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Are you annoyed by the smell of damp clothes?
Re-washing and drying clothes can be time-consuming and a waste of money and water.
The damp smell can be quite noticeable and make you feel embarrassed.
There are many great ways to prevent clothes from getting damp. We’ve collected them all here, so you can get rid of that damp smell forever.
Different parts of your laundry routine can cause dampness.
It will remain until the clothes are washed again.
The most common time the musty odour appears is when clothing is drying in the dryer.
Tumble dryers and washing machines can produce mould and mildew, which can then transfer onto laundry.
This post has been divided into the following sections to help you find the right advice for your situation.
Where does the Damp Smell Come from?
We will explain the causes of dampness so that you can better understand how to deal with it.
Clothes That Smell Damp
Here are some tips to help you determine if the clothes are causing the damp smell.
Clothes That Smell Damp When Drying Within
How to dry your clothes without making them smell musty and damp.
What to Do if your washing machine smells musty
How to clean your washing machine and get rid of mildew and mould odours.
What to do if clothes smell damp after tumble drying
Here are some tips to make your clothes freshen up after washing, but not dry after drying.
DID THE DAMP SMELL COME OUT OF?
It is easier to prevent clothes from smelling damp if the cause of the smell is known.
Most cases of musty smell are caused by mold and mildew.
It can attach to fabrics during washing and drying, or grow from damp clothes that are unable or unwilling to dry properly.
Once the mould has attached itself to the fabric, it will stay there until removed.
Because of this, even after your clothes have been dried and folded away, the musty smell remains.
This will allow you to determine which stage of laundry is causing the damp stench.
Skip to the relative section to learn more about possible treatments if you know what it is.
Continue reading to find out if dampness is coming from where it might be.
HOW DO YOU STOP CLOTHES SELLING DAMP
The drying environment and the washing environment are usually responsible for damp smells.
This means that the damp smell can either come from the laundry machine or while the clothes are drying.
So that you can easily find the right tips for your situation, we have divided our tips into different categories.
First, how to stop clothes from drying damp is important. Next is how to prevent damp clothes from getting washed in the washer.
The last section explains what to do if your clothes are still damp from tumble drying.
If you are certain that the clothes cause the damp smell, then add white vinegar or colour-safe bleach to your washing machine.
Bleach and white vinegar are excellent at killing mildew and mould, but it is best to use colour-safe clothes to prevent permanent staining.
Our Clean and Tidy Living article Where can I buy white vinegar for cleaning in the UK contains many tips and tricks.
HOW DO YOU STOP CLOTHES FROM SMELLING DAMP AFTER DRYING INSIDE
Drying clothes indoors and getting a damp stench is a sign that there is too much moisture.
This often happens in tiny spaces, such as laundry rooms or flats.
Towels and clothes that take longer to dry can allow mould and mildew growth.
The sooner clothes dry, the lower the chance of mould spores growing and causing a stench.
Too much moisture can cause a host of other issues. This includes black mould, as well as health problems such breathing difficulties.
These are some solutions to consider if this is your situation.
Use a Heated Drying Rack
The faster drying of clothes by heated airers prevents mildew and mould growth.
This one is from ABIS: We love it! Also, this Enowva ClothesAirer is more affordable.
You can also use a dry pod if you don’t have a lot of laundry: Vivo(c), Portable Fast Drying Electric Clothes Dryer.
Use A Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air and make it easier to dry laundry.
It also stops mould growth, which is better for our health.
There are many capacities available for dehumidifers.
To avoid constantly emptying the water container, we believe choosing the largest size that fits your space and budget is better.
This 12 Litre dehumidifier is our favorite, but there are many other options. Inventor – Dehumidifier Fresh 12L.
Reduce Load Sizes
For smaller apartments or spaces, it may be a better idea to wash clothes less often so that you have less clothes drying at once.
This will likely make you feel like you are always washing your laundry so it is not the most efficient or space-saving option.
Close To A Radiator
This is the oldest trick in all of the books, but it still works.
To make the most of the heat from the radiator, move your drying racks and/or install a clothes-horse near a radiator.
You can also hang clothes on radiators to dry, but this is not a good option for large loads of laundry.
