Smelly pants
December 4, 2015 1:01 PM Subscribe
I just got a pair of pants back from the dry cleaner, and they still, uh, smell. Is there anything I can do?
The last time I wore these pants, I had a painful UTI, and while I cleaned up after myself to the best of my ability, the pants still carried enough of a urine smell that I brought them to the cleaner's. I got my pants back today, and the crotch still carries a faint, but noticeable, stench.
The pants are a cotton twill/light gabardine blend, and they were made to measure. The person who made them for me explicitly told me that I couldn't machine-wash them.
Should I get these dry cleaned again to eradicate the smell, or is there anything I can do on my end?
The last time I wore these pants, I had a painful UTI, and while I cleaned up after myself to the best of my ability, the pants still carried enough of a urine smell that I brought them to the cleaner's. I got my pants back today, and the crotch still carries a faint, but noticeable, stench.
The pants are a cotton twill/light gabardine blend, and they were made to measure. The person who made them for me explicitly told me that I couldn't machine-wash them.
Should I get these dry cleaned again to eradicate the smell, or is there anything I can do on my end?
You can get something like Euclan or Soak and soak them in tepid/room temperature water. These do not need to be rinsed out, so after soaking for 15 or 20 minutes, just gently press between a towel and lay flat to dry. I usually point a fan at things that I am drying this way.
posted by sockermom at 1:17 PM on December 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by sockermom at 1:17 PM on December 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
You could try spritzing it with vodka spray, which neutralizes odors and doesn't leave a residual fragrance like Febreeze would.
posted by chatongriffes at 1:30 PM on December 4, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by chatongriffes at 1:30 PM on December 4, 2015 [12 favorites]
I wouldn't hesitate to handwash a fabric like this with Woolite or similar. I'd also try the soak cleaners sockermom suggested. Either way, roll/press in clean towels to get most of the water out and then dry flat.
posted by quince at 2:09 PM on December 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by quince at 2:09 PM on December 4, 2015 [4 favorites]
Ha! I came to post about vodka/water spray, but I see I'm the third in line to do so!
I learned this from a book Joan Rivers wrote. Have used it a lot over the years because I am a very sweaty dude who routinely has to wear work clothes more than once on work trips.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:19 PM on December 4, 2015
I learned this from a book Joan Rivers wrote. Have used it a lot over the years because I am a very sweaty dude who routinely has to wear work clothes more than once on work trips.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:19 PM on December 4, 2015
If they're not white or cream, a soak in vinegar water and rinse in cold water, then air dry with rubbing alcohol or vodka spray will absolutely get rid of the smell. Vinegar is amazing, but not for very light clothing!
posted by zinful at 2:25 PM on December 4, 2015
posted by zinful at 2:25 PM on December 4, 2015
A gentle wash with a no-rinse cleaner like Soak or Eucalan should be fine. (Woolite's OK but does require rinsing and isn't nearly as gentle as its advertising suggests.) From the sound of that fabric you'd probably even be fine using just the spin cycle on a washing machine to get the water out. (It's even possible to do the soaking step in some machines, but test how it works without the clothes you care about so you're not surprised by an agitation cycle you don't expect.) Agitation and high temperatures are almost certainly the reason you shouldn't wash this item, not exposure to water.
posted by asperity at 7:15 PM on December 4, 2015
posted by asperity at 7:15 PM on December 4, 2015
vinegar is pretty good at neutralizing urine, and I would give it a try.
posted by theora55 at 7:18 PM on December 4, 2015
posted by theora55 at 7:18 PM on December 4, 2015
Scent Killer is my go-to, well, scent killer. It freshened up the sofa that our dog has slept on for four years so well that you wouldn't know we live with a dog.
posted by Beti at 7:51 PM on December 4, 2015
posted by Beti at 7:51 PM on December 4, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
You have some options.
1. A fabric deodorizer-Febreeze for example.
2. Hang outside and let fresh air circulate (I might hang them with the legs apart, to get maximum air flow.
3. Sprinkle with baking soda and let sit for awhile. Then dust off.
Good luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:10 PM on December 4, 2015 [5 favorites]