How to Get Rid of Mildew Smell in Clothes: Easy DIY Methods

Learning how to get rid of mildew smell in clothes comes down to understanding one key fact: that musty odor is caused by living mold and mildew spores feeding on moisture trapped in the fabric, so simply washing with regular detergent often is not enough to kill them. The smell develops when damp clothes sit too long, whether forgotten in the washer, packed away wet, or stored in a humid space. The good news is that common household ingredients like white vinegar and baking soda are remarkably effective at neutralizing the odor and killing the spores that cause it.

At D and G Flooring we care about a fresh, healthy home from the floors up, and persistent musty odors are a sign of moisture that deserves attention. This guide gives you seven proven methods to banish mildew smell and keep it from coming back.

Why Clothes Develop a Mildew Smell

Mildew is a type of mold that thrives in warm, damp, dark conditions, exactly what you create when wet laundry sits too long. The musty odor is actually the byproduct of these microorganisms growing and releasing gases as they feed on the moisture and organic residue in your fabric. Common causes include:

• Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine for hours or overnight.
• Putting slightly damp clothes away in drawers or closets.
• Storing fabrics in humid basements, attics, or sealed bins.
• A washing machine that itself harbors mold, especially front-loaders.
• Towels and gym clothes that never fully dry between uses.

Because the cause is living organisms, the solution must actually kill or neutralize them, not just mask the smell with fragrance.

Method 1: White Vinegar Wash

White vinegar is the single most effective home remedy because its acidity kills mildew spores and neutralizes odor. Add one to two cups of white vinegar directly to the wash drum, then run the affected clothes through a hot water cycle, using the warmest temperature the fabric care label allows. You can add your regular detergent in the same load or run the vinegar alone first for heavily affected items. The vinegar smell rinses away completely, leaving fabric fresh and odor-free.

Method 2: Baking Soda Boost

Baking soda neutralizes odors and helps lift mildew residue. Add half a cup to one cup of baking soda to the wash along with your detergent. For a powerful combination, wash with vinegar first, then run a second cycle with baking soda, adding the two at separate stages rather than mixing them directly. This one-two approach tackles even stubborn musty smells.

Method 3: Hot Water Washing

Heat kills mildew. Whenever the fabric care label permits, wash smelly clothes in the hottest water setting available, since hot water is far more effective at destroying mold spores than cold. Always check the label first, because some delicate or heat-sensitive fabrics can shrink or be damaged. For items that cannot take high heat, rely more heavily on the vinegar and baking soda methods.

Method 4: Oxygen-Based Bleach Soak

For persistent odors, soak the clothes in a solution of oxygen-based bleach (not chlorine bleach) and warm water for several hours or overnight before washing. Oxygen bleach is color-safe for most fabrics and effective at killing mildew while brightening. This presoak gives the active ingredients time to penetrate and destroy the spores deep in the fibers.

Method 5: Sunlight Drying

Never underestimate the power of the sun. Ultraviolet light is a natural disinfectant that kills mold spores and helps eliminate odor, while the dry air pulls moisture from the fabric. After washing, hang the clothes outside in direct sunlight to dry completely. Sunlight also naturally brightens whites. This method is free, effective, and a great finishing step after any wash.

Method 6: Borax Wash

Borax is a natural mineral that inhibits mold growth and boosts cleaning power. Dissolve half a cup of borax in warm water and add it to the wash along with your detergent. It works especially well in combination with hot water and is a useful tool for fabrics that keep developing musty smells.

Method 7: Clean the Washing Machine Itself

If your clothes keep coming out smelling musty no matter what you do, the problem may be the machine, not the laundry. Mold often grows in the rubber gasket of front-loading washers and in detergent dispensers. To fix this, run an empty hot cycle with two cups of vinegar, then a second empty cycle with a cup of baking soda. Wipe down the door seal, dispenser, and drum, paying close attention to the folds of the gasket where mold hides. Leave the door open between uses so the interior dries out. A clean machine is essential to keeping clothes fresh.

How to Prevent Mildew Smell From Returning

Eliminating the smell is only half the battle. These habits keep it from coming back:

• Move laundry to the dryer or line promptly instead of leaving it wet in the washer.
• Make sure clothes are completely dry before folding or storing them.
• Hang towels and gym clothes to dry fully between uses rather than tossing them in a pile.
• Leave the washer door open after each load so it can air out.
• Control humidity in storage areas with a dehumidifier or moisture absorbers.
• Avoid overloading the washer, which prevents proper cleaning and rinsing.
• Do not over-pack closets and drawers, allowing air to circulate around stored clothes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Simply adding more fragrant detergent, which masks the smell while the mildew survives.
• Drying clothes that are not fully clean, locking in the odor.
• Mixing vinegar and baking soda directly instead of using them in separate steps.
• Ignoring a moldy washing machine that re-contaminates every load.
• Storing clothes that are even slightly damp.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to get rid of mildew smell in clothes means treating the cause, not just the symptom. Wash with white vinegar or baking soda, use hot water when the fabric allows, soak stubborn items in oxygen bleach, and finish by drying in the sun. Just as importantly, keep your washing machine clean and never let damp laundry sit. With these simple DIY methods and good moisture habits, you can keep every load smelling fresh and clean for good.