Knowing how to get rid of musty smell in clothes starts with a simple truth: the odor is usually trapped moisture, not dirt alone. Clothes can look clean and hold a stale smell in the fibers.
You can get rid of musty smell in clothes by fixing both the wash cycle and the drying step. If one part stays damp or coated with residue, the smell lingers.
Many people try to get rid of musty smell in clothes with dryer sheets alone, but that usually hides the problem briefly. A better fix removes buildup, improves airflow, and dries every layer fully.
Once you know what caused it, the cleanup gets easier.
Table of Contents
What Causes Musty Smell in Clothes?
If you keep trying to get rid of musty smell in clothes without checking the full laundry process, the smell often lingers or shows up again.
Common causes include:
- Clothes sitting wet in the washer
- Too much detergent or softener
- A dirty washer drum or gasket
- Thick fabrics drying too slowly
- Storing laundry before fully dry
The EPA explains that mold can grow on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours, which is why wet laundry can start smelling stale so quickly.
Visible spots along with odor may mean mold on clothes needs a separate cleanup step.
Methods to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Clothes (Deeper Freshness, Less Rewash)
The best way to get rid of musty smell in clothes is to remove residue and then dry the fabric all the way through.
1. Rewash With White Vinegar (Odor Reset, Low Residue)
White vinegar helps cut stale film during the rinse stage. Use it on its own, not mixed with baking soda.
How to use it:
- Rewash the load with less detergent than usual
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle
- Dry the load fully before checking
Best for:
- Everyday washable clothes
- Light to medium odor
2. Add Baking Soda to the Wash (Better Lift, Light Loads)
Baking soda can loosen leftover odor and soap film. It helps when clothes still smell stale after one wash.
How to use it:
- Do not overload the drum
- Add 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda into the washer
- Wash by the care label, then dry well
Best for:
- Casual cottons and mixed loads
- Mild closet or sweat smell
3. Clean the Washer First (Cleaner Source, Better Results)
If every load smells off, the washer may be adding the odor back in. This is a key way to get rid of musty smell in clothes more reliably.
How to use it:
- Wipe the gasket, door, and detergent drawer
- Run a hot maintenance cycle with washer cleaner or white vinegar if allowed
- Rewash the clothes only after the washer smells clean
Best for:
- Front-load washers
- Repeated odor across many loads
A sour-smelling drum or gasket can keep sending that odor into every load, so deeper washer cleaning helps.
4. Use an Extra Rinse and Higher Spin (Less Residue, Faster Drying)
An extra rinse removes leftover soap. A stronger spin removes more water before drying starts.
How to use it:
- Select an extra rinse if your machine has it
- Choose the highest safe spin speed for the fabric
- Remove the clothes as soon as the cycle ends
Best for:
- Towels and hoodies
- Loads washed with too much product
Thicker items hold moisture longer, so damp towels often need a slightly different wash and drying routine than everyday clothes.
5. Dry With Better Airflow (Lower Moisture, Better Finish)
Drying often decides whether the smell fully goes away. To get rid of musty smell in clothes, thick seams and waistbands need airflow.
How to use it:
- Shake out each item before drying
- Use low to medium heat, or line-dry in moving air if allowed
- Check seams, cuffs, and pockets before folding
Best for:
- Heavy fabrics
- Humid laundry rooms
What NOT to Do (No Shortcuts, Less Wear)
A few shortcuts can make the smell harder to remove.
- Do not leave washed clothes sitting in the machine for hours. Damp fabric can smell stale again quickly.
- Do not overload the washer or dryer. Crowded loads trap water and slow both rinsing and drying.
- Do not pour vinegar and baking soda together in one compartment. They react right away and clean less effectively.
- Do not use high heat on fabrics that should dry gently. The outside can feel dry while thicker areas stay damp.
- Do not store laundry the second it feels warm. Warm fabric can still hide moisture.
Advanced Tips to Make Cleaning Easier
Small changes can save you from a second wash later. They also make each load easier to dry well.
- Sort by fabric weight before rewashing. To get rid of musty smell in clothes more consistently, keep thin shirts separate from dense towels or hoodies.
- Smell the washer before starting. If the drum or drawer smells sour, clean the machine first.
- For lightly soiled loads, you may not need a full cap of detergent. Extra detergent often leaves more behind than people expect.
- Open the washer door and drawer after each load. That habit helps the machine dry faster inside.
- For delicates, test a hidden area and follow the care label before treating odor.
How to Keep Clothes From Smelling Musty Again
Fresh laundry depends on airflow, not fragrance.
- Move clothes to the dryer or rack right away – less time wet means less chance for odor to build.
- Keep the washer door and dispenser open after loads – trapped moisture can transfer smells back.
- Use only the detergent your load needs – less residue means cleaner rinsing.
- Dry thick fabrics all the way through – hidden damp spots can let the smell come back.
- Clean the washer on a regular schedule – a fresh machine helps every load stay fresh.
Once the smell is gone, a few laundry habits can help clothes stay fresher between deep washes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do my clothes smell musty even after washing?
The washer may still hold residue in the gasket, drawer, or drum. Slow drying and too much detergent can also keep the smell trapped.
Is vinegar safe for most laundry loads?
White vinegar can work for many washable items in the rinse stage. Check the care label first and be more careful with delicate finishes.
Should I use hot water to remove the smell?
Not always. Warm water is often enough, and the best setting depends on the fabric label.
Why do clothes smell okay in the dryer but musty later?
The outside may dry first while deeper seams stay slightly damp. The stale smell shows up again as the load cools.
Can a dirty washer really make clean clothes smell bad?
Yes, it can. Old residue and trapped moisture inside the machine can transfer a stale smell back into fresh laundry.
What if the smell is only in towels or workout clothes?
Dense fabrics hold moisture longer than light items. They often need an extra rinse, stronger spin, and more drying time.
Final Tips
Most people get rid of musty smell in clothes faster once they stop treating it like a fragrance problem. The smell usually means moisture or residue is still hanging around.
Start with the washer, use less product, and dry the load fully before storing it. If one step helps but does not solve it, combine a machine clean, a careful rewash, and better airflow.
If clean clothes start smelling stale again in storage, closet odor may be part of the problem.
Conclusion
Once you get rid of musty smell in clothes, the real win is keeping moisture and residue from building up again. A cleaner washer, better rinsing, and full drying usually make the difference.