How to get rid of that rainy sock odour from your washing load

The Problem Of Stinky Indian Laundry And Muggy Weather 

It’s a stinky smell you can’t escape. 

When you take a load of clothes out of the washing machine, there is the dreaded smell we all associate to socks with old and musty clothes. It surely captures what socks smell like, but not in a pleasant way. When you take a fresh whiff hoping this time is different and smells refreshing, it doesn’t. You get hit with that dreadful sock stench. 

And let’s be real, shielding your nostrils from monsoon weather smells thanks to laundry powder should not make you lose your whole day . 

Now living in India comes with its challenges like extremely thick air , hot water and never ending lines when doing laundry during peak (Mumbai traffic.)

Why Do Socks Smell So Bad After Washing?

This isn’t about dirty feet. It’s about science. And sweat.

Here’s what’s really going on:

1. Bacteria survives your wash

Most people use cold or regular temperature water. But bacteria that causes odour? It doesn’t die in cold water.

2. Socks trap moisture

Socks are tight, thick, and usually made of blended fabrics. That combo is great for sweat but terrible for ventilation. And in humid weather, they don’t dry well.

3. You’re washing too many clothes at once

When you overload the machine, clothes rub but don’t rinse properly. The result? Dirt stays. The smell stays.

4. Your machine smells too

Yup. If your washer’s drum or filter is dirty, it transfers that stink onto your clothes. Think of it like cooking in a smelly kadai.

So, what can you do?

Let’s break it down into real, easy-to-do, Indian-home-friendly steps.

Step 1: Don’t Wash Socks Like You Wash Everything Else

Socks need special treatment. Not because they’re fancy, but because they’re gross.

Before you put them in the wash:

• Always turn socks inside out.
  That’s where most of the bacteria and dead skin is sitting.
• Separate them.
  Don’t dump socks with towels, jeans, and kitchen clothes. If possible, do a small “intimate load” with socks, underwear, and gym wear.
• Use the right detergent.
  In the monsoon, liquid detergent works better than powder. It dissolves quickly and leaves less residue.

And please don’t think adding more detergent will help. It doesn’t. In fact, it traps more soap inside the fabric, making socks feel sticky and smellier later.

Step 2: Use Warm Water Intelligently

In regular weather, cold washes are fine. But during monsoon?

You need heat.

Warm water helps kill the kind of bacteria that creates odour. If you’re lucky to have a washing machine with an in-built heater, use it.

Machines like the HWM80-H826S6 (8kg) model come with an in-built butterfly-shaped heater that allows deep, warm washes. This doesn’t just clean it sanitises the fabric, especially socks and underwear, which tend to trap bacteria deeply.

Plus, it’s great for towels and gym wear too.

Step 3: Run the Tub Clean Mode Every Week (Yes, Really)

Your washing machine can smell too, especially in the monsoon when the drum stays damp longer.

What helps:

• Use the Tub Clean function once a week
  
• Run it empty with hot water + 1 cup white vinegar
  
• Leave the lid open after every wash to let the drum air out

Haier’s 9 Kg Fully Automatic Top Load (HWM90-H688BK) comes with Anti-Scaling Technology to prevent limescale buildup and an Oceanus Wave Drum that mimics ocean currents for a gentle yet powerful clean. But just like your clothes, the drum also needs care.

Step 4: Stop Drying Socks the Wrong Way

This is the biggest game-changer.

Most Indian homes dry clothes indoors in monsoon. But socks need air. Not just dryness circulation.

Here’s what works:

• Don’t ball up your socks. Unroll and spread them flat.
• Hang them near windows, balconies, or under a ceiling fan.
• Use a stand fan to help airflow if natural breeze is missing.
• And if you get even 20 minutes of sunlight use it.

Pro tip: Do an extra spin cycle in your washer. The more water removed before drying, the less chance of mildew setting in.

Haier’s machines are designed with high RPM spin cycles that help clothes come out almost half-dry. That means less indoor drying time, less smell, and more peace.

Step 5: Add a Natural Booster

If you still get occasional smell, try these:

• Add 1 tbsp baking soda directly into the drum before the wash
• Use a cup of white vinegar in the softener compartment (it’ll kill germs and soften clothes)
• Drop a few drops of tea tree or lavender essential oil into your rinse cycle

This trick helps especially when you’re washing for kids, gym-goers, or anyone with sweaty feet.

Step 6: Clean Your Filters. Yes, Filters.

People often forget this. But washing machines have filters. They collect lint, hair, gunk and smell.

The 8kg model comes with 2X Magic Filters that are super easy to clean. Do it every few days during monsoon. Just take them out, rinse under water, and dry.

If you don’t clean them, all the dirt ends up going right back into your clothes.

Step 7: Set Up a “Monsoon Mode” in Your Laundry Routine

Just like we eat differently in monsoon (less fried, more hot), your laundry also needs a weather-specific plan.

Here’s a sample Monsoon Mode:

• Separate Socks + Underwear + Gymwear
• Use warm water cycle with heater on
• Add vinegar or essential oil in rinse
• Run extra spin cycle
• Dry with max air circulation
• Wipe machine drum and lid after every wash

Stick to this flow, and your laundry starts smelling fresher even in peak July moisture.

Quick Fix for Already Smelly Socks

Let’s say you forgot. And now you have socks that are clean but still smell damp. Here’s how to save them:

1. Fill a bucket with warm water
2. Add half a cup white vinegar
3. Soak the socks for 30 minutes
4. Rinse and spin-dry in the machine
5. Dry near a fan or window

If the smell doesn’t go in one try, repeat with baking soda the next day. Works like magic.

Can My Old Washing Machine Handle All This?

Maybe. But it depends on your model.

Here’s what modern machines offer that really help in monsoon:

Feature	Why It Matters
In-built heater	Kills germs and odour during humid season
Softfall lid	No accidental slams in tight balconies
Lint filters	Keeps your washer smelling clean
High RPM spin	Shortens indoor drying time
Drum Clean Mode	Keeps machine fresh and odour-free
Low pressure-friendly wash	Useful when water supply is weak in monsoon

Both the Haier 8kg and 9kg top load models tick these boxes. They also look sleek, use less energy, and are built with Indian water conditions in mind.

Don’t Blame the Rain. Blame the Routine.

That rainy sock smell? It’s not just a weather problem. It’s a routine problem.

But the good news is, it’s totally fixable with:

• Slight habit changes
• Some natural ingredients from your kitchen
• And the right machine that’s smart enough for our Indian monsoon life

Let Your Socks Smell Like Nothing

Not perfume. Not detergent. Just clean.

That’s the gold standard.

And with the right steps, and the right washer, it’s 100% doable.

Your Next Step

If you’re dealing with soggy laundry, weak drying, and smelly socks every monsoon, maybe it’s time to upgrade your washing game.

Check out:

Haier HWM80-H826S6 (8kg)

• In-built butterfly heater for deeper cleaning
• 2X Magic Filter for better lint removal
• Oceanus Wave Drum for gentle but effective washes

Haier HWM90-H688BK (9 Kg)

• Anti-Scaling Technology for long-lasting performance
• Oceanus Wave Drum for gentle & effective wash
• Softfall toughened glass lid with memory backup
• Rear control panel & dual magic filter

Built for Indian homes. Stylish, durable, and efficient

You can explore more at Haier India.

Because fresh laundry shouldn’t be a luxury in July. It should be automatic.