What detergent gets rid of musty smell in clothes?

Author: Kale Bode  |  Last update: Monday, May 19, 2025

Simple Steps to Remove Musty Smells Achieve the best results with Tide Ultra Oxi Power Pods with Odor Eliminators as an in-wash booster. Simply add it to your wash along with Tide PODS® laundry detergent in either standard or high-efficiency washers. Use Downy Unstopables for freshness.

What laundry detergent gets rid of musty smell?

To remove mildew, use Tide with Bleach detergent and one cup of Ammonia, this should remove all odors from current load.

What kills musty smell in clothes?

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.

What neutralizes musty smell?

Create a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Pour it into a spray bottle and lightly mist the musty-smelling areas of the clothes. Allow the vinegar solution to sit on the fabric for about 15 minutes to help neutralize the odor.

Why do my clothes smell musty even after washing?

Clothes can smell old after washing for several reasons: Residual Detergent: If you use too much detergent, it may not rinse out completely, leading to a buildup that can trap odors. Mildew and Moisture: If clothes are left damp for too long before drying, mildew can form, resulting in a musty smell.

How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Clothes

What can I put in my washing machine to get rid of musty smell?

Adding a cup of vinegar during a hot wash cycle can help break down buildup, soften fabrics, and eliminate odors. It's also a natural alternative to fabric softener, keeping your machine clean and your clothes smelling fresh.

What is the best smelling laundry detergent?

Our top picks for the best-smelling laundry detergents of 2025
  • Best Overall. The Laundress Signature Detergent Classic. Read more.
  • Coolest Laundry Care Brand. Dedcool Dedtergent Xtra Milk. Read more.
  • Best Woody Scent. Snif Rain Check Everything Wash. Read more.

What is the best musty odor eliminator?

11 Best Odor Eliminators of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Cleaning Experts
  • Best Overall. Clorox Disinfecting Mist. Read more.
  • Best Value. Febreze Odor-Fighting Air Freshener. Read more.
  • Best for Bathroom Odors. Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray. Read more.

Will Febreze remove musty smell?

Febreze: Using Febreze is an easy way to get rid of that musty smell without needing any water! The only downside is that it's not a permanent solution. The best way to use it is to spray some onto your clothes before you put them away in a closet, and then spray it on again every time the smell comes back.

How to remove musty smell from clothes without washing?

If you want to save water and money, here are some alternatives to using your washing machine to keep your clothes smelling fresh.
  1. Let the Air and Sun Do All the Work. ...
  2. Alcohol and Water. ...
  3. Freeze the Offensive Clothes. ...
  4. Use Baking Soda. ...
  5. Use Lemon Juice. ...
  6. Make Use of Your Coffee Grounds. ...
  7. Essential Oils Are Your Friends.

Will oxiclean remove musty smell?

Sometimes the towels get a musty, mildew smell, and this gets rid of it completely. Also works great with food and pet odors, workout clothes, etc.

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.

How to get musty smell out of clothes dry clean only?

Baking soda has long been the go-to for soaking up and removing stinky smells, and its effects on dry cleaning odors are no different. Attach a small sock filled with baking soda into the sealed garment bag with your odorous item and allow it to sit.

How can I stop my clothes smelling musty?

White vinegar, diluted with warm water is a fail-safe method to rid that musty smell in your closet and eradicate lingering odours.

What is the best detergent for moldy clothes?

Remedy Laundry Liquid Detergent is specifically formulated to be used on washable clothes contaminated by mold. This environmental-friendly, super-concentrated laundry liquid delivers optimum cleaning power with just 1/8 cup per load.

How do you get musty smell out of clothes and towels?

Put your towels in the washing machine with your regular detergent and a warm or hot-water wash setting. For mild mustiness you can add a cup of vinegar to the washing machine for the final rinse cycle. For more extreme mustiness or visible mildew, try adding the vinegar earlier for an initial soak.

What neutralizes musty odor?

Along with all its other uses, baking soda is an excellent deodoriser that's suitable for use in the home. For example, to clean a smelly bin, try adding around 50 grams of baking soda to the bin followed by hot water.

How do I get rid of the musty smell in my laundry room?

The best ways to get rid of musty smells
  1. Open windows to get rid of stale air and bring fresh air into the space.
  2. Run a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
  3. Keep air circulating with box and ceiling fans.
  4. Decorate your home with houseplants that naturally clean the air.
  5. Dust regularly and thoroughly.

Is it okay to wear clothes that smell like mildew?

Is it safe to wear clothes that smell like mildew? Wearing musty clothes can trigger allergies and respiratory issues due to the mould spores. It is best to wash them thoroughly until the scent is gone before donning them again.

What is the best product for musty clothes?

Simple Steps to Remove Musty Smells

Achieve the best results with Tide Ultra Oxi Power Pods with Odor Eliminators as an in-wash booster. Simply add it to your wash along with Tide PODS® laundry detergent in either standard or high-efficiency washers. Use Downy Unstopables for freshness.

What is a homemade musty odor eliminator?

How to make an odor removal solution: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this solution to wipe down surfaces or spray into the air to neutralize odors. The vinegar smell dissipates quickly, taking unwanted odors with it.

What is the hardest smell to get rid of?

Some of the hardest and worst smells to get rid of are pet odours, mold, and cigarette smells.

How do people get their laundry to smell so good?

Using Fabric Softener:

Fabric softeners are specially designed to add a soft, pleasant scent to your clothes while reducing static and making them feel cozy. Simply add fabric softener to your laundry during the rinse cycle and let it work its magic.

Is powdered laundry detergent better than liquid?

Liquid detergents dissolve more easily at lower temperatures, making them suitable for energy-efficient cycles and machines. On the other hand, powder detergents can offer more cleaning power per kilogram, potentially providing a more cost-effective solution for heavy-duty washing needs.

Is Persil better than Tide?

The ONLY detergent that gets out tough stains better than this stuff is Persil. And the difference is very very very small. So small I miight even be just imagining there is a difference when there is none really. I have seen a study that said Persil is 2% better so, I might be influenced by that study.

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