How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes

If you're trying to figure out how to get mildew smell out of clothes, the most important thing is to address both the odor and the moisture that caused it. Rewashing the clothing with detergent, using the hottest water temperature permitted by the care label, and drying everything completely can often remove a mild mildew or musty smell.

For stubborn odors, additional treatment may be necessary. But avoid simply adding more detergent—too much detergent can leave residue behind and make odor problems harder to solve.

Clothes commonly develop a mildew smell after being left wet in the washing machine, sitting damp in a hamper, being stored before they're completely dry, or repeatedly retaining detergent and soil buildup.

Here's how to safely get your clothes smelling fresh again—and how to prevent the problem from coming back.

Why Do My Clothes Smell Like Mildew?

That recognizable damp, musty odor is usually a sign that clothing has remained wet or damp for too long.

Common causes include:

• Forgetting clothes in the washing machine overnight
• Putting damp towels into a hamper
• Leaving sweaty workout clothing balled up
• Storing clothing before it's completely dry
• Overloading the washing machine
• Using too much detergent
• Poor rinsing
• A washing machine that needs cleaning
• Leaving wet laundry in a laundry bag
• Storing clothing in a damp basement, closet, or other humid area

The problem isn't always that the clothing wasn't washed.

Sometimes freshly washed clothing develops a musty smell because it stayed wet too long after the wash cycle ended.

That's why simply spraying fragrance on the clothing isn't a good solution. You want to correct the underlying laundry problem.

How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes Step by Step

For ordinary machine-washable clothing, start with the least aggressive approach.

1. Check the Care Label

Before treating or rewashing anything, check the garment's care instructions.

Pay attention to:

• Maximum water temperature
• Recommended wash cycle
• Bleach restrictions
• Drying instructions
• Whether the garment is machine washable at all

Don't use hot water simply because the clothing smells.

Hotter isn't automatically better, and excessive heat can shrink or damage certain fabrics.

If you're unsure what the symbols mean, see our guide to how to read laundry symbols and care labels.

2. Rewash the Clothes Promptly

If clothing was accidentally left in the washer and now smells musty, don't put it directly into the dryer.

Rewash it first.

Use your normal detergent at the appropriate dose and select the warmest water temperature that is safe for the fabric.

For a relatively mild odor caused by leaving a load wet for several hours, one proper rewash may be enough.

3. Don't Add Extra Detergent Just Because the Clothes Smell

This is a common mistake.

If one dose of detergent didn't solve the problem, doubling or tripling the detergent doesn't necessarily make the clothing cleaner.

Too much detergent can be difficult for a washing machine to rinse completely from the fabric.

Residue can then hold onto:

• Body oils
• Soil
• Odor
• Moisture

Use the amount recommended for your detergent concentration, washer, load size, and soil level.

If you're unsure, read our guide to how much laundry detergent to use.

4. Give the Clothing Enough Room to Wash

Don't tightly pack the washer.

Laundry needs room for:

• Water circulation
• Detergent distribution
• Mechanical action
• Rinsing
• Water extraction

If you've crammed a large amount of laundry into a small machine, the problem may be inadequate washing and rinsing rather than the detergent itself.

Divide an oversized load or use a larger-capacity machine.

5. Dry Everything Completely

Don't stop after getting the clothing clean.

It needs to become completely dry.

Moisture remaining in thick seams, waistbands, towels, sweatshirts, or other dense fabrics can allow the odor problem to return.

If the care label permits machine drying, use an appropriate temperature and make sure everything is dry before folding or storing it.

If an item should air dry, give it plenty of airflow and don't fold or put it away while it is still damp.

Can Vinegar Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes?

White vinegar is commonly used as a laundry odor treatment because its acidity can help with certain residues and odors.

For machine-washable items where the fabric and equipment instructions permit it, white distilled vinegar can sometimes help with persistent musty odors.

However, don't treat vinegar as something that should automatically be added to every load.

More importantly:

Never mix vinegar with chlorine bleach.

Acids such as vinegar and chlorine bleach should not be combined because the reaction can release dangerous chlorine gas.

If you're using a laundry additive, follow the product and washing-machine manufacturer's instructions rather than creating combinations of household chemicals.

What About Baking Soda?

Baking soda is another common household product used for odor control.

It may help with certain laundry odors, but again, more products don't necessarily mean better cleaning.

Don't turn a washing machine into a chemistry experiment by combining multiple cleaners without understanding how they interact.

If you're dealing with ordinary musty clothing, start with:

Proper detergent + appropriate water temperature + enough washer capacity + thorough rinsing + complete drying.

Then consider an additional treatment only if the basic process doesn't work.

Should You Use Vinegar and Baking Soda Together?

Not as a strategy for making either one "stronger."

Vinegar is acidic and baking soda is alkaline. Combining them causes a reaction that largely neutralizes the properties people are trying to use.

The bubbling may look powerful, but visible fizz doesn't automatically translate into better laundry cleaning.

