Musty Smell in Clothes: What Causes It, How to Get Rid of It, and More

If you’ve ever forgotten to bring a change of clothes with you to the gym or you’ve accidentally left a load of damp clothes in the washing machine overnight (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) then you know that musty smell. This stale, damp odor is often mildew, which is caused by a combination of bacteria, sweat, and moisture. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can get rid of that smell, and the odds are high that once you fix the underlying problem, this shouldn’t come up in the future.

Question 1 of 7:

What is that musty smell on clothes?

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1
It’s usually a combination of bacteria, sweat, and oil. Anyone who hits the gym regularly might recognize this odor on their workout gear, even after they’ve washed it. Your clothes pick up any sweat and natural body oils, so when you work out, your clothes absorb a ton of microbes and odors. If given enough time, all of that stuff in your clothing’s fiber will create a musty odor.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- This kind of musty odor will typically come out after a wash, but if you don’t wash your clothes fast enough or your washing machine isn’t clean, it can settle into the fabric and become much harder to get out.
2
If your fresh laundry smells musty after it dries, that’s mildew. If there’s bacteria, sweat, and oil caked into your clothes, and they get wet without drying out all the way, that damp mixture can turn into mildew. Basically, a microscopic fungus starts growing in your clothes. Unfortunately, mildew tends to stick to your washing machine, so you may need to clean your washing machine to keep it from spreading to other clothes.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Missouri ExtensionUniversity of Missouri program dedicated to research-based, practical public educationGo to source}
- This can happen if you accidentally forget to move your clothes from the washer to the dryer, your washing machine or dryer aren’t clean, or your clothes sit in the hamper for too long.

Question 2 of 7:

Why won’t that smell go away?

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1
Your washing machine could be harboring the odor-causing bacteria. Open your washing machine when it’s dry and empty, and take a sniff. Does it have a damp, moldy odor? If so, your machine is to blame.^{[3]XResearch source} If your machine has a self-clean function, try that first. If not (or if the self-clean doesn’t do the trick), run an empty cycle with warm water and pour in 2 cups (470 mL) of distilled white vinegar. If that doesn’t work, scrub the drum by hand with vinegar and water using a sponge.^{[4]XResearch source}
- You may need to do this multiple times to fully get rid of the bacteria and fungus causing that smell.
- Your dryer could be harboring the bacteria as well, although it’s typically the washing machine to blame on this one.
2
Your hamper could be keeping that mustiness around. If you toss your sweaty, dirty clothes in a hamper and the fabrics sit there for too long, all of the moisture could contribute to the growth of mildew. To prevent this, turn your clothes inside out and let them sit out in the open air for a few hours before you put them in the hamper. Even better, skip the hamper altogether and hang or lay out your dirty clothes until you’ve got a full load of laundry on your hand.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you are short on space and you do need to use a hamper, no problem. So long as you air the clothes out for a bit before putting them in the hamper, you should curb that odor dramatically.
3
That musty odor tends to stick around on synthetic fabrics. Cotton clothing tends to be very breathable, but synthetic fibers, like nylon, have a much harder time airing out. If this must is only developing on your workout gear, get a specialty detergent designed specifically for athletic wear and wash your synthetic workout clothes separately.^{[6]XResearch source}
- You can pick up a specialty detergent designed for synthetic athletic wear at most big box general stores.
- Traditional detergent is designed for cotton clothing, and it’s not going to get any caked-in scents out of your synthetic gear, but specialty detergent will!

Question 3 of 7:

How do I get rid of that musty smell?

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1
Re-wash your clothes with vinegar. Load your clothes in the washing machine, add a standard amount of mild detergent, and turn the dial to the hot water setting. Add 1–2 tsp (4.9–9.9 ml) of white vinegar to the detergent drawer to deodorize your clothes and run the cycle.^{[7]XExpert SourceSusan Stocker
House Cleaning ProfessionalExpert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- The hotter the water, the faster that bacteria and sweat will dissolve out of the clothing fiber.
EXPERT TIP
Melissa Maker
Founder, Clean My Space
Melissa Maker is host and editor of CleanMySpace, a YouTube channel and blog with over 1 million subscribers. She has over 10 years of professional cleaning experience, and dispenses helpful tips on all things home.
Melissa Maker
Founder, Clean My Space
Musty smells in clothing come from mold and mildew. Wash items with detergent containing enzymes to break down odors. For extra odor-fighting power, add vinegar or lemon juice. Dry completely, as leftover moisture lets smells persist. If odors linger, hang clothes in sun or freeze overnight to kill mold. With effort to scrub away remaining spores, you can banish that stubborn musty smell.
2
Dry your clothes immediately once you’re done re-washing. After the wash cycle is over, line dry your clothes outside to completely prevent that smell from developing. If this isn’t practical, get your clothes in the dryer immediately after the wash cycle is over and dry the clothes on a higher heat setting than you’d normally use.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Missouri ExtensionUniversity of Missouri program dedicated to research-based, practical public educationGo to source}
- If the smell still isn’t out, wash the clothes with only white vinegar, then run another cycle with just 1 cup (230 g) of baking soda before drying.^{[9]XResearch source}
3
Stop using fabric softener, deodorizers, or heavily perfumed detergents. Fabric softener, non-vinegar-based deodorizers, and strong-scented detergents will mask the musty smell, but they won’t remove it. In fact, the residue from these products can actually make the moldy aroma worse. Always wash your clothes by using the recommended amount of a mild detergent, or try washing your clothes with white vinegar.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Fragrance-free detergent is likely going to get your clothes cleaner than any scented detergent, even if your clothes don’t smell as fresh!
- A lightly-scented lemony detergent is probably going to be fine, but that super potent ginger-mango-lavender stuff is probably going to make it harder to get that odor out.

