The smell has nothing to do with cleanliness. Sometimes clean clothes and washed clothes do carry some unpleasant smell, which is not so good. And can make the other clothes smell the same. Musty clothes are a common problem during winters.
Problem with Musty Clothes
If you find a cloth smelling musty, keep it separate as it will make other clothes smell the same. Using perfumes or sprays will not be able to remove the smell, rather it is temporarily.
So, what can be done to get rid of this musty, unpleasant, and dirty smell that is present in your clothes?
There are a few ways by which one can remove the musty smell from clothes and keep the cloth fresh. Follow these ways and see the smell go away.
Steps to remove the musty smell
Don’t wash the clothes again and again. As it will take time to dehydrate them. The musty smell will increase instead of going away.
Below are some measures to remove the smell without washing. Follow the precautionary steps, which can help you out, to prevent the clothes from smelling the same in the future.
While washing clothes in the washing machine make sure, to keep the dryer clean. If the dryer is not clean, then keeping clothes in the dryer will make them catch the smell.
Follow the steps given in the manual of your machine about washing clothes. In the manual, if it is allowed to wash clothes in hot water, then you can try that. Since hot water kills the bacteria and thus prevents the smell. And if it is mentioned that use cold water then wash it with cold water and get the clothes dried properly.
Use vinegar or baking soda to clean clothes. If the smell does not go, then use vinegar. Since it is acetic acid so it can prevent microbial bodies which growing and causing a musty smell. And thus, the smell will automatically go away.
Baking soda, on the other hand, can be used to get rid of the smell. That too without immersing them in water. Just sprinkle some powder on the clothes, and the smell will slightly fade away.
Just 4 to 5 drops of vinegar are enough, do not overuse it. Otherwise, it may damage your clothes. And it will do more harm than good. Along with this, just using 120 mL of baking soda will do the work.
Dry the clothes in proper sunlight. Sunlight is the best method to get rid of bacteria or microbes. Their growth can be averted, in warm temperatures. So make sure to dry the clothes after washing.
Keep in the daylight. All the winter clothes like blankets, quilts, woolen clothe also need to be dried. Use the sunlight for better results.
Avoid washing clothes in the rainy season. The clothes do not get dried properly and catch the smell very easily.
Use borax or oxygen bleach. It is a natural mold killer along with hot water. A small part of borax can remove the smell from the clothes and make them clean.
Precautions
Handle bleach with care. Use plastic or rubber gloves and avoid direct contact with the skin. Other than this, some clothes are sensitive to bleach so check properly, If it is written in the fabric. Do not bleach then, avoid using bleach.
Now you can follow some basic steps to eliminate the musty smell inside clothes.
Clean the closet where you keep clothes, make sure that there is no smell of wood, ply, etc. which, can spoil your clothes. And they start smelling bad.
Make sure not to keep the clothes in the closet. If it is not washed properly or dampened by sweat. Let the clothes get dry properly before keeping them in the wardrobe.
Allow proper air to enter the room and try to eliminate moisture. The moisture makes the cloth wet and prevents them from getting dry. And thus, they catch the dusty smell easily.
Prevent your clothes from getting dampened due to sweat. Or with dry marks as it causes the smell. And these marks do not go easily. If you have sweaty clothes or oil marks then just wash them immediately. And let them dry properly in the sun before storing them.
Causes of musty smell in clothes
One of the most common reasons, the smell is caused due to the fungus or mold growing in it. Their growth or presence itself causes a musty, unpleasant smell on the clothes. It can be due to the microbial growth on the surface where clothes are stored, or cupboard, wardrobe, or closet. Hence they need to be cleaned at appropriate time intervals. Allow some light especially, sunlight to enter inside the house. The powerful rays of the sun prevent all types of microbial growth. Proper cleaning with detergents or soaps also needs to be done. It can be the smell of pets or their urine. Train the pets to not urinate at the place of keeping clothes. Bath them frequently so that they do not smell or spread smell. It can be due to the shoes which you bring to the home and keep near the cloth set. Avoid carrying shoes to the place of keeping clothes. Or it can be due to sweat in clothes which are not washed properly, or not dried properly. Keep such clothes separate which easily catches the smell. Keeping the clothes in a dark place for a long time can also be a reason. The dark and cold place also promotes a musty smell. The well lighted and dry place is a better option for storing clothes.