It's generally more useful to choose the appropriate treatment for the specific problem rather than mixing products together.

And again, never combine vinegar with chlorine bleach.

Will Rewashing Clothes Remove Mildew Smell?

Often, yes—especially if the problem is mild and happened recently.

For example, if you washed clothing in the evening and discovered it sitting wet in the washer the following morning, rewashing it promptly may be all that's necessary.

Persistent odor may require additional attention if the clothing:

• Sat wet for an extended period
• Has repeatedly developed the same smell
• Is made from fabric that retains body oils
• Contains heavy detergent buildup
• Was stored in a damp environment
• Has an actual visible mold problem

The sooner you address damp laundry, the easier the problem generally is to correct.

What Should You Do If You Left Clothes in the Washer Overnight?

First, smell the laundry.

If it still smells fresh and hasn't been sitting for very long, you may not notice a problem.

If it smells sour, musty, or stale, rewash it before drying.

Don't try to use the dryer to cover up the odor.

Drying doesn't replace washing, and heat isn't an odor-removal treatment.

After rewashing, move the load to the dryer promptly.

Why Do Clothes Still Smell Musty After Washing?

If freshly washed clothing repeatedly comes out smelling musty, the clothes may not be the only problem.

Look at the entire laundry process.

You're Overloading the Washer

Clothes packed tightly into a washer may not receive adequate circulation or rinsing.

You're Using Too Much Detergent

Excess detergent can remain behind in fabrics and contribute to buildup.

Clothes Are Sitting Wet Too Long

A perfectly washed load can develop an odor if it's forgotten for hours afterward.

The Clothes Aren't Drying Completely

Heavy fabrics may feel dry on the outside while still retaining moisture.

Your Washing Machine May Need Cleaning

Washers themselves can accumulate:

• Detergent residue
• Fabric softener
• Soil
• Moisture
• Debris

Areas such as seals, dispensers, filters, and other components may require cleaning according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If multiple unrelated loads consistently smell musty immediately after washing, investigate the machine rather than repeatedly treating every garment.

Why Do My Towels Smell Like Mildew After Washing?

Towels are particularly prone to musty odors because they're designed to absorb moisture.

The problem often starts before they ever reach the washing machine.

A wet bath towel gets tossed into a hamper.

Another towel goes on top.

Then clothing gets added.

The towels remain damp with very little airflow until laundry day.

That creates exactly the kind of environment you want to avoid.

Instead, allow wet towels to dry before putting them into a hamper whenever practical.

When washing towels:

• Don't overload the machine
• Use an appropriate detergent dose
• Rinse thoroughly
• Dry them completely
• Don't fold or store them while damp

A clean towel shouldn't smell fresh only when it comes out of the dryer and then smell musty again as soon as it gets wet.

If that happens repeatedly, detergent or softener buildup, incomplete cleaning, or insufficient drying may be contributing.

Why Do Workout Clothes Smell Musty?

Athletic clothing presents a different challenge.

Many performance garments are made from synthetic materials that can hold onto body oils and odor differently than traditional cotton clothing.

Then there's what happens after the workout.

Sweaty clothing may be:

• Left in a gym bag
• Rolled into a ball
• Buried in a hamper
• Left in a car
• Mixed with damp towels

By laundry day, the odor has had plenty of time to develop.

If you can't wash workout clothing immediately, avoid leaving it balled up and wet.

Allowing damp clothing to get some airflow before washing can make a significant difference.

Why Do Clothes Smell Fine Until You Wear Them?

This can happen with garments that retain odor-causing residue or body oils.

The clothing may smell fine immediately after washing and drying.

Then body heat and moisture are introduced while you wear it, and the odor becomes noticeable again.

This is particularly common with some synthetic athletic fabrics.

If the same garments repeatedly develop odor quickly, consider:

• Whether you're using too much detergent
• Whether the washer is overloaded
• Whether the clothing is rinsing thoroughly
• Whether the fabric needs a more appropriate wash process
• Whether fabric softener or other products are contributing to buildup

Covering the problem with more fragrance isn't the same as removing the source of the odor.

Can You Put Mildew-Smelling Clothes in the Dryer?

If clothes smell musty after washing, rewash them before drying.

The dryer should be used to thoroughly dry clean laundry, not as a substitute for addressing an existing odor.

Once the clothing has been properly rewased, complete drying becomes an important part of preventing the smell from returning.

Always follow the garment's drying instructions.

What If Clothes Have Visible Mold on Them?

A musty smell and visible mold growth aren't necessarily the same laundry problem.

If you can actually see mold or extensive spotting on clothing, especially after prolonged exposure to damp storage conditions, additional considerations may apply.

Fabric type, extent of growth, colorfastness, and the item's care instructions all matter.

Don't aggressively apply random chemical combinations in an attempt to save the garment.

For valuable, delicate, or unusual items, professional evaluation may be the safer choice.

And some extensively affected items may not be practical to restore.

Can Mildew Smell Become Permanent?

