Storing sheets in closed spaces without proper air circulation traps moisture and encourages musty smells to develop. Even using the wrong detergent amount can leave residue that traps moisture and leads to that unwanted musty odor.
A residue of body oils, moisturizing products, sweat, etc can build up on textiles and harbor bacteria that makes things musty. I add a cup of clear ammonia with the detergent in a warm or hot wash to rid the fabrics of all that. Never mix ammonia with bleach.
The main culprits are moisture, warmth, and lack of air circulation.
Soak in baking soda: Fill a bathtub or basin with hot water and add 1 cup of baking soda. Soak the sheets for 30 minutes to an hour, then wash as usual. The baking soda can help to remove odors and leave your sheets smelling fresh.
Fill a bathtub or large container with hot water and mix in equal parts borax, washing soda, and laundry detergent (about 1/4 cup each), then submerge your clean sheets completely in the solution.
Hotels often use a combination of high-temperature washing cycles and industrial-strength laundry equipment to maintain linen freshness. This process effectively removes stains and disinfects the fabric.
Use a flour sifter to sprinkle baking soda over your mattress surface and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. The longer you keep the baking soda, the better the results. You can leave it on for up to 24 hours. While the baking soda sits on your mattress, keep your windows open to expose your bed to natural light.
Spritz your sheets
A room or linen spray can do wonders transforming your bedroom into an oasis. Schulz recommends scents like lavender, sage and sandalwood, which are calming and encourage you to relax. But really, pick any fragrance that will transport you! All you need is a light misting to do the trick.
Sprinkle with baking soda
Baking soda really is one of those magical ingredients. From neutralising odours to giving cookies a light and fluffy texture, it's an affordable, must-have item. The good news is you can also use it to freshen up your sheets because it naturally absorbs moisture and odour-causing particles.
'If you're not washing your bedding frequently, the sweat, oil, and dead skin cells combined with moisture from sweat and humidity can spell a musty odor you can't ignore,' he warns. 'Aim to include them when doing laundry at least once a week.
To cut to the chase, Dr Browning says we should be changing our sheets once a week, or every two weeks at the most.
Sweat and Sebum
It's a fact that everyone sweats and releases natural body oils while sleeping. Although sweat stains may not be visible immediately, they gradually accumulate, leading to unsightly yellowish stains. Sweat and sebum provide an ideal environment for bacterial growth, which can cause unpleasant odours.
Over time, detergents and fabric softeners can accumulate inside the washing machine, especially if too much is used or if it's not suitable for your specific machine. This buildup can trap odors and foster bacteria and mold growth, which in turn can leave clothes smelling less than fresh.
Do your bath towels smell musty? Bad news: that sour odor you smell when drying off from your shower is caused by microbes in your towels. Every time you use a towel, you transfer bacteria, viruses and dead skin cells (which are food for microbes) from your skin onto the towel.
Hotels use high-quality sheets that are crafted from premium materials like Egyptian cotton, microfiber, or bamboo. These sheets have a higher thread count and provide a soft and durable surface for you to sleep on, promote temperature regulation, and contribute to an overall sense of well-being during your sleep.
2) Baking Soda:
Soak the linens for an hour or two before washing them, as usual, in the washer for a regular cycle. Baking soda can also be used outside of the washer in its box. Keeping a baking soda box inside, wherever you store your linens, will also help reduce odors.
Moisture and sweat are the main contributors to smelly bed sheets. Sweat accumulation provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. As they multiply, they produce odours, which are the foul-smelling stench. Your skin also produces natural oils, which can exacerbate the smell when mixed with sweat.
The most common contributors to a smelly mattress include: Sweat and body secretions – Mattresses absorb the sweat and body oils you produce while sleeping over weeks, months, and years.
Here's how often she recommends changing your mattress based on its material: Latex: 10 to 15 years. Memory foam: Lower-quality mattresses should be changed after around five years have passed. Better-quality ones can be switched out every eight to 10 years.
Mold is often described as smelling musty. Others have described mold as having an earthy or meaty odor, resembling the smell of wet socks or rotten wood. For many homeowners, the smell is unpleasant and pungent. As mold grows, it can emit gasses known as microbial volatile organic compounds, or MVOC's.
DIY Dryer Sheets
To make the sheet, wet the cloth and wring out before adding five drops of essential oils, like lavender or orange, all over the cloth. Toss the cloth in the dryer during the last 10 minutes of the drying cycle for best results.
Unlike sheets, it's rare for comforters to get washed between guest stays. In fact, some hotel housekeepers admit that these top layers are only changed if there is a spill or a funky smell!
Most hotels put pillow protectors on their cyclical laundry schedule—only washing them when they become visibly soiled or monthly/quarterly. If you only use pillow protectors, you'd need to remove them and wash them after each guest, which takes far more time than removing a pillowcase.