How to Get Rid of Smell in Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
How to Get Rid of Smell in Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
Your clothes smell bad after washing. Maybe they have a musty smell from sitting in the washer, a sweat smell from working out, or a smoke smell from a campfire. Bad smells in clothes are caused by bacteria, mold, or trapped odors that regular washing doesn’t remove. Here’s how to get rid of smell in clothes without damage.
A bad smell in clothes is caused by bacteria, mold, or trapped odors bonding with fabric fibers. Sweat, body oils, food, smoke, and mildew all leave odors that can persist after regular washing. Removing odors requires killing the bacteria (vinegar or Lysol), absorbing the odor (baking soda), and washing with the right detergent (Tide Free and Gentle).
To get rid of smell in clothes, add baking soda to the wash, add vinegar to the rinse, use Tide Free and Gentle, add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for disinfecting, wash in the right water temperature, and dry in the sun. Don’t use fabric softener, don’t use too much detergent, and don’t leave wet clothes in the washer.
For Musty and Mildew Smells
Step 1: Soak in Vinegar
Soak smelly clothes in warm water with 2 cups of white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar kills the mildew and removes the musty smell.
Step 2: Wash with Baking Soda
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda in hot water. Baking soda absorbs odors.
Step 3: Add Vinegar to the Rinse
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Vinegar kills remaining bacteria and removes odors.
Step 4: Add Lysol for Disinfecting
Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for extra disinfecting.
Step 5: Dry in the Sun
Dry in the sun if possible. UV light kills bacteria and removes odors.
For Sweat and Body Odor
Step 1: Pre-Treat with Dish Soap
Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to the underarm areas. Work it in. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Dawn breaks down the body oils that trap odor.
Step 2: Wash with Baking Soda
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and half a cup of baking soda in warm or hot water.
Step 3: Add Vinegar to the Rinse
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse. Vinegar kills bacteria and removes odors.
Step 4: Add Lysol for Disinfecting
Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.
Step 5: Dry in the Sun or on High Heat
Dry in the sun or on high heat (for cotton). Heat kills bacteria.
For Smoke Smells
Step 1: Air Out
Air out smoky clothes outside for 1 to 2 hours. Fresh air removes some of the smoke.
Step 2: Soak in Vinegar
Soak in warm water with 2 cups of white vinegar for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Wash with Baking Soda
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and 1 cup of baking soda in hot water.
Step 4: Add Vinegar to the Rinse
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse.
Step 5: Add Lysol for Disinfecting
Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse.
Step 6: Dry in the Sun
Dry in the sun. UV light removes smoke odors.
For Food Smells
Step 1: Pre-Treat with Dish Soap
Apply Dawn dish soap to the smelly areas. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Wash with Baking Soda
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and half a cup of baking soda in warm water.
Step 3: Add Vinegar to the Rinse
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse.
For Gasoline and Chemical Smells
Step 1: Soak in Vinegar
Soak in warm water with 2 cups of white vinegar for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Wash with Baking Soda
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle and 1 cup of baking soda in hot water.
Step 3: Add Vinegar to the Rinse
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse.
Step 4: Air Dry
Air dry. Don’t use the dryer for gasoline soaked clothes (fire risk).
Use the Right Products
Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle
Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam
Odor absorber: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
Laundry sanitizer: Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover
Machine cleaner: affresh Washing Machine Cleaner
What Not to Do
Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener coats fibers and traps odors. Use vinegar instead.
Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that traps odors. Use the recommended amount.
Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Leaving wet clothes causes mildew and musty smells. Move to the dryer promptly.
Don’t use cold water for heavy odors. Cold water doesn’t kill bacteria. Use warm or hot water for smelly clothes.
Don’t close the washer door. Closing the door traps moisture and causes mold. Leave it open.
Don’t skip monthly machine cleaning. A dirty machine transfers odors to clothes. Use affresh monthly.
Odor Removal Guide
| Odor Type | Best Treatment | Water Temp | Soak Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musty and mildew | Vinegar soak, baking soda wash | Hot | 30 min |
| Sweat and body odor | Dish soap pre-treat, baking soda wash | Warm or hot | 15 min |
| Smoke | Air out, vinegar soak, baking soda wash | Hot | 30 min |
| Food | Dish soap pre-treat, baking soda wash | Warm | 15 min |
| Gasoline | Vinegar soak, baking soda wash | Hot | 30 min |
| Pet odors | Vinegar soak, baking soda wash, Lysol | Hot | 30 min |
FAQ
How do you get rid of smell in clothes? Add baking soda to the wash, add vinegar to the rinse, use Tide Free and Gentle, add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer, wash in warm or hot water, and dry in the sun.
Does vinegar remove odors from clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills bacteria and removes odors. Add half to 1 cup to the rinse, or soak clothes in warm water with 2 cups of vinegar for 30 minutes.
Does baking soda remove odors from clothes? Yes. Baking soda absorbs odors. Add half to 1 cup to the wash, or make a paste for pre-treating smelly areas.
Why do clothes smell after washing? Clothes smell after washing because of bacteria, mold, or trapped odors. Causes include leaving wet clothes in the washer, using too much detergent, using fabric softener, or a dirty washing machine.
How do you get rid of musty smells in clothes? Soak in warm water with 2 cups of vinegar for 30 minutes, wash with Tide Free and Gentle and baking soda in hot water, add vinegar to the rinse, add Lysol, and dry in the sun.
References
- Tide. “Odor Removal Guide.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “Odor Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Odor Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- Lysol. “Laundry Sanitizer Guide.” lysol.com.
