How to Eliminate Mildew Smell from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

Your clothes smell like mildew. Maybe you left them in the washer too long, stored them in a damp place, or found them in a forgotten box. Mildew smell in clothes is caused by mold growing on the fabric. Here’s how to eliminate mildew smell from clothes without damaging the fabric.

Mildew smell in clothes is caused by mold and bacteria growing on fabric in damp, warm conditions. Mold produces a musty odor that can be difficult to remove with regular detergent alone. The key to eliminating mildew smell is killing the mold (vinegar or oxygen bleach), removing the odor (baking soda), and preventing regrowth (thorough drying).

To eliminate mildew smell from clothes, take them outside to shake off spores, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste to stained areas, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with OxiClean and baking soda, add Lysol to the rinse, and dry in the sun. Don’t use cold water, don’t put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer, and don’t store damp clothes.

Step-by-Step: Eliminating Mildew Smell from Clothes

Step 1: Take Clothes Outside

Take mildew-smelling clothes outside to shake off loose spores. Don’t do this indoors, which can spread spores.

Step 2: Soak in White Vinegar

Soak the clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes. Vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors. Use enough vinegar to cover the clothes.

Step 3: Apply Baking Soda Paste

For areas with visible mold stains, make a paste of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and water. Apply to the stains. Let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Step 4: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to any stained areas. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Step 5: Wash in Hot Water

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Hot water kills mold spores. Add half a cup of baking soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash.

Step 6: Add Lysol to the Rinse

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for disinfecting and killing remaining mold spores.

Step 7: Add Vinegar to the Rinse

Add half a cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser for the rinse. Vinegar deodorizes and removes detergent residue.

Step 8: Dry in the Sun

Dry the clothes in direct sunlight if possible. UV rays kill mold and remove odors. If you can’t dry outside, use the hottest dryer setting safe for the fabric.

Step 9: Check Before Storing

Check that all mildew stains and odors are gone before storing. If mildew remains, repeat the process.

Step 10: Clean the Machine After

After washing mildew-smelling clothes, clean the machine with affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to kill any remaining spores.

For Stubborn Mildew Smell

Use Oxygen Bleach

Add 1 scoop of OxiClean (oxygen bleach) to the wash for stubborn mildew. Oxygen bleach kills mold and is safe for colored clothes.

Use OxiClean Spray

Pre-treat visible mold stains with OxiClean Max Force Spray. Let sit for 15 minutes before washing.

Use Shout Foam

Apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam to visible mold stains. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Use Amodex for Ink Mixed with Mold

If the mildew stain has ink mixed in, use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover.

Run Two Wash Cycles

For severe mildew smell, run two wash cycles. Use vinegar and baking soda for the first and Tide Free and Gentle with OxiClean for the second.

How to Prevent Mildew Smell in Clothes

Don’t Leave Wet Clothes in the Washer

Remove clothes from the washer as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting.

Dry Clothes Completely

Make sure clothes are completely dry before storing. Damp clothes grow mold.

Store in a Dry Place

Store clothes in a cool, dry place. Don’t store in damp basements or humid areas.

Use Moisture Absorbers

Place moisture absorbers (like baking soda or silica gel) in storage areas to reduce humidity.

Clean the Washer Monthly

Clean the washer monthly with affresh to prevent mold from growing in the machine and spreading to clothes.

Add Lysol to Damp Loads

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to loads that might stay damp, like towels and gym clothes.

What Not to Do

Don’t use cold water. Cold water doesn’t kill mold spores. Use hot water for most fabrics.

Don’t put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat can set mildew stains. Dry in the sun if possible.

Don’t scrub mold indoors. Scrubbing mold indoors can spread spores. Take clothes outside first.

Don’t store damp clothes. Damp clothes grow mold. Always dry completely before storing.

Don’t mix mildew-smelling clothes with clean clothes. Mold spores can spread. Wash mildew-smelling clothes separately.

Don’t use chlorine bleach on colored clothes. Chlorine bleach can remove color. Use oxygen bleach (OxiClean) instead.

FAQ

How do you eliminate mildew smell from clothes? Take clothes outside, soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes, apply baking soda paste to stains, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with OxiClean and baking soda, add Lysol to the rinse, and dry in the sun.

What causes mildew smell in clothes? Mildew smell in clothes is caused by mold and bacteria growing on fabric in damp, warm conditions. Causes include leaving wet clothes in the washer, storing damp clothes, and storing in humid areas.

Does vinegar eliminate mildew smell from clothes? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors. Soak mildew-smelling clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.

Does hot water kill mildew in clothes? Yes. Hot water kills mold spores. Wash mildew-smelling clothes in hot water with detergent and OxiClean. Use warm water for fabrics that can’t handle hot water.

Can you put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer? Don’t put mildew-smelling clothes in the dryer until the mildew is gone. Dryer heat can set mildew stains. Dry in the sun if possible.

References

1. Tide. “Mildew Smell Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Remove Mildew from Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Mildew Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. OxiClean. “Stain Removal Guide.” oxiclean.com.