New Flannel Sheets Smell Like Gasoline After Washing

October 3, 2006 by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from Erin

I recently purchased new flannel sheets for my children's beds. My son has been sleeping (I washed it first) on it for the past two weeks and his asthma has been terrible. I was thinking it was from the outside air. However, I took their sheets off this morning and washed them again. When I took them out of the washer I noticed a very strong chemical smell, almost like gasoline. Is this possible? Would I be better off purchasing old second hand cotton sheets for my children to sleep on? 

Thank you for any advice or information you might have. 

Sincerely
Erin 

Debra's Answer

I've been sleeping on cotton flannel sheets for years. I've probably purchased at least two dozen sets of sheets from various places and they have all been completely odor-free. Except once. There was a pattern printed on the sheets that was with a kind of plastic-ish ink. It was laying on top of the fabric, not in the fabric. It was scratchy and smelly, so I just threw them away.

I don't know why your sheets smell, but it is not typical. I wouldn't decide against cotton flannel sheets based on that one experience.

You may be able to remove the odor by washing in baking soda or vinegar, or by hanging the sheets in the sun. If that doesn't work, toss these and get new sheets.