Not every odor is guaranteed to come out.

Most mild musty odors from temporarily forgotten laundry can often be corrected.

But the longer textiles remain damp, and the more frequently the problem repeats, the harder restoration can become.

Results can also depend on:

• Fabric type
• Dye
• Age of the item
• Previous treatments
• Detergent buildup
• Storage conditions
• Whether actual mold growth is present

That's why addressing the problem early is preferable to repeatedly washing and drying the same garment without changing the underlying process.

How to Prevent Mildew Smell in Clothes

Preventing the smell is easier than repeatedly trying to remove it.

A few habits make a significant difference:

Move Laundry Promptly

Transfer wet clothing from the washer to the dryer or drying area soon after the cycle ends.

Don't Put Wet Towels in a Closed Hamper

Let damp towels dry whenever possible before adding them to the hamper.

Give Workout Clothes Airflow

Don't leave sweaty clothing trapped in a gym bag for several days.

Don't Overload Your Washer

Give clothing enough space to wash and rinse properly.

Measure Your Detergent

More isn't always better.

Dry Clothing Completely

Pay extra attention to thick fabrics, towels, waistbands, seams, and bedding.

Don't Store Damp Laundry

Make sure clothing and linens are fully dry before putting them into drawers, closets, bins, or seasonal storage.

Maintain Your Washing Machine

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning your washer, dispensers, filters, and seals.

What If Your Laundry Always Comes Out Smelling Musty?

If you're constantly dealing with laundry that doesn't smell or feel properly clean, it may be worth looking beyond individual stain-removal tricks.

The issue could be:

• Your washing machine
• Load size
• Detergent dosage
• Water temperature
• Drying
• Laundry habits
• How damp items are stored before washing

Sometimes fixing one part of the routine solves the problem.

And sometimes the bigger issue is simply having too much laundry to keep up with consistently.

That's where professional laundry service can help.

Can a Laundry Service Help With Musty-Smelling Clothes?

Professional laundry service can remove much of the guesswork from everyday laundry.

At Get Fresh Start Laundry, orders go through an intake and inspection process before being professionally sorted, washed, dried, folded, quality checked, packaged, and returned.

Our standard laundering process also incorporates ozone sanitation.

If you have a specific odor, stain, or concern, point it out when scheduling so our team knows the history of the item.

It's important to set the right expectation, though: professional laundering does not guarantee that every existing mildew, mold, or set-in odor can be removed.

The condition of the textile and how long the problem has existed matter.

For ordinary household laundry, our residential laundry pickup and delivery service can take the entire weekly process off your schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mildew Smell in Clothes

How to get mildew smell out of clothes?

To get mildew smell out of clothes, rewash machine-washable items promptly with the appropriate amount of detergent, use the warmest water permitted by the care label, give the clothes enough room to wash and rinse, and dry them completely.

Why do my clothes smell like mildew after washing?

Common causes include leaving clothes wet too long, overloading the washer, using too much detergent, incomplete rinsing, insufficient drying, or buildup inside the washing machine.

Will rewashing clothes get rid of mildew smell?

A proper rewash can often remove a mild musty smell, particularly when clothing was simply left wet in the washer for several hours. More persistent odors may require additional treatment.

Can vinegar remove mildew smell from clothing?

White distilled vinegar is sometimes used to address laundry odors and residue when appropriate for the fabric and equipment. Follow applicable instructions and never mix vinegar or other acids with chlorine bleach.

Can baking soda remove mildew smell?

Baking soda may help with some odors, but it isn't necessary for every load. Start by correcting detergent dosage, load size, washing, rinsing, and drying before continually adding more products.

Why do my towels smell musty even after washing?

Towels can retain odor because they're highly absorbent. Damp storage, detergent buildup, overloading, poor rinsing, and incomplete drying can all contribute.

Should I dry clothes that smell like mildew?

If laundry still smells musty after washing, rewash it before putting it into the dryer. Drying should follow proper cleaning rather than being used to mask an existing odor.

How do you prevent mildew smell in laundry?

Move wet laundry promptly, allow damp towels and workout clothing to get airflow, avoid overloading the washer, use the correct amount of detergent, and make sure everything is completely dry before storage.

Get Your Laundry Fresh Again

Learning how to get mildew smell out of clothes starts with figuring out why the odor developed.

For laundry that was simply forgotten in the washer, a proper rewash and complete drying may solve the problem.

If the odor keeps returning, look deeper.

Check your detergent dosage, washer load size, drying habits, washing machine, and the way wet towels and clothing are handled before laundry day.

And don't try to solve every odor by adding more detergent or mixing multiple household cleaning products.

Often, better washing, better rinsing, and complete drying are more important.

If keeping up with laundry itself has become the problem, Get Fresh Start Laundry offers residential pickup and delivery laundry service throughout our service area. We pick up your household laundry, professionally process it, fold it, quality check it, and bring it back ready to put away.

Spend less time trying to rescue forgotten loads—and less time doing laundry altogether.