Question from jenbooks
Hi Debra, as I become more aware of chemicals in my environment, I am aware that some pretty silk shirts I have purchased at high end thrift shops in NYC were dry cleaned. I’ve actually washed them but I can still smell the dry cleaning chemical. Is there any good way to remove it or is it, like fabric softener, bonded to the fabric for a long time?
Thanks.
Debra’s Answer
This is one of the problems with thrift store clothes. While it’s good for the environment to buy used clothing that is still serviceable, they may have residues of perfume, pesticides, and many other unknown chemicals.
Dry cleaning chemicals, however, are extremely volatile, and would evaporate complete fairly quickly after being cleaned (like within days). I can’t think of a reason why it would be bonded to the fabric.
Are you sure it’s a dry cleaning chemical?
Try hanging them out in the sun for a few days and see if that takes care of it.
