stinky wool

[buckracks7]

Dry cleaning has it's own toxic smell. I bought a shirt that had been dry cleaned, and putting it in a bag of leaves got rid of the odor. The cat litter suggestion sounds feasible also.

[Kevin Dill]

I don't think you'll find any shortcut to eliminate the odor. Hanging them outside is simply the best route. Don't think the dry cleaning will help, as I've done that before with zero effect.

I used to own a fine set of Sleeping Indian wool. My hunting partner had KOM wool. We were in BC hunting moose and staying in an old cabin which had a little woodstove. That stove smoked like crazy and our wools took on the odor. We got them wet from hunting in the rain, and that just seemed to set the odor deeper. By the end of the hunt we both smelled like a wet fire-pit. My stuff smelled so bad when I got home that I had to leave it outside. The dry cleaners didn't help, and they commented how impossible it is to get set-in odors out of wool. They told me the only way to get them scent-free was to hang them in a breezy area and give them time. It took a couple months.

[2bird]

Ok,

I filled a tub with cold water, 1# of baking soda, 1/2# of borax and about 2 cups of white vinegar. I let the stuff soak for about 4-6 hours then put them in the washer machine set on heavy duty load with 1 cup of washing soda 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar. That cut the smell by a lot. I hung them up in the yard and they still have a faint smell but it seem like it's getting better, except my wool blanket, it appears to be order free!!!!

[2bird]

Update, I just went outside to smell them now that they are all dry. I would say everything is 95% odor free!!!! I think I will let them stay outside for a few more days then drench them in fresh earth scent cover and I'm thinking they should be good to go! Thanks for the tips guys

[toddster]

I would dust them with baking soda, and let them hang.  That should take care of most of it

[2bird]

Well what I have done so far + letting them hang out side for a week had completely removed all the mothball odor.

[Wheels2]

Good to hear.  For future storage, get a bag of cedar chips used for rodent bedding.  I place a handful inside of a nylon stocking or sock and place this in the pockets.

[Caleb the bow breaker]

Man that sucks.  Mothballs are usually composed of Napthalene which will "evaporate" completely given enough time.  pretty much your only option is to air them out.  Warmer temps will speed things up so if you have  hot barn or garage versus outside in cool night air.  Dont go too hot though as that could effect the clothing.  So dont put them in the dryer or whatever.

C

[KSdan]

Ozone machine.  

Wonder if deer will even care.  Sure does not smell like "human".

[2bird]

Good idea Wheels2

[Bjorn]

White vinegar and or Borax has worked well for me mix it in with detergent in the wash cycle or hand wash Mix the borax in water to make sure it dissolved. Borax works wonders on clogged drains too. Dry cleaning will cost more than you paid for the pants and not eliminate the odor! LOL
And for future storage do what wheels suggests. I always put broken arrow bits in my feather stash too.

[Wandering Archer]

Originally posted by 2bird:
Well what I have done so far + letting them hang out side for a week had completely removed all the mothball odor.

Would you mind doing me a favor and wear it in the rain, or dunk it in a bucket of water, then smell it?
I thought a process I used worked, until I wore it in a light sprinkle, and pretty much drove everyone out of camp with the smell that came back.

[2bird]

hmm I haven't thought about it coming back if it gets wet, I will be testing it out asap

[mlsthmpsn]

I know our dogs still smell of skunk when they get wet.... It's been 3 months.