Learn How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Clothes with one ingredient. You will be amazed at how fresh everything smells.

Dryer of clothes ready to fold.

Do you ever grab a fresh towel and get a not so fresh smell? It happens but we are going to show you how to get rid of mildew smell.

After prolonged use, those towels not only lose their freshness, but they begin to take on a less then appealing mildew smell. They can also have a musty smell if you leave wet clothes in the washing machine too long.

However, you only need one ingredient and that is vinegar! It is a natural deodorizer and leaves clothes smelling fresh.

Make sure to check out these 10 Amazing Vinegar uses You Have to Try.

Why We Love This

Yes, you really only need one ingredient. No complicated things to do or buy. Just one simple ingredient and it’s such an easy process.

You will be amazed! It’s not time consuming and pretty much effortless. Truly the vinegar in the washing machine does all the work!

There are so many uses, and this is probably one of my favorites. This also works to remove odor from damp clothes if they have a musty smell.

Supplies

  • 1 Cup Vinegar

How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell

  • Step 1. Wash clothes in hot water. Place clothes in the washing machine. The next time you notice your towels are getting musty, wash them in HOT water.
  • Step 2. Add vinegar to the water. Next, add about 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash. Just add the vinegar the way you would normally add your detergent.
  • Step 3. Finally, add the detergent. Many people suggest only adding vinegar to the wash and not using detergent. However, I really am sensitive to the smell of vinegar, so I washed my towels with the vinegar and the normal amount detergent for cleaning cycles.
  • Step 4. Dry your clothes. You can use the dryer and your regular fabric softener sheets. Another option is to allow them to line dry.

More Ways to Get Mildew Smell Out

  • Step 1. Wash again with baking soda. Just add 1 cup of baking soda to your washer. Wash as normal using the longest wash cycle. If clothes still have an odor, repeat the process again.
  • Step 2. Let the clothes air dry in direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight is a natural way to remove a mildew smell as well as other odors in clothes. The sun’s UV rays help to kill bacteria. They need to be in the sunlight for 6+ hours to remove the smells. If it is is really hot and, in the Summer, the time can be reduced for 3 hours. If you still smell a slight odor, line dry for another 30 minutes to an hour until the smell is completely gone.

    Expert Tips

    • Resistant Odors. Usually, vinegar does the trick. However, if you have an odor that is hard to remove, try all 3 methods. Wash the load of laundry in vinegar, wash again in baking soda and line dry in the sunlight. The combination of all 3 should do the trick. You can also soak in vinegar if needed.
    • Laundry Detergent. You can wash the clothes in vinegar but we prefer to also add detergent. The combination works great for our clothing and leaves everything nice and fresh. You can use your preference.
    • Buy in bulk. We use a lot of vinegar because it works so well on clothes. Vinegar can be purchased in bulk at Sam’s and other wholesale stores. I buy 2 gallons at a time, and it is much cheaper than buying lots of the smaller bottles.
    • Essential Oils. Add a few drops of essential oils to a cloth and place in the dryer for a fresh scent. Some ideas include tea tree oil and lavender.

    FAQs

    How does vinegar work to remove odors?

    It helps break down mold spores and neutralizes smells. It is a great addition to your regular detergent.

    Can you use on carpet?

    Yes, vinegar also works to remove the mildew smell from carpet. Use a spray bottle to put directly on the area of the carpet to help the odor in your home.

    Allow to air dry. If there is a musty odor, it will help to have fresh air. Baking soda also helps absorb odors on carpet.

    White vinegar works perfect to remove the mildew smell. The affected area will be totally free of mildew odor.

    You might want to test a small patch of carpet prior to spraying a large area.

    What causes mildew?

    Moisture is usually the culprit making clothes smell like they have been stored in a damp basement. Often closets are dark with little to no air flow.

    Wet or damp clothes in the bottom of the hamper or laundry basket will cause mildew. Sweaty clothes such as gym clothes stores in humid areas. It all can cause a bad scent.

    Do I need to clean my washing machine?

    Yes, there can be buildup of mildew in the drum, rubber seals and gaskets, inside of door or in the crevices of the washing machine. Learn How to Clean Washing Machine. I like to do an extra rinse cycle after cleaning so I can be sure any cleaning product residue is gone.

    More Easy Laundry Tips

    Toss all of those other products and buy some vinegar! It is so handy around the house. Leave a comment once you try it.

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    Comments

    1. MistyMommie says:

      Replace fabric softener with vinegar when washing towels. It will eliminate odor, soften towels and keep them absorbent.

    2. Tracey Surber traceysurber4@gmail.com says:

      Vinegar also does terrific to clean and fresen washing machine..Just add a cup or so and and turn washer on and let it run thru a wash cycle..

      1. carrie says:

        Great tip Tracey! Thanks for sharing.