does anyone have any ideas?

[rootofnewt]

I bought a skirt from an Indian import shop last year. After the first time I wore it, I noticed that it reeks of rubber. The smell appears to come from the cotton portions--it's a cotton and rayon skirt. The smell doesn't emanate from the waistband at all. I've tried everything to get rid of the smell--milk soaks, borax soaks, baking soda soaks, washing soda soaks. Nothing has helped. I've tried letting it air out in airy spaces for *weeks*. The smell remains. I've spritzed it down with alcohol and water--no luck. I even tossed it, slightly damp, into a barely heated dryer for 20 minutes--no luck. It's been tossed into bins with charcoal, tossed into bins with newspaper, tossed into bins with baking soda, left in cupboards with bowls of vinegar. The smell will not depart.

What the hell can I do? Is this skirt salvageable? The matching blouse doesn't reek at all.

Comments

[firinel.livejournal.com]

:/ you've done every single thing I'd have thought of.
The last thing I can think to suggest is take it to a professional drycleaner and ask them if there's anything they can do about it.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

There isn't a safe drycleaner in town. As a last resort, I'll try to schedule two trips to DC to visit a safe drycleaner.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Have you put it out in the sunshine? I know doing that with pillows will get rid of smells.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I did that last summer, yes.

[ismene.livejournal.com]

If you douse it with Febreeze or let a cat roll around on it, you won't even notice the rubber smell!

Oh, you wanted helpful suggestions? Sorry, all out of those today. Brain went on vacation last week :P

[briskpepper.livejournal.com]

Rub them with cheese-dogs. you won't smell anything but cheese dogs. i swear.

[bandhiaduit.livejournal.com]

are you allergic to "Nature's Miracle"? Maybe if it's an organice solvent or sizing thing, perhaps rinsing it in that product will help...?

[lupa.livejournal.com]

is it black?
if so, try coffee grounds.

if not, the only thing i can suggest is something you'll probably be allergic to - unscented spray deodorant. :/ sorry.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

It's blue. And deodorant would discolor the rayon, plus it's technically just going to mask the odor. I want the odor gone. :/

[lupa.livejournal.com]

some deodorants have neutralizer, not just masking. i discovered that when i was making perfumes.

that does remind me, though! have the basins you've been soaking in been stainless steel?

[krasota.livejournal.com]

yep. stainless steel or enamel coated steel.

for the charcoal, I used a plastic rubbermaid bin that does not and has never smelled of rubber.

[lupa.livejournal.com]

damn, then i don't know what to suggest; sorry :(

[krasota.livejournal.com]

I contemplated exposing it to smoke and then airing it out. The smoke particles *could* bond to the rubbery smell ones. It's a long skirt, though, so taking it to a filthy club is out. Most of my friends who smoke indoors all have cats and that's not an option.

I think I might have to make plans to take it to a safe dry cleaner.

Another option would be finding a cleaner that specializing in smoke repairs. An ozone chamber *could* remove the smell, but at what cost?

[hnybny.livejournal.com]

If it had a man made rubber or plastic (IE:Rayon) mixture in it, it could be outgassing. If so, you're stuck. It may have been made with different fibers than the top as the pieces are almost never made in the same batch.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Rayon is heavily processed wood pulp/cellulose. I've never had rayon smell like this. The smell seems to be coming from the cotton, anyhow, which makes up the bulk of the skirt (small rayon inset panels).

[evilrumor.livejournal.com]

Dip it in blood. Lots and lots of blood.

Stinky Skirt

[(Anonymous)]

Soak it in Scotch, a good single malt. On second thought would be cheaper to buy a new outfit. OK Toucan?

Re: Stinky Skirt

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Dad, you're very weird. I love you.