Need of help in removing odor from wool.

[Galb]

My father found his old tam and gave it to me this past weekend. I am very happy to receive it, but there is one problem with it. It smells of smoke, and very badly. Both my parents smoke, and until recently, began going outside to do so. On top of that, it has been stuck in a drawer for so many years that it is going to smell musty anyways. It needs to be cleaned. So, I need help. I do not know how to clean wool.

Do I have to send this to a dry cleaners? Can I do it at home? I don't want to ruin this tam as it is almost as old as I am, and was a wonderful gift. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks guys!

[auld argonian]

The decision as to whether or not to clean any artifact is a tricky one. You're faced with the problem of wanting to have the hat cleaned but can't be certain that any cleaning procedure will damage it...a very real possibility. Are you going to preserve the tam or do you want to wear it? That has a bearing on how to proceed.

The least radical thing to do would be at least to give the tam a good airing. Placing it in front of a fan set on low for a while usually helps some. Past that I'd consider finding a professional fabrics conservator and get their opinion. If the thing is precious to you, turning it over to the dry cleaners on the corner might not be the best course of action.

Best

AA

[thescot]

I can't see the tam, so I don't know what shape it's in, but if it's pure wool, a good washing in cold water won't hurt it, as long as you don't dry it or something like that. Just put it in cold water, soak it good, and make sure it's wet. Rinse it really well in the water. Just let it air dry.

You might try a little Febreeze and give it a turn in the fresh air outside first if you're afraid to wash it. Nothing like fresh air to remove the smoke. (We do that with our sweaters if we go somewhere that allows smoking inside.)

[Finn]

Something easy that won't damage it...
Water down some Woolite fabric softener and lightly spritz the Tam inside and out. Not at the same time, though. Hanging it outside on a breezy day is good too. I do recommend a cleaning though. AA is right in suggesting the advice of a pro.
Sunlight & fresh air do wonders.

[mbhandy]

Come on it's wool. Right?
Wash it in cold water. If your water is luke warm on cold add a few ice cubes and let it soak for 10 or 15 min. Rinse twice or until the water runs clean. Then let air dry. I wash my tams in the kitchen sink with Lanolin soap then stick on a coffee can and let dry (pull into shape if needed).

MrBill

[Jock Scot]

Another vote for the cold water treatment, the thing to remember is to let it dry in the breeze.

[Galb]

Thanks everyone.

I don't have anything that I cannot throw right into the wash, so I never knew how to take care of different fabrics. I'll soak it in cold water tonight and set it outside on my porch this week. I don't have a place that I can line dry it, although I guess I could hang it in one of my bathrooms and turn a fan on it. If I go for the porch treatment, it won't get a direct breeze, due to the way it is built on the apartment, but once again, there is the fan idea. Thanks everyone!

Now, should I use any soap, or just only water?

[turpin]

Try just the water first. And don't wring it to get the water out, squeeze it. Another drying option (better in warm weather) is to put it on and wear it till it's dry. It will conform better to yout head.

If the odor is still there then lanolin soap, or even woolite, would be the next step.

[bunchdescendant]

I agree that cold water with a little Woolite will spiff up your tam. After you rinse it out, blot it as dry as possible with towels.

The big thing is shaping it for drying. Take your time and don't rush.

Ray

[Galb]

Shaping? It's a circular disc type hat. How would one shape that? I mean, I'm going to sit it in front of a fan outside. I'm assuming you mean "just make sure it retains it original shape".

LOL. All this for a hat I won't wear often. Hahahaha!