- Pine oil is found in most homes with the household cleaning supplies. What some do not know is that pine oil can be used for laundry purposes as well. Pine oil is a great stain fighter and odor eliminator. Up to a cup of full strength pine oil can be used for laundry. Pine oil is safe for whites and colorfast garments.
- Light odor is fairly easy to remove from clothing. Try using pine oil diluted with water in a spray bottle. Hang the article of clothing across a chair, door, on a clothes line, or spread it out on a flat surface. Spray the entire garment with the pine oil solution. In the winter, turn on the heat to help the garment dry. In the warmer months, a fan will help the garment dry. Once the garment is dry, sniff the fabric to make sure the mildew smell is gone. If there is still a faint mildew odor, spray the garment again and let dry.
- Strong mildew odor is often difficult to remove. Removal of such strong mildew odors often requires at least two washings. Soak the garment alone in a basin, sink or tub with a cup of pine oil and warm water for about two hours. Sniff the garment, if the mildew odor is anyway near as strong as it was before soaking the garment, soak the garment again. If a good portion of the mildew odor has left the garment, load it into the washing machine with a capful of detergent and another cup of pine oil. Wash in warm water again. When the wash cycle is finished, smell the garment. If the garment still has a mildew smell, launder or soak it again. Place the garment in the dryer and dry it thoroughly.
