How To Get Mildew Smell Out Of Clothes?
QUICK ANSWER
Get mildew smell out of clothes by soaking in undiluted white vinegar for 1 hour, then washing on the hottest setting with detergent plus 1 cup of baking soda. Air-dry in direct sunlight. Vinegar and baking soda kill the bacteria that cause the smell. Repeat if needed.
The musty mildew smell in clothes comes from bacteria and mold spores that survived the wash, usually because clothes sat damp too long before drying. The smell sticks to the fabric fibers and regular washing often does not remove it. The right combination of vinegar and baking soda kills the cause and removes the smell. Here is the method that actually works and how to prevent the smell from returning.
What causes the mildew smell?
Bacteria and mold spores accumulate on damp fabric and produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that you smell as musty or mildewy. The smell most commonly develops when clothes sit wet in the washer too long after the cycle ends, when towels and gym clothes are stored damp, or when fabrics are stored in humid spaces like basements. The bacteria embed in the fabric fibers and survive normal washing. Detergent alone does not kill them; you need an acidic or alkaline treatment that specifically targets the bacterial source.
How do you wash it out?
Soak the smelly clothes in 1 cup of white vinegar mixed with enough water to cover the items, for 1 hour. The vinegar kills bacteria and breaks down the residue causing the smell. Then transfer to the washer and run on the hottest setting the fabric allows. Add normal detergent plus 1 cup of baking soda directly to the drum (not the dispenser). The baking soda neutralizes any remaining odor compounds. Air-dry in direct sunlight if possible since UV light continues the bacterial kill.
What if the smell will not come out?
For stubborn cases that survive the vinegar and baking soda treatment, try an oxygen bleach soak (OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover) for 4 to 6 hours in warm water. The oxygen reaction breaks down the bacterial residue at a deeper level than vinegar. For really stubborn smells, an enzyme-based detergent (Tide Plus, Persil, or specialty sportswear detergents like WIN) breaks down the protein and oil residues that hold smell. Some clothes (especially polyester athletic wear) develop permanent smell after years of buildup that no treatment fully removes.
How do you prevent it from coming back?
Move washed clothes from the washer to the dryer or hanging within 30 minutes of cycle end. Never leave wet clothes in the washer overnight. Wash towels and gym clothes within a day or two rather than letting them sit in the hamper damp. Use less detergent than you think (about half the bottle recommendation); excess detergent residue feeds bacteria. Run a monthly washer cleaning cycle (see washing machine cleaning article). Leave the washer door open between loads to air-dry the drum.
The mildew smell in clothes is caused by bacteria embedded in fabric fibers. Vinegar soak plus hot wash with baking soda kills them and removes the smell. Sunlight air-drying finishes the job. For stubborn cases, oxygen bleach or enzyme detergent goes deeper. Prevention is faster than treatment: move clothes from washer promptly, dry items fully before storing, keep the washer itself clean.
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