I have some teal blue table napkins that I really like.
The weird problem is that when they are ironed a horrible fishy smell is released. I know it isn't from me as nothing else does this and they have been warm washed and line dried. It happens every time I iron them and then as they cool down the smell disappears again.
Makes me wonder what has been added to the fabric. They are French Country brand and made in China.
Any ideas?

I can dimly remember from the days when I sewed that some fabrics emitted unpleasant smells, but only before they were washed/drycleaned. I do have a linen jacket that smells when it is ironed even though it is drycleaned regularly. No idea why.

Have you tried soaking your napkins in Nappisan? I do that with tea towels and linen napkins then warm wash them and they don't smell when I iron them.

Helen I just did a bit of googling, and appears it may well be chemicals used to treat the linen to make it resistant to stains, wrinkles etc.
Interesting read here and a possible fix using baking soda?

Interesting Irene, I will try baking soda and see what happens.
They sure do smell when hot. eek