How Long Can Clothes Sit in the Washer? What Works and What to Avoid
How Long Can Clothes Sit in the Washer? What Works and What to Avoid
You started a load of laundry, got distracted, and forgot to move the clothes to the dryer. Now it’s been hours and you’re wondering if the clothes are ruined. How long can clothes sit in the washer before they start to smell? The answer depends on the temperature, humidity, and fabric type. In general, clothes should be moved from the washer to the dryer within 2 hours. After that, bacteria and mold start to grow, causing musty odors. Here’s how long clothes can sit in the washer and what to do if they’ve been left too long.
Clothes sitting in the washer are wet garments left in the drum after the wash cycle ends. Bacteria and mold grow in the warm, moist environment of the washer drum, causing musty odors. The time limit for leaving clothes in the washer depends on temperature and humidity, but generally 2 to 8 hours is the maximum before odors develop.
To prevent musty clothes, move clothes from the washer to the dryer within 2 hours. If clothes have been left longer, re-wash with 1 cup of white vinegar and Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add baking soda for odors. Don’t leave clothes in the washer overnight, don’t close the door between washes, and clean the machine monthly.
How Long Can Clothes Sit in the Washer?
| Time | Risk Level | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 hours | Safe | No odor, no bacteria growth |
| 2-8 hours | Low risk | Slight musty smell possible |
| 8-12 hours | Medium risk | Musty smell, bacteria growth |
| 12-24 hours | High risk | Strong mildew smell, mold growth possible |
| 24+ hours | Very high risk | Mold and mildew, permanent odor possible |
Factors That Affect How Long Clothes Can Sit
Temperature: In warm, humid weather, bacteria grow faster. Clothes left in the washer in summer will smell sooner than in winter.
Humidity: High humidity speeds up bacteria and mold growth.
Fabric type: Natural fibers (cotton, linen) absorb more water and are more prone to mildew. Synthetics (polyester, nylon) dry faster and are less prone.
Washer type: Front loaders seal tighter than top loaders, trapping more moisture and causing odors sooner.
What to Do If Clothes Have Been Left Too Long
If Left 2 to 8 Hours (Slight Smell)
Step 1: Smell the clothes. If they smell fine, dry them as usual.
Step 2: If there’s a slight smell, add vinegar. Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle and re-run the rinse and spin cycle.
Step 3: Dry immediately.
If Left 8 to 24 Hours (Musty Smell)
Step 1: Re-wash. Wash with 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle in hot water.
Step 2: Add baking soda. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the drum for extra deodorizing.
Step 3: Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse to kill bacteria.
Step 4: Dry completely. Dry in the dryer on high heat or in the sun.
If Left 24+ Hours (Strong Mildew Smell)
Step 1: Check for mold. If you see visible mold spots, treat with OxiClean Max Force Spray before washing.
Step 2: Re-wash with vinegar and oxygen bleach. Wash with 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle, and 1 scoop of oxygen bleach in hot water.
Step 3: Add baking soda.
Step 4: Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer.
Step 5: Dry in the sun. UV rays kill remaining mold spores.
Step 6: Check before storing. If the smell remains, repeat the wash.
How to Prevent Leaving Clothes in the Washer
Set a timer. Set a timer on your phone for when the wash cycle ends.
Use a washer with an end-of-cycle alert. Some washers beep or send a notification when the cycle is done.
Wash smaller loads. Smaller loads are easier to move to the dryer quickly.
Leave the door open. If you can’t move clothes right away, leave the washer door open to let air circulate.
Use a delay start. If you know you’ll be home later, use the delay start feature to time the wash to finish when you’re ready.
Clean the machine monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly to prevent odors.
What Not to Do
Don’t leave clothes in the washer overnight. Overnight (8 to 12 hours) is enough time for bacteria and mold to grow.
Don’t close the door between washes. Closing the door traps moisture and promotes mold growth in the machine.
Don’t dry musty clothes without re-washing. Drying clothes that smell musty without re-washing first will set the odor.
Don’t use fabric softener on musty clothes. It coats fibers and traps the musty smell.
Don’t ignore the smell. The longer you wait to re-wash, the harder the smell is to remove.
FAQ
How long can clothes sit in the washer? Clothes should be moved from the washer to the dryer within 2 hours. After 8 hours, a musty smell develops. After 24 hours, mold and mildew can grow. In warm, humid weather, clothes smell sooner.
What happens if you leave clothes in the washer overnight? Leaving clothes in the washer overnight (8 to 12 hours) can cause a musty smell from bacteria and mold growth. Re-wash with 1 cup of vinegar and enzyme detergent in hot water, add baking soda, and dry completely.
How do you get the musty smell out of clothes left in the washer? Re-wash with 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle, and half a cup of baking soda in hot water. Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse. Dry in the sun or on high heat.
Can clothes get moldy in the washer? Yes. If clothes are left in the washer for 24 hours or more, mold can grow. Check for visible mold spots and treat with OxiClean before re-washing with vinegar and oxygen bleach in hot water.
How do you prevent leaving clothes in the washer? Set a timer on your phone, use a washer with an end-of-cycle alert, wash smaller loads, leave the door open if you can’t move clothes right away, and use the delay start feature.
References
- Tide. “What to Do If You Leave Clothes in the Washer.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “How Long Can Clothes Sit in the Washer.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Musty Laundry Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- affresh. “Washer Odor Prevention.” affresh.com.
