You won't usually need to rewash laundry left in the washer overnight. However, under the right circumstances, mildew can begin forming on clothes quickly. If you detect an odor, simply rewashing clothes that were left overnight should be your first step.
While placing garments in the dryer or on the clothesline right after the cycle finishes is best practice, wet laundry should generally not stay in the washer for more than 8-12 hours. Mildew and mold thrive in warm, damp environments, and the washer provides an ideal setting if laundry is left too long.
Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine overnight is generally not recommended for several reasons. Wet clothes that sit in a closed, dark, and damp environment, such as the washing machine drum, are prone to developing unpleasant odors and even mildew.
Soaking clothes overnight, whether inside a washing machine or out, is best avoided. Follow recommended guidelines when soaking clothes and using chemicals, and always remember that prolonged soaking can and will damage your clothes.
Wet clothes trap moisture against your skin, which can lead to various health problems, including skin irritation, rashes, fungal infections, and even hypothermia in extreme cases. When you sleep in wet clothes, you also run the risk of catching a cold or flu due to poor body temperature regulation.
Abandon Your Clothes Overnight
Martha Stewart says leaving wet clothes overnight is “perfectly alright.” Martha's blog even says this can be a smart move if you're air drying the next morning—because sitting overnight helps get rid of excess water.
Storage of the laundry in a hamper or humid environment can result in the growth of odor-producing bacteria, molds, and, potentially, pathogenic bacteria (11, 40). The soil load may also enhance the potential for the growth of these microorganisms. Bacteria and fungi may survive for weeks to months in textiles (11).
Nothing bad will happen to your washing if you leave it out overnight, other than it will get a little damp from any dew. In the height of summer you don't even need to worry about dew. (I sometimes peg my washing out before I go to bed in summer so that it gets a head start for the morning.)
After a day or two in warm conditions the clothes will start to mildew and smell funky, but you can still salvage them at that point if you rewash them with fresh detergent and an oxygen bleach. Left for a week in the bag they will reek and be permanently stained.
Soaking clothes overnight can work well for really tough stains, but you don't always need to do it, and it can be a bit risky. For most stains, soaking for 4 to 6 hours should be enough. That said, if your only other option is to throw away the item, do try soaking in Oxi Clean for a few days and see if that helps.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Clothes left sitting wet become susceptible to these fungi, especially when exposed for 12 to 24 hours. Despite appearing harmless, they cause a strong, musty smell, making your clothes unpleasant. Over time, if mold or mildew develops, it becomes more challenging to eliminate.
A mixture of two parts borax to one part water creates a paste that, once applied to the stains and left for a few hours, can eliminate mildew. Rinse the paste off, then wash the clothes as usual.
One of the most prevalent New Year's superstitions is that on January 1 no washing should be done. However, some people go one step further and make it a custom to keep any dirty clothes unwashed from Christmas until New Year's Day.
Visible Mildew Spots
Leaving your clothes unattended for 24 hours is enough to build up mildew and moisture spots on your clothes.
Dry them immediately. The longer they stay wet, the more likely mold will grow. Never leave wet clothes or towels in the laundry basket. Let them air dry before you place them there or wash them right away.
Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours.
Clothes will dry when the water in them evaporates. And evaporation is a continuous phenomenon. It doesn't matter whether your clothes are outside or inside.
To pre-soak a stained item, fill a basin or sink with cold water and add a stain-specific pre-soak solution or a mixture of water and laundry detergent. Submerge the stained fabric and let it soak for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for tough stains.
Mildew loves damp places that don't get a lot of airflow, and it's capable of growing on any damp surface within just 24 to 48 hours. It can grow on clothes if you leave wet laundry in the washing machine for too long.
Do not leave laundry outside at night as it risks humidity and bad odors. Better to spread it out during the day for good drying in the air fresh.
How long can you leave wet washing for? If damp clothes or bedding have been left in the washing machine or a basket for more than 8-12 hours we recommend giving it another wash. If it's been over 12 hours it's a safe bet that they will need to be re-washed.
Drying clothes in a bedroom can increase humidity, promote mold growth, and lead to breathing problems. It's best to dry clothes in a well-ventilated area and use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
The short answer is yes, but it can take up to 12 hours to dry clothes outside in the winter. This means that you may even need to bring them inside to finish the drying process and make sure your laundry isn't damp.
When clothes come out of the washing machine, they are very damp and must be placed in a tumble dryer or outside on a clothesline. By hanging clothes on a clothes horse indoors, you create excess moisture in the home, which can lead to mould.
Original data on the survival of bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi and persistence of viruses on textiles were evaluated. Results: The survival of bacteria at room temperature was the longest on polyester (up to 206 days), whereas it was up to 90 days for some species on cotton and mixed fibers.