Game plan for removing the smell from thrifted clothes?

Laundry

I've been scouring posts for hints about how to get the smell out of some clothes I got from goodwill. They're so stinky :(

I've already tried airing outside, a vinegar soak (I washed them beforehand and did a rinse cycle after the vinegar) and I don't think it really did anything. In fact one of the items smelled stronger to me 😂

The list I'm making for my next attempts are:

  • baking soda
  • oxiclean odorblasters (I'm not thrilled it's scented... I know there's an unscented oxiclean product, but is it the same thing?)
  • washing soda/sodium percarbonate
  • borax
  • lysol sanitizer
  • enzyme cleaner? (I see these recommended but sometimes it seems like the product isn't meant for clothing?)
  • ammonia

Any suggestions as to the order to try these out? I was thinking of doing soaks as opposed to adding them to the washing machine (except maybe the baking soda). Product suggestions welcome.

I'm not knowledgeable about laundry stuff so I'm also a bit worried I could inadvertently harm some of the fabrics (although it's just polyester and cotton).

Posted Jan 14, 2026, 3:14 AM UTC

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