Choose the hottest setting on your washing machine. Most mold spores will die at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), so cold and warm water cycles won't work. Add laundry detergent (regular detergent is fine). Add any other disinfectants, like vinegar, bleach or baking soda.
Mildew likes a little warmth, but usually can't survive a very hot wash. Check your garment care label to find out what the maximum wash temperature is, and then pop it in the machine with a high-quality stain-removing detergent, like Persil liquid.
Mix two liters of water with two cups of borax, and rub the solution into mildewed areas on clothing. Then saturate the garments in the solution until the stains are gone -- a process that may take several hours. Once stains are removed, thoroughly rinse the garments and dry immediately.
The washer should be completely filled with water (preferably hot to kill the spores, unless the clothes can only be cold washed). Run your normal cycle and check if the smell is still present. If using a cold wash, you may have to repeat the cycle more than once to get a satisfactory result.
You can try washing them again, but once mildew smells penetrate the fabric, it usually takes more than a regular wash cycle to remove them. This is a serious problem since mildew smells aren't only unpleasant, they wreak havoc on your sinuses and allergies.
Clean the Moldy Clothes in the Washing Machine
Choose the hottest setting on your washing machine. Most mold spores will die at temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), so cold and warm water cycles won't work. Add laundry detergent (regular detergent is fine).
Bleach is the most effective way to remove mold and mildew from clothing made out of white cotton, Joyce says. Apply a solution of one part bleach to three parts water to the stain and allow the solution to sit for a few minutes, then launder the clothing as usual.
Does the Smell of Mildew Go Away? Mildew, moldy, and musty odors are some of the toughest odors to get rid of once they've set. If left alone, the smells might fade over time, but likely won't completely go away on their own. To get rid of the smells, you've got to also get rid of the fungal growth that's causing it.
Vinegar: Combine half water and half vinegar into a spray bottle. Shake it up and spritz your musty-smelling clothing with the solution. If you add a few drops of essential oils to the mix that will help eliminate the smell of vinegar. You'll want to let your clothing air out for a bit otherwise.
Bleach is certainly stronger than the natural method of how to get rid of mildew smell, but that doesn't mean it's necessary. Vinegar and baking soda are usually more than sufficient, and are also a good choice if you have kids or pets.
Bacteria Buildup In Your Washing Machine
Washing machines tend to hold onto stagnant water, especially front loading machines, which can harbor bacteria, limescale, and mold. So, washing machines need to be cleaned regularly in order to provide the best wash for your clothes.
Those who come in contact with mold on clothing are at risk of suffering major health consequences. It's crucial to take care of the issue right away if you see mold on your clothing.
Clothes that have been exposed to mold spores should be washed immediately and dried for a longer time than usual (20 minutes) to keep them clean and avoid any further contamination. Make sure you first rinse the clothes thoroughly and soak them for 5 minutes in two cups of bleach or sodium hypochlorite before washing.
If you've noticed mold accumulating on the inside of the tub, give it a thorough cleaning by running a hot wash cycle. Pour two cups of white vinegar into your empty washing machine tub and select the hottest and longest available cycle. Once the cycle is complete, open the lid or door and allow the tub to fully dry.
Removing Mildew Stains
Fill a sink, bucket or bowl with warm water and add half a scoop of Tide Powder Detergent. Mix up the solution by hand until the detergent completely dissolves. Add your mildew stained garments to the solution and leave to soak for two hours.
Treat the clothes with warm or hot water, distilled white vinegar, chlorine bleach, pine oil, or a phenolic disinfectant to kill the mold spores. Then wash with a heavy-duty laundry detergent and use chlorine or oxygen-bleach to remove the stains.
Wet clothes should not be left in the washing machine or dryer for more than 8 to 12 hours. After 8 to 12 hours bacteria and mildew will begin to form on the clothing, which results in bad smelling garments.
Wash the musty clothes in your washing machine on an extended cycle with warm or hot water, depending on the color and type of fabric. Use your normal laundry detergent, but don't overdo it. Adding too much detergent may contribute to excess residue on fabrics, trapping in odors. Avoid using fabric softeners.
Mildew has a milder, musty smell that some compare to damp socks, but mold smells stronger and more pungent. The reason mold has a more powerful odor is that as it grows, it produces microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs).
A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving clothes in the washer for more than 8 to 12 hours. However, Murphy says there's more to think about than just timing to prevent your clothes from smelling and mildewing, especially if you're prone to letting your laundry sit for hours at a time.
Drying in high humidity
If it is too humid or rainy to dry clothes outside, hang them on a rack inside with space between each garment. Use a fan to help circulate the air, or a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture. After you've done a load of washing, ensure as much moisture is removed from the clothes as possible.
Soak in Oxygen Bleach Solution
Completely submerge the stained fabric and allow it to soak for at least eight hours or overnight. If the stain is gone, wash as usual. If it remains, mix a new solution and repeat. Removing the mold and mildew stain may take several soakings, but it should come out.