{"id":44260,"date":"2026-08-21T11:29:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T05:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shop.haierindia.com\/blog\/?p=44260"},"modified":"2026-08-21T11:29:18","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T05:59:18","slug":"how-to-get-mildew-smell-out-of-clothes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shop.haierindia.com\/blog\/how-to-get-mildew-smell-out-of-clothes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A musty, mildew-like smell in freshly washed clothes is one of the most common laundry frustrations, and it tends to show up more often during monsoons. It usually happens when you open the washing machine a few hours later and find that the clothes inside carry a sour, damp odour instead of the clean smell you expected. Smelly wet clothes point to bacteria and mould that formed on the fabric while it stayed damp too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This blog covers why the smell develops, practical ways to remove it, and habits that stop it from returning. It also looks at how the right washing machine<\/a><\/strong> reduces damp smell from laundry in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Do Clothes Develop a Musty or Mildew Smell?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mildew is a form of mould. It grows wherever moisture, warmth, and organic material meet, and wet fabric offers exactly that environment. When clothes stay in a closed washing machine drum for hours after the cycle ends, bacteria multiply quickly. The result is that sour, musty smell most people associate with forgotten laundry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few conditions make this worse. Overloading the machine reduces water and air circulation during the wash. Delayed drying gives bacteria more time to settle into fibres. Storing damp clothes in a closed cupboard traps moisture with no way to escape. Even the washing machine itself can be a source, since a drum or gasket that never dries out between cycles becomes a breeding ground. This is often why the smell keeps returning despite repeated washing, and simply rewashing does not remove mould smell from fabric if the root cause stays unaddressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simple Ways to Remove Odour From Clothes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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If the smell has already set in, a few practical steps can bring the freshness back: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Hot water breaks down bacteria and mould spores far more effectively than a cold cycle. For fabrics that can handle it, such as towels, bedsheets, and everyday wear, a hot wash is often the fastest way to remove odour from clothes that already smell musty. Check the fabric care label first, since wool, silk, and delicate synthetics do not tolerate high heat well.
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  2. White vinegar is a well-known natural fix. Adding half a cup to the rinse cycle neutralises odour-causing bacteria without leaving a strong scent of its own. Baking soda works in a similar way and can be added directly to the wash for extra deodorising.
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  3. Drying matters just as much as washing. Clothes left damp for extended periods will start to smell again, even after a proper wash. Sun drying works best because ultraviolet light has a natural antibacterial effect. When sunlight is not available, a well-ventilated space or a strong spin cycle to reduce residual moisture is the next best option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Laundry Tips to Prevent Damp Smell From Laundry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A few consistent habits go a long way in keeping this problem from repeating itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n