"pet store" smell on clothes - help!

i don't own any noodles but my bf has 4. i really do like them, and the ferrets themselves don't really have a smell to me (they just smell like animal if i stick my face in one, less potent than many dog breeds).

i don't know how to bring it up, because initially i did not realize the source of the smell of clothes that were left out, but there's an unmistakeable "pet store" ammonia-type smell on clothes after being in the room. i brought my suitcase back home and had to re-wash clean clothes with vinegar because of it, it's very potent.

eventually we want to live together, but i cannot stand the thought of any fabric left out (couch, rugs, etc, not just clothes) sucking in that smell. what could it be and how could i fix it? we already plan on keeping them in one room to free roam because i don't live in a way conducive to ferret-proofing the whole place, but i assume that would be an office or some room we would spend time in and i don't want to come out smelling like a pet store!

i also don't know how to bring up the smell and would appreciate help with that if anyone else had experienced something similar