How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes: A Definitive Guide

Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. You open the washing machine, expecting the fresh scent of clean laundry, but instead, you’re hit with a damp, musty odor. It’s that dreaded mildew smell. Learning How To Get Mildew Smell Out Of Clothes is more than just a laundry hack; it’s an essential skill to rescue your favorite garments and restore that clean freshness we all love. This isn’t just about masking the smell—it’s about eliminating the culprit at its source and making sure it never comes back.

Why Do My Clothes Smell Like Mildew, Anyway?

Before we dive into the solution, it helps to understand the problem. That musty smell is caused by mildew, a type of mold that thrives in damp, dark, and warm environments. Your washing machine, especially after a cycle, is the perfect breeding ground. When you leave wet clothes sitting in the drum—even for just a few hours—you’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat for mildew spores to grow on the fabric. The result is that sour, earthy smell that seems to cling to clothes no matter what.

The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes

Ready to banish that smell for good? Forget fancy, expensive products for a moment. The most effective tools are likely already in your pantry. This two-step washing process using vinegar and baking soda is the gold standard for tackling mildew.

Separate and Prepare: First things first, don’t mix your smelly clothes with a fresh load of laundry. Keep them separate to avoid cross-contamination. Shake the garments out to loosen any surface spores.
The First Wash: The Vinegar Assault: Place the mildew-smelling clothes in the washing machine. Instead of detergent, add one cup of white distilled vinegar directly into the drum. Vinegar is a fantastic natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Its acetic acid breaks down mildew and bacteria without harming most fabrics.
Run a Hot Cycle: Wash the clothes on the hottest water setting that the fabric care labels allow. The hot water is crucial for killing mold spores and bacteria that the vinegar has loosened. Let the machine run a full cycle.
The Second Wash: The Baking Soda Neutralizer: Once the first cycle is complete, leave the clothes in the machine. This time, add your regular high-efficiency (HE) detergent, plus half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that will absorb and neutralize any lingering odors that the vinegar didn’t eliminate.
Run Another Cycle: Wash the load again, this time on a normal cycle with the water temperature recommended on the garment tags.
Dry Immediately and Thoroughly: This is arguably the most critical step. As soon as the second wash cycle finishes, immediately transfer the clothes to the dryer. Dry them completely on a medium to high heat setting, if the fabric allows. If you prefer to air-dry, hang them outside in direct sunlight. The UV rays from the sun are a natural disinfectant and will help kill any remaining spores. Do not leave them to dry in a damp, unventilated area.

Expert Tip: Never, ever mix vinegar and chlorine bleach. This combination creates toxic chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous to inhale. Stick to using them in separate wash cycles.

Bảng trống.

What if the Smell Lingers? Advanced Mildew Removal Techniques

For really stubborn cases where the vinegar and baking soda method doesn’t quite cut it, you can bring in some reinforcements.

Using Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach (like OxiClean or other brands with sodium percarbonate) is a color-safe alternative to chlorine bleach. It works by releasing oxygen to break down stains and odors.

Soak: Dissolve oxygen bleach in a tub of water according to the package directions. Let the smelly clothes soak for at least four hours, or even overnight.
Wash: After soaking, wring the clothes out and wash them as usual with your regular detergent.

Trying Borax

Borax is another natural laundry booster that is excellent at inhibiting fungal growth.

Add to Wash: Dissolve half a cup of borax in a bit of hot water before adding it to your washing machine along with your regular detergent.
Wash as usual: Run a normal wash cycle.

Prevention is the Best Medicine: Keeping Mildew Away for Good

Knowing how to get mildew smell out of clothes is great, but not having to do it in the first place is even better. Adopting a few simple habits can prevent mildew from ever becoming a problem.

Move Laundry Promptly: Make it a rule to never leave wet clothes sitting in the washer. Set a timer on your phone if you have to. The goal is to move them to the dryer or clothesline as soon as the cycle ends.
Don’t Overload the Machine: Cramming too many clothes into the washer prevents proper water circulation and cleaning, leaving behind moisture and detergent residue that mildew loves.
Use the Right Amount of Detergent: More soap does not mean cleaner clothes. Excess detergent can build up on your clothes and in your machine, creating a sticky film that traps odor-causing bacteria.
Clean Your Washing Machine Regularly: Your washer needs cleaning too! Once a month, run an empty cycle with hot water and a cup of vinegar or a specialized washing machine cleaner tablet.
Leave the Door Ajar: After you’re done with laundry for the day, leave the door of your front-loading washing machine open. This allows the drum and the rubber gasket to air out and dry completely, preventing a damp environment where mildew can grow.

Is My Washing Machine the Real Culprit?

Sometimes, the problem isn’t just the load of laundry; it’s the machine itself. Front-loading washing machines are particularly notorious for developing mold and mildew, especially around the rubber door seal (the gasket).

How to Clean Your Washer’s Gasket

Mix a Solution: Create a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, or use a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water.
Wipe It Down: Put on some gloves. Dip a cloth or sponge into the solution and carefully pull back the rubber gasket. Wipe down the entire surface, getting into all the folds and crevices where gunk and mold hide.
Rinse and Dry: Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away the cleaning solution, then dry the gasket thoroughly with a final clean, dry cloth.

As a professional in this field, I can’t stress this enough. David Chen, a seasoned appliance technician I’ve worked with for years, always says, “The number one cause of smelly clothes I see is a dirty machine. People forget that the machine that cleans their clothes needs cleaning itself. That door gasket on a front-loader is a mold factory if you don’t wipe it dry.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I just use bleach to get mildew smell out of clothes?
You can use chlorine bleach on whites, but it will damage and discolor colored fabrics. For colors, oxygen bleach is a much safer and effective alternative. Always check the care label first.

How long is too long to leave wet clothes in the washer?
While there’s no exact time, most experts agree that problems can start in as little as 8-12 hours. In warm, humid climates, mildew can begin growing even faster. The best practice is to move them immediately.

Does this vinegar and baking soda method work for musty towels?
Absolutely! This method is perfect for towels, which are thick and highly absorbent, making them prime targets for mildew. Using hot water is especially important for towels to ensure deep cleaning.

Why do my clothes smell fine out of the washer but musty after drying?
This usually means the mildew wasn’t fully eliminated in the wash, and the heat from the dryer “activated” the smell. It could also mean your dryer isn’t venting properly, trapping moist air. Ensure your dryer vent is clean and that clothes are 100% dry when you take them out.

Can I just rewash the clothes with extra detergent?
No, this is often counterproductive. Adding more detergent can lead to more residue buildup, which feeds the mildew and bacteria. The key is to use a cleaning agent like vinegar or oxygen bleach that specifically kills the mold, not just mask the smell.

Your Fresh Start for Fresher Laundry

Tackling that musty scent is all about a two-pronged attack: treating the affected clothes and adopting preventative habits. By following the steps to effectively use vinegar and baking soda, you can rescue even the smelliest load. More importantly, by giving your washing machine a little TLC and being mindful of your laundry routine, you can make sure that damp, mildewy smell becomes a distant memory. Now you know exactly how to get mildew smell out of clothes, putting you back in control of your laundry. For more tips and reviews on the best machines to keep your clothes fresh, check out our other guides.