Musty sheets?

mssaint · July 2011

So the post about what you are avoiding made me think about our linen closet and our musty sheets. Our sheets stink. I have tried everything to get them to smell fresh but I think that it is a lost cause. So I am trashing them and we are starting fresh with two new sets of sheets (which we actually had already but had never opened).

Now that the big pile of musty sheets is gone, the shelf they live on actually smells fine, so it was in the sheets. I am planning to wipe it down this weekend, though, to get rid of any residual mustiness.

How can I avoid them getting musty again?

And some hair product that DH uses makes his pillowcases yellow and gross. Other than washing them more than once a week, how can I keep them looking fresh?

QueSrah · July 2011

Do they sit in the closet for long (getting musty from sitting somewhere enclosed), or just smell funky from use? Maybe you need a different detergent to fight your DH's hair product? (What about using oxy clean on his pillow cases?) Could you try baking soda or a dryer sheet in the closet to help with storage odors?

LondonMouse · July 2011

Is it possible that you are putting them back in the closet when they are not completely dry? I'm not sure what else could cause a musty smell. You could try putting out a dish of baking soda for a couple days to let it absorb any odors.

SecretServiceWife · July 2011

Do you let them sit in the washer too long? I find that unless I take them out right away (like, within 30 minutes of finishing) they smell funky.

Otherwise, you could add some vinegar to the wash and that will freshen them. As for stains and other grossness, you might try adding a couple splashes of shout when you add your detergent (don't just spray it on, just dump some from the container into the machine).

Hey Jellisy · July 2011

Vinegar in the rinse water really helps sheets and towels. I just add a 1/4 cup to the final rinse and it seems to get a lot of the smells out. We don't use fabric softener (silly crunchy ways...) but I know that some are formulated for getting out tough spells. I would wipe the shelf down with vinegar and water as well and reline before adding the new sheets. A little sachet of lavender or a box of baking soda on the shelf might help as well.

ch ch ch chia · July 2011

Also, try sun drying them... I guess the sunlight has some properties that kills certain bacteria?

PP's are right, though.... you have to get the laundry directly from the washer and put it into the dryer. Especially in this weather. And, make sure you set your dryer to "extra dry"... especially for the big items.

mssaint · July 2011

I think they got gross in our old apartment and are beyond redemption. All good advice though for moving forward.

kastle · July 2011

re: hair product making pillow cases gross: I feel you. my husband used to use a cream on his face from the dermatologist & it ruined many a pillow case. i have been unable to get the stains out.

MrsPhilDunphy · July 2011

I sometimes throw a used dryer sheet in between them though, which makes them Bounce-y, which is nice.

bh2720 · July 2011

for your H's pillow case issue, you could just buy several extra pillow cases and have him change it every couple days (or everyday?), rather than just once a week?

dawnmichie · July 2011

What about keeping some of those silicon packets with your sheets in the linen closet? You know, they come in new purses, shoes, clothes...I find them everywhere. I actually have no idea what they do, but I've always assumed it keeps things fresh by absorbing moisture.

Musty sheets?

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