A musty smell on fabrics is typically the result of stinky mildew byproducts, including spores and other microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOC). As mold grows on your fabrics, it releases these organic compounds into the air, resulting in the tangy, earthy aroma we recognize as musty smell.
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.
Damp clothing and dirty clothing that is packed together without proper airflow are breeding grounds for nasty-smelling bacteria, mildew or mold —all of which can contribute to bad odors that linger after the wash. To combat this, make sure your dirty clothes are dry before tossing them in a basket.
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.
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.
Is Mold on Clothes Toxic? Mold can produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. These mycotoxins can bring many health conditions, such as allergies, skin rashes, and respiratory problems. It can be challenging to remove mold from clothing, and the longer it goes untreated, the more damaging it may become.
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.
If it's been over 12 hours it's a safe bet that they will need to be re-washed. Bacteria and mildew can begin to form on the laundry, which results in bad-smelling garments and linen.
It won't hurt to leave your clothes in the washer for up to 12 hours. However, according to Mold Busters, bacteria, mildew, and visible mold can grow on clothes in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Put your musty clothes in a large plastic bag and sprinkle in some baking soda. Give the bag a good shake so the baking soda covers all of your clothes and then leave it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, remove your clothes, brush off the baking soda, and bam—no more musty smell!
Bleach. A very strong chemical, bleach can be very effective at killing mould and removing mildew stains. However, it will also fade any colours, so use bleach only on whites, or test your garment first on an inconspicuous part of your clothing (such as the inside hem).
Vinegar and baking soda both kill mold and mildew, but they attack different strains of these odor-causing bacteria. If you've already tried vinegar and your clothes still smell moldy, add 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of baking soda into the wash, and run the cycle with the hottest water possible.
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.
Mold exists everywhere — in the air, in the dirt, in our homes and yes, in our washing machines. Mold spores travel great distances, hitchhiking on a breeze or a soft cashmere sweater. When they settle on something damp, they start to grow. It's nearly impossible to get rid of mold.
Mold and mildew smell stale and pungent, similar to the smell of rotting wood. It's most common smelled in either places where mold spores can colonize undisturbed like basements and closets, or in places where there is plenty of moisture like bathrooms.
Prolonged exposure to mildew can cause a lot more than a runny nose. Prolonged exposure to mold and mildew can have serious consequences for your health and well-being. Many suffer immediately after being exposed to spores, especially if they rest on clothing in close proximity to the mouth and nose.
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).
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.
Mold generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black. Mildew is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat, and grows on surfaces.
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.
You left your clothes in the washer too long.
A dark, wet environment like a washing machine is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and mildew to thrive. These can build up in your clothing as time goes on, eventually leaving them with a permanent odor.
Mildew grows in moist areas like basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. It looks like white/grey powder on your clothing.
If the garments smell just a little musty and/or you see small patch of mildew forming, a standard washing might be enough to reverse the damage. Add a scoop of OxiClean to your washing machine along with your normal detergent.