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Cleaning Up:  stinky dishcloths  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 31 2010 : 08:53:30 AM
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| Yuck! How do I keep my dishcloths from smelling so yucky! (Short of throwing them into the washer right after I use them) The regular washing doesn't get the smell out, and actually the other clothes start smelling of them too. Help! :) |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2900 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2010 : 09:55:52 AM
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| Soak in vinegar before washing, & put vinegar in the rinse cycle as well. |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2010 : 8:03:17 PM
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I use vinegar as well. White vinegar...works great!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13645 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13645 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2010 : 9:42:31 PM
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Sheila,
I discovered that the Dawn dish detergent I was using made my dishcloths smell awful.
I changed to Seventh Generation dish detergent . . . made all the difference. I like the lavendar floral and mint version. My daughter discovered the same thing. She uses Mrs. Meyers dish detergent and has no more smelly dishcloths.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665
From my Heart - www.fromacelticheart.blogspot.com
From my Hands - www.cjscreations-ceejay.blogspot.com
From my Hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2011 : 2:44:50 PM
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I use Mrs. Meyers as well...it is better smell wise...and I love the scents too
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Jan 04 2011 : 5:42:25 PM
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I will only add that you should not use a dishcloth more than one day...then throw it in the wash. Smelly odors are likely going to be from mildew/mold or food bits (gag). :0) I use 7th generation or Dr Bronner's. :0D
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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star-schipp
True Blue Farmgirl
942 Posts
Starletta
Middletown
Indiana
USA
942 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2011 : 05:38:53 AM
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If you think it might be from bacteria, you can microwave the wet dishcloth for a minute or so to get it hot enough to kill the germs.
We can do no great things; only small things with great love - Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Master Food Preserver |
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Mother Hen
True Blue Farmgirl
604 Posts
Cindy
Peck
ID
USA
604 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2011 : 8:28:54 PM
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Hey Sheila, Ours used to smell also, but hubby said his grandmother used to take her dish cloth and hang it on the side of the porcelain sink and it wouldn't smell.
BTW: Hope you are all settled in VT now. 
Cindy
FARMGIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING!!!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalms 34:1 |
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vintagejenta
True Blue Farmgirl
83 Posts
Sarah
Walden
NY
USA
83 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 1:12:42 PM
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Soap can mold (which is why front-loading washers can get stinky). So when I'm done with my sponges and dish cloths I ALWAYS rinse them thoroughly to get the soap out, wring them out, and hang them to dry somewhere.
I've heard the microwave things works as a disinfectant for sponges and plastic cutting boards, too. Haven't tried it yet though. Boiling them in stainless steel might also help, as would a vinegar or lemon juice rinse (white vinegar, not cider). Good luck!
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http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com |
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OneHippieChick
True Blue Farmgirl
195 Posts
Susan
Huntsville
AL
USA
195 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2011 : 01:08:18 AM
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I always use 2-4 drops of bleach in my dishpan while washing dishes. Make sure you rinse the dishcloth well when you're done, wring it as dry as you can, and hang it somewhere to air dry and it won't smell. You just need enough bleach in the water to neutralize or kill the bacteria in the water, but not enough to bleach your dishcloths white.
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Susan ~ Farmgirl Sister #1978
Fiber artist, spins, knits, crochets, sews, weaves, quilts, soap maker, as well as various beauty products and some natural cosmetics
Working on getting my Etsy website and blog up and running - stay tuned!
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3littlebrds
Farmgirl at Heart
3 Posts
Tracy
Naperville
IL
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2011 : 8:15:51 PM
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| I'm with CeeJay - when I switched to eco-friendly dishwashing liquid, the problem went away! I now stock up on Seventh Generation when Whole Foods has it on sale! |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9402 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9402 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2011 : 06:52:00 AM
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I always rinse mine in cold water and hang over the edge of my porcelain sink. Don't have a smell problem. I use them for a couple days before washing since they dry out in between.
farmgirl sister#43
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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Judyr808
Farmgirl in Training
23 Posts
Judy
Hood River
Oregon
USA
23 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2011 : 5:32:44 PM
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The trick is to hang it where it will dry. I use a little bleach in wash water too.
Love & Light |
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fiddlegirl89
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Kayla
Dunnville
KY
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2011 : 12:16:11 PM
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I made (knit/crocheted) enough dishcloths so that we could use a new one every day for at least a week, and we keep a bucket of water/vinegar mix under the sink. Every night after everything in the kitchen is clean, we throw the rag of the day into the bucket. Then when we're ready to wash towels/rags, we dump the whole bucket into the washer. Works pretty well for us... :)
http://www.custerfamilyfarm.com
Direct link to my blog: http://custerfamilyfarm.com/blog1/index.php?blog=3 |
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cjeanjellybean
True Blue Farmgirl
71 Posts
Cassie Jean
Plant City
FL
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 8:15:58 PM
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Very helpful suggestions, ladies! We've found that the water itself contributes to the smell of our dishcloths down here...maybe the bacteria in our well water? We are ordering a Big Berkey water filter soon, to protect our bodies, but that won't help with our smelly laundry issue! We've found that drying on the line in the sun helps all sorts of smells, especially dish cloths & cloth diapers.
~Cassie Jean
Farmgirl #1356
" Stand still & let God move." ~The Isaacs |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9402 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9402 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 06:07:06 AM
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Kayla~
What a great idea! I have been making loads of dishcloths lately.
Maybe I should keep some for myself! 
farmgirl sister#43
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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Edited by - levisgrammy on Mar 11 2011 06:08:55 AM |
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embchicken
True Blue Farmgirl
1487 Posts
Elaine
Ocean
NJ
USA
1487 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 2:06:06 PM
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Microwaving with a little lemon juice helps tremendously.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Gandhi |
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Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 08:57:23 AM
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I squeeze as much water out of my sponges and dishclothes as I can be for hanging them by the sink. Seems to work for me!
Sister #1213
Handmade and vintage goodies
www.thecapriciouscorgi.etsy.com
Knit on with confidence and hope through all crises. ~ Elizabeth Zimmermann |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - Mar 18 2011 : 12:01:59 PM
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I like the crocheted/knitted ones best as well. Also I always hang it on the water faucet (hangs over the sink) to dry. I think that helps a lot. However, hubby is bad about throwing it in the sink and leaving it there, that's when it spoils and smells awful!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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AmericanHwyFlower
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
A.R.
Yorba Linda
CA
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Apr 03 2011 : 9:18:05 PM
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I find that letting it dry out as much as possible is the key
Cherish Each Day |
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Tammyb
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Tammy
Bluffton
Ohio
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 05 2011 : 06:20:30 AM
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I use a new dish cloth and towel every day.
Placing the used ones over a basket to dry before
putting them in the laundry basket.
Plus do use vinegar in your rinse cycle -- it works
Tammyb
sister chick #541
Live to leave a legacy
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Cleaning Up: stinky dishcloths |
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stinky dishcloths