Question 4 of 7:

Why do my clothes smell after they’re dry and clean?

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You probably aren’t taking them out of the machine fast enough. The longer your damp clothes sit in the washing machine, the more time mildew has to develop in your clothing. When you start a wash cycle, set a timer on your phone that matches the length of the wash cycle so you don’t forget. That way, you can transfer your clothes to the dryer immediately.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Leaving your damp clothes in the washing machine for too long will also cause your washing machine to develop the smell that makes your next load musty.

Question 5 of 7:

Why do my clothes smell after drying?

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1
Your dryer may be dirty, so clean it to remove any residual odors. Your dryer can pick up any lingering scents from the washing machine, so cleaning the drum may solve this! Unplug the dryer to avoid shocking yourself. Dip a cloth in some soapy water and thoroughly wipe down the drum of your machine. Let it air dry with the door open for a few hours before plugging your dryer back in.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practicesGo to source}
- This may keep your next load of laundry from coming out musty.
2
Line-drying your clothes should keep mildew from developing. The dryer locks a lot of humidity and moisture into your clothes early on in the dry cycle, but air drying your clothes outside will prevent any mustiness from developing.^{[13]XResearch source} The ultraviolet rays from the sun will even help disinfect any of that mildew bacteria. If possible, always line dry your clothes outside for best results!^{[14]XResearch source}
- If it’s too cold out for this or you don’t have the room, then don’t worry about it. So long as you dry your clothes quickly once the wash cycle ends and your washing machine and dryer are clean, you shouldn’t have a problem with this musty smell.

Question 6 of 7:

What can I do if I just can’t get the must out?

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Get your clothes dry cleaned if you want to permanently solve the problem. If mildew is caked into an item of clothing and it just seems like it won’t go away regardless of what you do, take your clothes to the dry cleaner. The chemicals and methods used for dry cleaning will give your clothes a fresh start and keep that mustiness from sticking around.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Missouri ExtensionUniversity of Missouri program dedicated to research-based, practical public educationGo to source}
- Dry cleaning an item once should give your clothes a clean slate moving forward. If you’ve cleaned your washing machine and dryer, and you no longer let your wet laundry sit in the washing machine, the unpleasant aroma shouldn’t come back.

Question 7 of 7:

Is it OK to wear clothes that smell like mildew?

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It may not be the end of the world, but it’s certainly not good for you. Mildew is a type of mold, and the negative health impacts of mold are well-documented.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practicesGo to source} While wearing a slightly musty shirt once or twice probably isn’t going to cause any serious health issues, prolonged exposure can lead to congestion, sneezing, coughing, or respiratory infections.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Mildew is especially problematic if you have a weakened immune system, allergies, asthma, or any kind of chronic lung condition.^{[18]XResearch source}

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Question
How can I get a mildew stain out of clothing?
Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Dario Ragnolo is the Owner and Founder of Tidy Town Cleaning, a home cleaning service in Los Angeles, California. His business specializes in residential & commercial cleaning. He is a second generation home cleaning expert, who grew up around his parents cleaning business in Italy.
Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Answer
Use a solution of Tile laundry detergent and hot water. Let it soak for a minute or two and then use a toothbrush to brush the stain away.
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Is mold in my basement dangerous?
Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Dario Ragnolo is the Owner and Founder of Tidy Town Cleaning, a home cleaning service in Los Angeles, California. His business specializes in residential & commercial cleaning. He is a second generation home cleaning expert, who grew up around his parents cleaning business in Italy.
Dario Ragnolo
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Answer
Yes. It all depends on what your sensitivity is to it, but in terms of your health, it's not good for you. Inhaling it is especially problematic, so this isn't an issue you should ignore for too long.
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What does black mold smell like?
Susan Stocker
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Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of green cleaning practices.
Susan Stocker
Green Cleaning Expert
Expert Answer
In my experience, it smells kind of like soil and rotting leaves. It's definitely a unique odor. If you think you have black mold in your laundry room, you must contact a professional. That's not a DIY job.
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