Four Easy Steps to Freshen Sour or Rancid Blankets
When blankets are left too long in the washing machine or put away damp, they will almost always smell sour. They might even smell rancid. The odor ends up deep within the fibers, and simply laundering the covers one more time will not get rid of the problem. It takes more than just ordinary laundry detergent and a longer wash cycle to freshen the fabric. Use four easy steps to freshen smelly bed coverings, and start drying them immediately for a fresh clean scent that will last for days.
Begin by Soaking Them in Warm Water and White Vinegar
Blankets that smell sour should be soaked and rewashed as soon as possible. Fill the washing machine with the warmest water that is recommended for the fabric, and turn the dial to the longest wash cycle. As the wash tub is filling, add two to three cups of white vinegar. The vinegar should remove any trace of a sour or rancid odor, but additional steps can be taken to freshen the fabric. Let the covers soak for at least one hour before starting the washer and allowing it to continue through the wash, rinse and spin cycles. The vinegar will also work as a softening agent.
Wash the Blankets with Fabric Freshener and Detergent
After soaking the bed coverings for 60 minutes or longer and allowing the machine to run through all of the cycles, add fabric freshener to the wash tub according to label directions. After turning the dial to the longest setting, add the correct amount of your favorite laundry detergent. The source of the sour smell should be rinsed away.
Use Unscented Liquid Fabric Softener
Instead of using scented fabric softener, use unscented liquid. After using fabric freshener, adding scented softener would result in an odor that might be too strong and/or unpleasant. The blankets will come out soft and smelling fabulous. They can be dried in a gas or electric dryer, but an eco-friendly option will result in ultra-fresh fabrics.
Dry Them Outside for a Fresh Clean Scent
There is nothing quite like the scent of blankets that have been dried on an outdoor line. If possible, dry your blankets on an outdoor clothesline. Sunshine and a breeze will work like magic. What once smelled sour will smell like freshly washed and dried linens. As a bonus, they will be soft and incredibly comfy.
Source: http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageviewsec.asp?id=8
