Help!
I just received my new formal gown in the mail today for a cruise soon and time is running out. Keep in mind I have to get it altered. It was shipped via Express Mail from Hong Kong. The packaging didn't have an unusual smell, but boy when I opened the package, OMG! It smells like squidd/fish really bad. It is gorgeous, but I am at a loss as to what to do. What kind of dry cleaner business can get this scent out? Any certain equipment to ask for when looking around for cleaners? Any and all suggestions would be so appreciated!!!

Thanks,
Micki

i know that smell when i worked for a big company it seemed everything we got from over there had that yucky odor can you maybe hang it outside to air it out its most likely just the carton that was stinking i know after i put out the product the smell would go away. best of luck to you i hope someone here knows

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I had thought about putting it outside, but my husband thinks all the neighborhood cats and wild raccoons would try to get to it. The packaging was fine as far as smell goes. I drove all the way home with it and then opened it here at home. My husband and I put it in a garbage bag and tied it up to keep it from smelling the house up......is that not awful or what? I deperately want it to be ok. Love the dress!

The only thing I can think of is to put it in a sealed plastic container like a huge Rubbermaid one used for packing stuff. Put in a bowl of baking soda the bigger the better being careful not to get it on the dress. Keep it sealed for about 24 hours then open and change the baking powder.

This works well in rooms where rotten food was and in cars. The more baking soda the more it will absorb.

Have you called the company? This can't be the first time it has happened and they may have a simple solution.
Or your local extension service might be able to help.

Good Luck with this.

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Newspaper absorbs odors, too. I'd use both newspaper and baking soda.

I've washed some 'dry clean only' items, but you have to be careful and know you're taking a chance. Maybe talk to someone friendly at the dry cleaners and see if it might be all right.
My cats have peed on my laundry a few times, if I dump a bunch of (generic) oxiclean in the load & let it soak that gets rid of the odor.

Good luck!!

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Letting it air out is probably the best solution. Maybe in the garage or on a porch??

If you can put it in the dryer on low heat with a dryer sheet and a damp towel that might help also.

Hope you can get the smell out.

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I wouldn’t seal it in anything – the odor most likely is a formaldehyde resin and it needs to dissipate into the air but NOT inside as it can be an irritant. If you have a spray bottle with a very fine mist hang the dress outside and spray it lightly (you don’t want drops on the material) with WHITE vinegar (that smell will go away also taking much of the formaldehyde with it, the rest should air itself out) It might take a few sprayings an hour or so apart. The dress should be fine after a while. I would leave it out as much as possible during the day before leaving.

Formaldehyde is commonly used to keep fabrics from mildew etc. When it's faint people called it "That new clothes smell" but it can actually make people with allergies or asthma sick and they don't realize why.

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A few suggestions from a total unknowing amateur..

1) How about Febreeze? I think that they make it for clothes that don't leave stains or residue.

2) I agree--hang it in the garage overnights to air out (just make sure to remove it when starting the car or warming up the car for any length of time.

3) Put it in the dryer with scented fabric softener sheets on AIR DRY ONLY....


Hope something on the boards here works foro you!

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Since it's a formal gown, before I did anything, I would call a good dry cleaner and ask them what to do. Some fabrics will be stained forever if even a little drop of liquid gets on them.

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I think I would go the dry cleaning route too. I do know exactly the smell you are referring to and it is bad...

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I emailed the company and get this: They are sending another gown to replace the smelly one. They are also reembursing my dry cleaning bill. I'm in shell shock that they are doing this for me. I was heartbroken that I wasn't going to get to use this dress. I will let you know when I receive the replacement and its status. Thank you all so much!

Also thanks for the tips!!!!