Things to keep in mind to get rid of musty clothes
Removing the musty smell from delicate clothes can be tricky. Try not to use bleach. The sophisticated clothes can be damaged easily due to hot water. Hot water can be used to kill the spores of molds present in the cloth. And it is due to them the smell is coming. For washing of clothes, it has to be washed with cold water. As hot water can damage the clothes. So use hot water at your own risk after reading the guidelines mentioned on the fabric and machine. Remember to use borax separately. Baking soda and vinegar can be used in combination. Although, both of them can be used directly without washing but don’t use in high quantity. Use as per your requirements.
Another major concern is that even after washing the clothes smell musty or get dampen. How to prevent that?
Prevention
Moisture is the main reason for the clothes to smell or dampen. And there are many ways through which moisture can enter your clothes. One reason is sweaty clothes, left as it is, after a workout or gym. Leaving wet clothes in the machine for a long time after washing. Leaving wet clothes in a dryer can also cause the same problem. Store the wet clothes in cold, dark places where no light can reach. A smelling washing machine can also make your clothes smell musty. Wash clothes on a rainy day or winter day with no sunlight.
Guidelines
Some general guidelines to follow to save both time and energy
Try to prevent all these things from happening. To avoid the clothes from catching the unpleasant smell. There are several products available in the market for good smell or cleaning. Choose these products with care and select those which suit your clothes. They should not be too concentrated or too hard, nor too dilute or less concentrated. It should be optimal and easy on clothes. Don’t just go after good smells like roses and jasmine, rather check the level of bacteria-killing also.
Nobody likes musty-smelling clothes. But the best part is one can get rid of bad-smelling clothes. It’s very easy. Just follow some basic guidelines. Do not leave wet clothes to get them dried in the dryer or washer for a long time. Frequent cleaning of the cupboard or closet is also required. Rinse the washer and dryer after every wash. Always try to give sunlight to your clothes. Just hope, these small hacks can help you out.
Q.1) How to get rid of the musty smell in the clothes washer?
Avoid storing clothes in water for a long time. Rinse it with hot water before washing clothes. Use some detergent after washing the clothes. And always keep the washer clean.
Washing the clothes with white vinegar for about 30 minutes. It can help in eliminating the musty smell from the clothes completely. After a wash uses a fabric softener, with a good flavor. It can give the best results. After doing it hang the clothes outside.
Q.2) How to get rid of a musty smell in a clothes dryer?
Keep the dryer very clean and wash it properly after using. One can also add a few detergents for rinsing or scented liquids to remove the bad smell.
Q.3) How to get rid of the musty smell in the house?
The open well-lit house, with windows, is wide and open. It allows cross ventilation to occur. With proper fresh air and sunlight entering the house, one can get rid of the musty smell in the house very easily. Frequent cleaning of house with phenyl or other anti-bacterial liquid.
Q.4) How to remove a musty smell from clothes without washing?
One can get rid of musty clothes without immersing them in water or washing is by using a no-rinse cleaner. It is a specially prepared liquid or powder. That can clean the clothes and kill the molds without immersing in water.
Other than that, we can dry clean the cloths or spread some baking powder. Or keep them under sunlight for some time.
Q.5) How to treat a smelling washing machine?
A smelling washing machine can be bad for washing your clothes. So check the device first before washing clothes in it. And to answer the question of how to treat a smelling machine, the best option is to run a hot water wash or run a dry wash. It will eliminate the smell out.
Q.6) What are some of the ways to kill the musty smell?
Using an odor absorber can kill the musty smell. One of the natural odor absorbers is charcoal or baking soda. Activated charcoal absorbs the odor that one may want to throw it.
So it is better to change it at every frequent interval. The same is the case with baking soda, as it is also a natural odor absorber and needs to separate after one use. Sprays can also eliminate the musty smell.
Q.7) How to get the old smell out of the clothes?
A slight wash with vinegar or baking soda can eliminate the smell out. Getting your clothes dried using clotheslines or pine-scented cleaner will make them smell fresh.
Another thing is to keep the musty clothes in a freezer. It can also eliminate the smell. Washing the clothes with pine-scented liquid can be used after using the dryer. They can be used when the clothes have not been dried.
Q.8) How to remove musty smell from stored items?
Leave some quantity of baking soda open in the trunk or cupboard. It will absorb the smell. Try leaving it for 2-3 days. Other than giving a wipe to your closet, wardrobe, or cupboard solution mixed with baking soda and water in a 50- 50 ratio. Try to make a complete vacuum. So, that no moisture can retain in the stored items. In the absence of dampness, Nothings will catch the smell.
