Left Clothes in Washer Overnight: A Repeatable Care Routine

You left clothes in the washer overnight and now they smell musty. Maybe you started a load before bed, forgot about it, or got distracted. Clothes left in the washer overnight develop a mildew smell from mold and bacteria growing in the damp, warm environment. Here’s how to fix clothes left in the washer overnight and a repeatable care routine to prevent it.

When clothes are left in the washer overnight, mold and bacteria grow in the damp, warm environment inside the drum. This produces a musty mildew smell that can be difficult to remove with regular detergent alone. The key to fixing clothes left in the washer overnight is killing the mold (vinegar, oxygen bleach, hot water) and removing the odor (baking soda). The key to preventing it is removing clothes promptly and leaving the door open.

To fix clothes left in the washer overnight, re-wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda and OxiClean, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry completely. To prevent it, remove clothes promptly, leave the door open, set a timer, and clean the machine monthly with affresh.

How to Fix Clothes Left in the Washer Overnight

Step 1: Smell Check

Open the washer and smell the clothes. If they smell musty, mold has started growing. If they smell fine, you can re-wash on a normal cycle.

Step 2: Re-Wash with Odor Removers

Re-wash the clothes with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda and 1 scoop of OxiClean to the wash. Baking soda absorbs odors and OxiClean kills mold.

Step 3: Add Lysol to the Rinse

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

Step 4: 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 5: Dry Completely

Dry the clothes completely. Use the dryer on the hottest setting safe for the fabric, or dry in direct sunlight. UV rays kill mold and remove odors.

Step 6: Check for Odor

Check that the musty smell is gone. If it remains, repeat the process with a vinegar soak first.

For Severe Mildew Smell

Soak in Vinegar First

Soak the clothes in white vinegar for 30 minutes before re-washing. Vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors.

Soak in Baking Soda

Soak the clothes in a solution of baking soda and water for 30 minutes before re-washing. Baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors.

Pre-Treat Visible Mold Stains

For visible mold stains, apply OxiClean Max Force Spray directly to the stain. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Use Shout Foam for Food Residue

If the clothes also have food stains, apply Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Use Dawn for Grease Residue

If the clothes have grease stains, apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap. Let sit for 15 minutes.

Use Amodex for Ink Stains

If the clothes have ink stains, 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.

The Repeatable Care Routine

Daily: Laundry Habits

Step 1: Set a timer or alarm for when the wash cycle ends.

Step 2: Remove clothes from the washer as soon as the cycle ends.

Step 3: Don’t start a load if you can’t remove it within 2 hours.

Step 4: Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry.

Step 5: Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load.

Step 6: Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash for deodorizing.

Step 7: Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse for deodorizing.

Monthly: Machine Maintenance

Step 1: Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in the washer drum.

Step 2: Set to the hottest water and longest cycle.

Step 3: Run the cycle.

Step 4: Wipe the rubber seal, dispenser, and drum.

Step 5: Leave the door open to dry.

Weekly: Quick Maintenance

Step 1: Wipe the rubber seal with a dry cloth.

Step 2: Check the dispenser for buildup.

Step 3: Leave the door open between loads.

How to Prevent Leaving Clothes in the Washer

Set a Timer

Set a timer or alarm on your phone for when the wash cycle ends. Most washers take 30 to 60 minutes per cycle.

Use a Delay Start

If you want to wash overnight, use the delay start feature so the cycle finishes when you wake up. Don’t start a load before bed without delay start.

Don’t Start a Load You Can’t Finish

Don’t start a load if you can’t remove the clothes within 2 hours. Wait until you have time to complete the full cycle.

Leave the Door Open

Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry and prevent mold.

Clean the Machine Monthly

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

What Not to Do

Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Leaving wet clothes causes mildew and odors. Remove clothes as soon as the cycle ends.

Don’t close the door between loads. Closing the door traps moisture and causes mold. Leave the door open.

Don’t use cold water to re-wash musty clothes. Cold water doesn’t kill mold spores. Use hot water for most fabrics.

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.

Don’t put musty clothes in the dryer without re-washing. Dryer heat can set the mildew smell. Re-wash first.

Don’t ignore the rubber seal. The rubber seal around the door can trap water and grow mold. Wipe it regularly.

FAQ

What do you do if you left clothes in the washer overnight? Re-wash with Tide Free and Gentle in hot water with baking soda and OxiClean, add Lysol to the rinse, add vinegar to the rinse, and dry completely. If the smell is severe, soak in vinegar first.

How do you get the mildew smell out of clothes left in the washer? Re-wash in hot water with Tide Free and Gentle, baking soda, and OxiClean. Add Lysol and vinegar to the rinse. Dry completely. For severe smell, soak in vinegar for 30 minutes first.

How long can you leave clothes in the washer? Don’t leave clothes in the washer for more than 2 hours. After 2 hours, mold and bacteria start growing and producing a musty smell.

How do you prevent leaving clothes in the washer overnight? Set a timer or alarm for when the cycle ends, use delay start if washing overnight, don’t start a load you can’t finish, leave the door open, and clean the machine monthly with affresh.

Can you put musty clothes in the dryer? Don’t put musty clothes in the dryer without re-washing first. Dryer heat can set the mildew smell. Re-wash with baking soda and vinegar first.

References

1. Tide. “Mildew Smell Removal Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “What to Do If You Left Clothes in the Washer.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Mildew Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. affresh. “Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.