Open Windows
This is an age-old trick that works wonders for damp.
Open the window to allow for proper ventilation and moisture escape.
This is England so it is only possible in the summer. In which case, drying clothes outside is preferred.
However, letting some air in, as everyone’s parents used the phrase, can do wonders to prevent black mould growth and reduce the amount of water in your home.
HOW TO GET RID of Damp SMELL IN CLOTHES If YOUR WASING MACHINE Smells MUSTY
It could be one of these two things: If you notice that your clothes have a damp smell when they come out of the washer, it is probably a sign of something else.
Either:
- Washing laundry in the machine for too long can cause mould and mildew growth.
- The washing machine has a mould problem that is transferring onto laundry, causing it smell.
If you believe the problem is laundry being left to dry too long, then take it out as soon as the cycle is over.
If you suspect that the problem is with the washing machine itself, it’s time to clean it thoroughly.
Washing machines can be de-moulded quite quickly due to their metal and plastic components.
Cleaning around the rubber seal (gasket), which stops water leaking out of the machine, is the only tricky part.
This rubber seal is where mildew and mould can build up, causing unpleasant odours.
How to Clean a Washing Machine
We have two posts that will help you clean your washing machine: How to Clean a Washing Machine with White Vinegar and How to Clean a Front Loading Washing Machine with Vinegar and Baking Soda.
However, if you prefer the shorter version of how to clean your washing machine,
Use your favorite cleaner and a microfibre towel to spray and wipe all surfaces of your washer.
This includes removing the detergent drawer and cleaning out every last drop.
Spray the rubber seal with a microfibre fabric to remove all gunk, hair, and mould.
We recommend that you not use bleach or other strong chemicals to clean your washer or dryer. This will prevent permanent staining of the laundry from washing.
If you haven’t used a washer cleaner yet, it is worth cleaning your washing machine.
By cleaning the appliance’s interior, washing machine cleaners can improve the laundry smell.
They won’t clean rubber gaskets or detergent drawers. This is to ensure that mould and odour don’t return.
Check out our Clean and Tidy Living recommendations The Best Washing machine cleaner in the UK.
WHAT DO YOU DO IF CLOTHES SELL DAMP AFTER TUMBLLE DRYING?
Tumble Dryer + Filter and Condenser
Tumble dryers also need to be cleaned and often overlook our cleaning routines.
You can prevent mould and mildew from growing by cleaning out the condenser and filter every time you use the appliance.
It will dry your clothes faster and better, so it is definitely worth the extra time.
Ensure to inspect the rubber door seal for mold and mildew by wiping the inside with a microfibre towel.
Use white vinegar to remove any mould or gunk from your cloth. Next, wipe the cloth with a dry cloth until it is dry.
Lower Load Size
When mould has had enough time to grow on surfaces, damp smells can develop. The dryer was likely too full if clothes come out of dryers with damp odors.
Reduce the amount of drying material used to dry your clothes and check if you still get the same smell.
It may be time to replace your tumble dryer if it produces a damp odor with smaller loads.
Washing Machine
Dryers are usually very good at drying clothes. A damp smell after drying clothes could be due to the washing cycle.
Mould can easily grow in washing machines. It attaches to wet laundry and then thrives in hot air from the tumble dryer.
If the damp smell persists after cleaning the dryer or reducing the load size, you can try cleaning your washing machine to see if the problem is there.
TOP TIPS TO STOP CLOTHES SELLING DAMP – THE ROUNDUP
Damp could be so complex, didn’t you know?
It turns out that damp smells can occur at any stage of laundry, including washing, drying, and wear.
It can, however, be overcome in many ways.
It won’t cost too much to eliminate the musty odor.
Here are the key points to help clothes smell fresh.
- Washing machines and tumble dryers should be free of mould
- Wash clothes with colour-safe bleach and white vinegar to remove damp odors
- Dry clothes indoors by reducing the moisture content. Also, ensure that the room is sufficiently warm.
- Do not leave damp clothes in the washer or laundry basket after washing. Mold and mildew love to thrive in this environment.
We hope you found our tips useful in removing damp odors from laundry.
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