Getting rid of musty smell in curtains?

seashore22

I've just received some curtains from Ebay in a 1980's Laura Ashley fabric. It's fairly hard to get hold of and I need it to add to some existing curtains to make them bigger. I love the design and it goes perfectly in our new extension, so I'm motivated to make this work.

The problem is that although they are in good condition with no marks or fading, they smell very musty and I need to get rid of the stink. Will anything work? I've hung them over an airer in the garden, but not confident that this will work.

They are chintz too, so I'm fairly sure washing them would be a bad idea.

Any suggestions?

MockTurtle

I've tried Febreze before on musty smells, but it doesn't get rid of them altogether. I have heard that distilled white vinegar gets rid of musty smells too, but haven't got around to trying it on an old coat of my FiL's yet. You'd probably want to water it down a bit in a spray bottle and then spritz the curtains all over.

When it's dry, vinegar doesn't leave a scent.

seashore22

Thanks. I guess it's just trial and error to see what works.

rach_k

I'd leave them outside in the frost for a few days, then if they still smell perhaps try putting them in a bag/box with a load of bicarb.

lstar337

rach_k wrote: »

I'd leave them outside in the frost for a few days, then if they still smell perhaps try putting them in a bag/box with a load of bicarb.

I was going to say sprinkle with bicarb and vacuum off after a while.

Or use a shake n vac type product if you want to add a little scent to it.

Zola.

Petrol and a match


Or else lots of beating and airing. Theres probably lots of dust etc in there that needs beaten out

forestwn6

Dry clean. Expensive but effective

seashore22

If I thought dry cleaner would work I would pay for that. The curtains are unlined, short and just one width each so they shouldn't be too expensive.

I think they must have been kept in a musty environment as even the box they came in smelt of it.

seashore22

I've phoned the dry cleaners and they don't hold out much hope of getting rid of the smell.

I'm starting to think that Zola's first suggestion is the right one (burn them). That or send them back to the seller.

Gutted because I really need this fabric.

lstar337

seashore22 wrote: »

I've phoned the dry cleaners and they don't hold out much hope of getting rid of the smell.

I'm starting to think that Zola's first suggestion is the right one (burn them). That or send them back to the seller.

Gutted because I really need this fabric.

Both airing and bicarb will likely get rid of the smell, why have you ruled them out?

seashore22

I will give it a try. It already smells better after a few hours in the cold and sun. If I try the bicarb method I probably can't send them back which is why I hesitated.

Thanks for the advice.