Linens From My Grandma’s Closet

I have had this problem for years. I put them away smelling good & they get a rancid smell (I have a sensitive nose) I was just thinking that maybe it was the contact paper that I line my shelves with, but after reading all of the above I'm thinking maybe not. Sure wish someone can figure this out.

I agree with Tracie I have lived in many different houses and always have the same smelly sheet problem....I put them away lovely fresh and clean and then before I make up the guest bed have to rewash!!!!!! I thought it was something I was doing but it must just be the nature of the beast :)

I've been dealing with the same issues through 4 different homes and the shelving is never the same. I hate having to re-wash sheets before a guest comes, otherwise I have to directly put them on the bed right out of the wash. Anyone know the root of the problem??

Has anyone thought that the shelves may be to blame? Pressed wood shelves contain Formaldehyde. Which leaves off a odor. I am afraid to put my towels back on these shelves without covering the shelves with something. Someone said wallpaper works but i am wondering if shelf liner would work?

My grandmom's linens were never put in a dryer. On laundry day we would wash them two at a time, and hang them to dry outside in the sunlight.

Before adding the sheets to the tub, I was taught to mix in a quarter cup bleach and a quarter cup of Tide. The sheets were agitated for 30 minutes. And then rinsed 3 times before they were hung out. Grandmom had 10 sheets, all flat ("because only the lazy and the vulgar use elastic bands")

They had to dry completely, and even then were left out to disinfect in the sunlight. I would sprinkle them with distilled water and put them in her chest freezer overnight. Ironing them was a bitch. And she had rules about that too: halved, halved, halved, and then in thirds...and pressed each time to make the appropriate creases.

yeah - same as Liz; I have a good washer/dryer. I use perfume free detergent and perfume free dryer sheets and store when fully dried - they always have a dusty smell when I know they are kept in a nice dry area. I never tried bagging them like some of the comments above - I am willing tot try anything I can't even throe these away and buy new ones - these ARE relatively new. Can it be the material?

I'd like some ideas on how to prevent that smell, period. I use perfume-free and softener-free detergent in hot water with a little bit of bleach for my bed linens. They come out of the dryer smelling great, but after a few days in storage they have that nasty smell anyway. Linens are stored on a shelf in my closet--they go in fully dry, and have the closet is clean and has good air circulation. I use lavender spray to mask it, but would rather get rid of it.

Any ideas?

Is linen supposed to stink? I bought some new linen napkins and when i took them out of the plastic bag, they smelled bad, like something died. I don't think my family used linen when I was a kid, just cotton for sheets, towels, etc. Could that smell be normal? I bought them online, they were an impulse item I got while ordering some things I needed. Did I get some kind of old or ruined stock? They feel clean and the paper labels are unsoiled. I've never smelled anything like that one something new before.

Lavender is great! My grandma recommended that we plant a small lavender scrub near the window of my room, and each morning when I wake up it smells great!

Bonnie- it's important that the lavender is fresh. If it's not terribly old, you can smoosh the lavender sachets to break out some new scent, but you really need to change out the sachets every 3 months or so.

I've had a ton of lavender for 5 years now (since my wedding), and I have sachets all over the place. I still get that smell, though. I mean, two in my closet does nothing...should I make ten more? stick them between all the linens? (I've washed the walls, too, just so you know).

Oh, Limpy Linens, I struggle with the same thing! Ivy, I look forward to trying your simple trick!