Need Advice On BO

[mnreb]

Hi,
I don't know if this has ever been asked here before. I purchased a double breasted frock coat, logwood dyed. Great looking frock! The problem is that I put it on and walked by the wife and she said she smelled body odor. I never noticed it when I recieved it and tried it on. No, it was not me. It is the coat! Any ideas on how to get the smell out of the coat? One can say that it is more than authentic, but now that I noticed, I want it gone. Any advise would be so greatly appreciated.

Thank You,
Bill Feuchtenberger
Co.H
1st South Carolina Volunteers
"It Do"

[coastaltrash]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Turn it inside out and hang it up outside for a few days. Might want to stuff some dryer sheets in there while its outside depending on the nature of the smell.

But I can tell you, natural dyed jean does sometimes smell like that.

[Gary of CA]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Excuse me, but the more BO the better. Remember, you could smell the army before it got there.

[Spinster]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Purchase some white vinegar. Dilute it with water on a 1 to 1 ratio, and place in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the coat and hang it to dry in a well ventilated place. If you can isolate the area of the odor, spray that more heavily.

If it really is an all-over smell to the coat, as Patrick says, likely you are dealing with the effects of that particular dye and mordant.

Don't send this coat off to the dry cleaners though--the effects of modern drycleaning chemicals on period natural dyes are .....................

*unpredictable* :confused_

[Justin Runyon]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Ive always used a cold water and baking soda soak in the tub once a year or so, then a nice day hanging out on the line. Been doing it for 15 years with completely acceptable results.

[Secesh]

Re: Need Advice On BO

I do nothing to remove the smell...It's a combination of campfire smoke, black powder smoke, pipe tobacco, and jean cloth. Probably not much different, and far less than what the original fellow's uniforms smelled like.

[Old Reb]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Stink is authentic!

[vmi6265]

Re: Need Advice On BO

yea let it go after awhile it will get better.:D


Clint M Olmstead

15th Ark . Cleburnes Div.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Hallo!

If the coat was new, it should not have anyone's previous BO?

I would also add the therapeutic and laundering effects of sun and wind, and let it "air" in the sun and breeze for a spell.

Sometimes, a wet dog just smells like... a wet dog.

Curt

Who has dyed with rotten walnut hulls that smelled like an outhouse before and after the dyeing Mess

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Need Advice On BO

FWIW, IMHO, &c. brushing and airing work to a point, beyond which the accumulation of salt has worse effects than just an unpleasant odor. At that point I go with Mr. Runyon's approach and give the garment a soak, taking care that the water be neither hot nor cold. And I hang it up where the sun won't get at it.

So far I've only done this with a couple of sacks and a pair of trowsers, and they came out fine. Everything else is still in an intermediate stage of rankness.

[mnreb]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Thanks to all who have commented. I have a couple of things to check out. The coat to my knowledge was worn only a couple of times. It has not even started to fade yet. I just have the problem of knowing that the smell is there. Did not know it until wife said something. Guess she should not have quit smoking.
Thanks again!!!!!!!
Bill Feuchtenberger
Co.H
1st South Carolina Volunteeers
"It Do"

[PogueMahone]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Bill,

When I quit smoking I thought my car started smelling bad. It was the reek of cigarette smoke in the upholstery. Maybe the prior owner was a smoker not a sweathog?

Regardless, it is amazing what a couple of days hanging out in the sun will do to eliminate smells!

[sthabig]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Its best to let it air dry outside for a while, and even if that may fail, a few events and your own "scents" will blend with the other smells and become part of the coat and you will no longer notice it.


Tyler

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Need Advice On BO

Hallo!

Remember these two Civil War facts:

1. A skunk does not mind its own stink.

and

2. Officers and gentlemen have no stink.

:) :)

Curt