hi friends.

i got some nice linen sheets from ebay that were mislabeled - they said new but were actually gently used. i no longer buy used fabrics because of how ubiquitous fabric softener and scented detergents have become.

rant: 10 years ago if something arrived smelling of fragrance, one or three washes would get rid of it. now the science has made fragrance so "sticky" i can't get it out and even touching it transfers the smell to my hands for days. this matters as it gives me migraines and nausea.

ok rant over.

the 100% linen sheets REEK of laundry fragrances. the seller will give me a refund but i want to try to keep them if possible - they are really nice.

here's what i've tried so far. i have not done any soaking or pre soaking for longer than 45 min at one time. my washer refuses to allow a soak and i haven't had access to a bathtub. i should be able to use a bathtub soon tho.

(inevitably someone will tell me that i don't know how to use my washer so here's why that's wrong: my machine drains after about 45 min, regardless of what i do, even if i unplug it, and it doesn't have a soak function. i have spoken with the manufacturer. there is no workaround.)

anyway here's what i've tried so far. the smell is just as strong as when the sheets arrived.

• enzyme laundry booster for removing smells
• oxi clean
• borax
• multiple washes without any detergent and/or added vinegar (once in the softener cycle and once in the main wash cycle)
• wash with my unscented detergent a couple of times
• wash using washing soda, i think only once

help!