How To Rid Your Vintage Fashion Garments of Mysterious Odors

Why Does Vintage Fabric Acquire Strange Odors?

Any textile that experiences long-term storage or long-term use and aging can develop smells. This is because of the material the item is made of, the things it experienced while being worn, and the material of the container in which it was stored.

For example, human body oil sebum can set into fabric along with smoke from cigarettes, perfume, or the scents and odors of the environment in which it was worn. On top of this, materials go through chemical changes over time primarily due to oxidation (where oxygen breaks down the molecules of a substance over time). 

Human body oils (sebum) can also oxygenate and turn into different volatile compounds that have stronger, stranger odors. The latter is likely the old clothing smell you can be hit with in a particularly stocked thrift store. The way the garment was treated chemically will also have an impact on its scent.

The material that the garments were stored in also matters. Cardboard can transfer smells to the garment. The humidity of the storage location also matters, because sometimes garments can acquire mold and mildew.

Is the Smell From Vintage Fabric Dangerous?

Vintage fabric smells can be unpleasant but aren't often inherently dangerous. However, a strong musty smell can indicate mold or mildew, which may irritate your lungs, eyes, or skin, so it's worth airing out and treating before trying to wear.

How to Treat Your Vintage Clothes for Odors

Follow the steps below to treat your vintage fashion garments for odors and soil. 

Once you identify the treatment method for the garment, make sure you try to test the technique on a small part of the piece. This can prevent something from going horribly wrong, like dyes bleeding out or the entire piece getting damaged. If the test goes awry, feel free to return to the drawing board and even consult a dry cleaner.
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1. Identify the Fabric

Different vintage fabrics require different cleaning approaches because their fiber structure, dyes, finishes, and age-related deterioration respond differently to water, heat, agitation, and cleaning chemicals.

2. Inspect Your Items for Damage

Look for weakening fibers, discoloration, holes, loose seams, or fragile embellishments. Anything with beading, sequins, or unique applications needs to be handled with extra care. Fabric can weaken over time, so it can be much more fragile than it appears.

What to Consider Before Using Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster

Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster is intended for colorfast, machine-washable clothing and is not recommended for delicates or non-machine-washable wool or silk. Hand washing can always be a safe option for delicates, non-machine-washable wool and silk. Dirty Labs' Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent is an excellent detergent for handwashing; check out this guide to all things handwashing.

●   Use cool or lukewarm water when appropriate.
●   Use a gentle detergent.
●   Avoid excessive agitation for fragile vintage fabrics.
●   Hang the item to dry in a well-ventilated space.

3. Air the Fabric Out

The gentlest method is to let the air do its work first. Hang the garment in a well-ventilated place, or even outside in nice weather (as long as you don't forget about it). This technique can work wonders on even the mustiest of pieces.

Indirect airflow and shade are the best strategy for this, though, because you don't want the wind to be aggressively blowing your precious garment. You also don't want the sun to beat down on it for a prolonged period and potentially fade the fabric or damage any adhesive.
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4. Start With a Soak & Wash Accordingly 

Next it's time to follow the care instructions on the label, or follow your best assessment if there are not tags. Feel free to consult your local vintage fashion expert or dry cleaner if you are unsure what the piece is made of and the tags have been lost to the ether.

Make sure to dose the detergent at the exact right amount for the washing process that is best for your garment. You don't want to add too much detergent and be left with a filmy residue in your textiles. Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Handwash and Delicates detergent is an excellent option for those pieces that shouldn't go in the washing machine.

5. Consider Using a Booster If Needed

Soaking in Dirty Labs' Bio Enzyme Laundry Detergent is an excellent method for loosening the compounds in the fabric that are causing these musty odors. You can also add Dirty Labs' Bio Enzyme Laundry Booster in with the aforementioned detergent or hand wash to breaking down yellowing and strong odors.

This is because the Bio Enzyme formula contains deoxyribonuclease (DNA-ase), which targets biological residues such as sweat, sebum, and blood, along with sodium percarbonate, an oxygen-based cleaning agent that helps oxidize and remove organic staining (this helps to brighten colors and whiten whites).

This formula can help with odors associated with old sweat, skin oils, and other biological residue trapped in the fibers: the enzymes break large organic molecules into smaller, more water-soluble pieces that can be carried away during washing, while the oxygen-based chemistry helps further break down odor-associated compounds. This rids the garment of odor-causing residue instead of simply masking the odors with fragrance.

6. Steam When Appropriate

Steaming can be a gentle way to freshen appropriate vintage garments, helping release odors and wrinkles without the agitation of washing. However, avoid steaming fragile or water-sensitive materials like antique silk, velvet, leather, or textiles with unstable dyes, and always test an inconspicuous area first.

7. Wash or Replace the Storage Materials

Lastly, you should consider washing or replacing old storage materials such as tissue paper, garment bags, cardboard boxes, or fabric covers, which can absorb odors and transfer them back onto vintage textiles. Fresh, clean, acid-free storage materials can help prevent odors from returning and protect the garment as it ages.

FAQ: Vintage Fashion Laundering