How to Remove Mildew Smell from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You left a load of laundry in the washer overnight. When you opened the lid the next morning, the smell hit you: musty, sour, and damp. You ran the wash again with more detergent, but the clothes still smell. The problem isn’t dirt. It’s mold spores that have grown on the fabric. Regular detergent doesn’t kill mold spores, so the smell persists no matter how many times you wash. To remove mildew smell, you need to kill the spores and remove the odor compounds. Here’s how.

Mildew smell on clothes is a musty odor caused by mold spores that grow on fabric in damp, warm conditions. The smell persists after regular washing because detergent doesn’t kill mold spores. The spores continue to grow and produce odor compounds even after washing.

To remove mildew smell from clothes, wash with 1 cup of white vinegar in hot water with enzyme detergent, add half a cup of baking soda to the wash for extra deodorizing, and dry in the sun if possible. For stubborn smells, repeat the vinegar wash or use oxygen bleach. Don’t put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer, as heat can set the odor.

The Best Method: Vinegar Wash

White vinegar kills mold spores and neutralizes the odor compounds that cause the musty smell. It’s the most effective single treatment for mildew smell.

Step 1: Load the clothes. Put the mildew-smelling clothes in the washing machine without other clothes.

Step 2: Add 1 cup of white vinegar. Pour 1 cup of distilled white vinegar directly into the drum (not the dispenser). The vinegar will mix with the wash water and kill the spores.

Step 3: Add enzyme detergent. Add 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle to the dispenser. The enzymes break down organic matter that feeds the mold.

Step 4: Wash in hot water. Hot water helps kill the spores and flush away the odor compounds. Use the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Step 5: Check the smell. After the wash, smell the clothes. If the musty odor is gone, dry as usual. If it remains, move to the next treatment.

Step 6: Dry in the sun if possible. Sunlight is a natural mold killer. The UV rays help kill remaining spores and freshen the fabric.

For Stubborn Mildew Smell

If the vinegar wash doesn’t fully remove the smell, try these additional treatments:

Baking soda boost. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the wash cycle along with the vinegar and detergent. Baking soda absorbs odors and helps neutralize the pH.

Oxygen bleach. Add oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) to the wash cycle. Oxygen bleach kills mold spores and removes odors without the harshness of chlorine bleach. Safe for most colored fabrics.

Second vinegar wash. If the smell persists after the first wash, wash again with 1 cup of vinegar and hot water. Some mildew smells need two treatments.

Borax. Add half a cup of borax to the wash cycle. Borax is a natural mineral that kills mold and removes odors. It’s safe for most fabrics.

Enzyme soak. For very stubborn smells, soak the clothes in warm water with enzyme detergent for 1 hour before washing. The enzymes break down the organic matter that feeds the mold.

What Not to Do

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener coats fibers and traps the musty smell. Skip it for mildew-smelling loads.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored fabrics. Chlorine bleach kills mold but strips color. Use oxygen bleach for colored fabrics.

Don’t put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set the musty smell permanently. Always air dry and check the smell first.

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t kill mold spores. Use hot water for mildew-smelling clothes.

Don’t ignore the washing machine. If your machine has mold, it will transfer the smell to your clothes. Clean your machine with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.

How to Prevent Mildew Smell on Clothes

Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. The most common cause. Transfer clothes to the dryer or a drying rack within 2 hours.

Dry clothes completely before storing. Even slightly damp clothes will grow mold in storage.

Don’t store clothes in damp areas. Avoid basements, garages, and other humid areas.

Clean your washing machine monthly. A dirty machine can transfer mold to clothes. Run a cleaning cycle with affresh monthly.

Leave the washer door open. After each wash, leave the door or lid open to let the drum dry.

Use the right amount of detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold. Use 2 tablespoons per load.

FAQ

How do you remove mildew smell from clothes? Wash with 1 cup of white vinegar in hot water with enzyme detergent. Add half a cup of baking soda for extra deodorizing. Dry in the sun if possible. For stubborn smells, repeat the vinegar wash or use oxygen bleach.

Does vinegar remove mildew smell from clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores and neutralizes the odor compounds that cause the musty smell. Add 1 cup to the wash cycle and wash in hot water with enzyme detergent.

Why do my clothes smell musty after washing? Clothes smell musty because mold spores have grown on the fabric. Regular detergent doesn’t kill mold spores, so the smell persists. Wash with vinegar in hot water to kill the spores.

Can you put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer? Don’t put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer until the smell is gone. Dryer heat can set the musty odor permanently. Always air dry and check the smell first.

Does baking soda remove mildew smell from clothes? Yes. Baking soda absorbs odors and helps neutralize the pH. Add half a cup to the wash cycle along with vinegar and detergent for extra deodorizing.

How do you prevent mildew smell on clothes? Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer, dry clothes completely before storing, don’t store in damp areas, clean your washing machine monthly, leave the washer door open after each wash, and use the right amount of detergent.

Does hot water kill mildew on clothes? Yes. Hot water helps kill mold spores and flush away odor compounds. Use the hottest water safe for the fabric when washing mildew-smelling clothes.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Mildew Smell from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Get Musty Smell Out of Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “How to Remove Mildew Odor.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. CDC. “Mold Cleanup Guide.” cdc.gov.