Do you want to eliminate a damp, musty smell from your clothes but without having to wash them again? Here is some practical advice

November 30, 2023

At some point, we've all encountered an unpleasant smell of "dampness" or mold on our clothes. It's much more common than you might think, and often it's not easy to get rid of. When you pick up an item of clothing, especially one that hasn't been worn in a while, the first thing that comes to mind is to wash it by hand or in the washing machine to freshen it up. However, it's not always possible, especially in the fall or winter when temperatures are low and it might be raining outside.

So, how can we solve this musty smell problem without using water and soap? There are plenty of methods, and they are possible thanks to items that almost all of us have at home. Let's find out what they are:

How to prevent unpleasant odors developing

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Before proceeding to remove moldy and musty odors from clothes, it's essential to understand the causes of this. When washing pants, jeans, shirts, blouses, underwear, and other items, it's advisable to pay attention to the tips detailed below.

Firstly, always choose detergents suitable for the type of fabric you are washing. Don't overload the washing machine drum so that the clothes can "move and breathe," and once the washing is done, don't let the laundry stagnate in the drum for too long. Take the laundry out as soon as possible. This way, bacteria won't have the opportunity to proliferate, and mold particles won't spread.

After washing, pay close attention to hanging up the clothes properly, especially if you don't have a large outdoor space or if you need to put them up in a room in your apartment. In these circumstances, make sure to leave a window open, or have a radiator on to counteract excessive humidity buildup.

What causes unpleasant odors from clothes?

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The secret to keeping clothes pleasantly fragrant is not to put them in drawers or closets while they are still damp, but to ensure they are perfectly dry before storing them away. Ideally, they should be dried outdoors, but when it's not possible, follow the guidelines we described above.

Another cause of bad smells could arise from storage itself. From one season to another, our clothes stay in closets and drawers for a long time, and this could cause the onset of the bad smell from inevitable humidity buildup.

But if you're thinking that the only way to get rid of a musty smell is to wash everything, you're wrong. There are several ways to do this without resorting to using the washing machine.

Remedies to eliminate the smell of damp

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There are many DIY methods to eliminate bad odors from dry, clean clothes; let's list some of them:

Air them out in the sun: The first thing to do, whenever the weather allows it, is to let your clothes get some fresh air. The sun, wind, and fresh air will help any moisture to dry out, and the unpleasant odors will leave your fabrics.
Baking soda: A reliable ally, baking soda can be very useful in this case. Take the garment that smells, put it in a bag, sprinkle it with baking soda, close the bag, and let it sit for several hours. Once this time has passed, shake out the garment, brush it with a clothes brush, and you'll see that the smell will be gone.
Dryer or freezer: Heat and cold counteract the proliferation of bacteria and mold. So, whether the clothes are placed in the dryer at a high temperature (always check the garment label before doing so) or left in the freezer for a few hours, these methods will kill off the bacteria (and the smell they create).
White vinegar or lemon juice: Excellent natural disinfectants, white vinegar and lemon juice when diluted in equal parts with water and sprayed on clothes will ensure that bad odors do not develope. If you choose this tip, remember to let the sprayed-on liquid dry out thoroughly.