How to get the smell out of wet clothes?

Author: Paxton Trantow  |  Last update: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Add 1 cup of white vinegar to your machine's detergent cup or mix a cup of white vinegar with ½ cup water and then add to the washer — no need to add a detergent. Hot water combined with vinegar will break up any bacteria accumulated on your clothes. As a result, the funky musty smell will go away.

How do you get the damp smell out of clothes?

Add a cup of vinegar or a cup of baking soda to the wash to combat odors. Consider using a clothesline to dry your clothes outside to get a fresh outdoors scent. Use half a cup of pine-scented cleaner in the washer (the pine smell will be eliminated after a cycle in the dryer). Put musty, dry clothing in the freezer.

How to get stink out of wet clothes?

Add a cup of vinegar or a cup of baking soda to the wash to combat odors. Consider using a clothesline to dry your clothes outside to get a fresh outdoors scent. Use half a cup of pine-scented cleaner in the washer (the pine smell will be eliminated after a cycle in the dryer). Put musty, dry clothing in the freezer.

How do you get the smell out of over soaked clothes?

Soak your clothes in dilute vinegar in the bath. The try washing again and getting dry asap. Sometimes the smell hangs around even when washed without doing a vinegar rinse first to kill the bacteria making the smell.

Do wet clothes smell go away?

If clothing is stored slightly damp -- it will likely catch mildew and gain the smell. If clothing is allowed to sit in the washer wet or damp for more than 1 to 2 hours before drying, it will likely grow mildew. Placing the clothing in a heated dryer, will not remove the smell -- it's already growing in the fabric.

How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Clothes

How to remove bad smell from clothes in rainy season?

Here are 6 effective and easy tips for you to keep your clothes clean and fresh during the monsoons with your regular home laundry appliances.
  1. Wash them immediately. ...
  2. Iron away the moisture. ...
  3. Use Camphor balls. ...
  4. Use scented detergent. ...
  5. Allow the clothes to dry completely. ...
  6. Deodorize your washing machine.

How long to soak clothes in vinegar to remove smell?

If your gym clothes are particularly smelly try putting them in the freezer for a while before you pre-wash them (in a sealed plastic bag), to kill the smells and bacteria. Soak the clothes in a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water in a bucket or a tub for an hour or overnight.

How do you wash clothes that smell really bad?

Add White Distilled Vinegar

Add one cup of baking soda or white distilled vinegar to your wash water each time you wash exercise clothes. The baking soda or white distilled vinegar will help neutralize odor and make your detergent work more efficiently.

Where to put vinegar in a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

What liquid removes smell from clothes?

For maximum results, we recommend a three-step process with Vanish Oxi Action Liquid. All you have to do is either pre-treat, soak or use in the wash to remove body odour from clothes, including sweat.

What happens if you soak clothes for too long?

A good soaking is generally helpful for removing stubborn stains, but too long a soaking and your clothes will eventually fall apart. If you're using any kind of chemicals to wash clothes, follow the manufacturer's instructions for using them as incorrect use can cause a lot of damage.

Why do my clothes still smell after washing?

There can be many reasons why your laundry isn't smelling fresh. Musty odours can result from various factors, including insufficient drying, overloading the washing machine, or using too little detergent. Ensuring proper washing and drying techniques and regular machine maintenance can help achieve a fresh scent.

What neutralizes damp smell?

To absorb and neutralize odors, use natural deodorizing agents such as coffee grounds, citrus peels, or white vinegar. Position bowls of coffee grounds or vinegar in the area or simmer citrus peels in water to release their refreshing scent. Regulate humidity levels: Musty odors can be exacerbated by excess humidity.

How do you get wet clothes smell out without rewashing?

Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle, and lightly spritz the affected areas of your clothing. Allow it to air dry, and the vinegar smell will dissipate, taking the unwanted odors with it. This method works well for removing musty smells and is safe for most fabrics.

Does damp smell ever go away?

Ultimately, the only way to truly eliminate musty smells from your home is to get rid of the mould that's causing them.

What happens if you use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.

Can you use too much vinegar in laundry?

Using vinegar in the wash shouldn't be an everyday thing for every load. Using it daily can damage the washing machine, especially the rubber parts, and repeated use could damage delicate fabrics. Limit use to an as-needed basis, after clothes have dulled or as residue begins to build up.

How to get rid of damp clothes smell?

Wash clothes ASAP, especially if you get sweaty or wet while wearing them. Wash clothes inside out to give them a deeper clean. Add a cup of baking soda or 2 cups of vinegar to your wash cycle to shift odours. Don't forget to clean your washing machine too!

What is the best solution for smelly clothes?

Vinegar: Add one cup of vinegar to a bucket of cold water and soak your smelly clothes for up to 30 minutes. Baking Soda: Add one cup of baking soda to your wash load with your detergent and wash in cold water. Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice of one lemon into your wash load to extinguish odor-causing bacteria.

Why do my clothes smell when they get wet?

This is happens when clothes are left damp for extended periods or when they're dried in a tumble dryer or clothesline with bad ventilation. The trapped moisture creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, adding to the musty smell. To prevent this, it's important to ensure that your clothes are dried thoroughly.

Is vinegar or baking soda better for smelly laundry?

Use baking soda and white vinegar to get rid of smells

A cup of baking soda is a great way to get rid of odors - in fact, it's one of the best. It absorbs smells by using its porous structure and neutralizing them. Distilled white vinegar is also an excellent substance when it comes to getting rid of nasty smells!

How to get bo smell out of clothes?

You can try using vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine. Not only will it help remove odours but it will also soften your clothes. If you have the option, drying the clothes in the sunshine will also help.

Is it okay to soak clothes in vinegar overnight?

Stain Removal: As a stain remover, vinegar effectively treats low-pH stains like coffee, tea, fruit juice, wine, and beer. To use it, soak the stained item for at least 30 minutes up to overnight in a solution of white vinegar and 1 Tbsp. liquid laundry detergent before laundering.

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