Washing Musty Smelling Clothes

Updated on November 12, 2008
J.L. asks from Manchester, NH
18 answers

Hi, does anyone know how to get the musty smell out of clothes? I have some things/clothes in the basement, that have begun to smell musty. I would like to use them. What is the best way to get rid of the smell?

Thanks!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.K.

answers from Boston on

Try washing them in baking soda along with detergent if that doesn't work try some oxy clean or clorox 2 for colors with detergent. I like the clorox 2 liquid to be honest with my detergent but baking soda also works great for smells.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Boston on

Hi Julie,
When I bring up winter clothes from the basement they too smell a bit musty. I wash them with my standard detergeant (Arm & Hammer) but add one cup of white vinegar to the water and 1/2 cup of baking soda. That usually does the trick and everything smells sweet once again. Good luck!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Bangor on

A great product that I use for many cleaning issues is Sol-u-Mel. It primarily uses tea tree oil & citrus for ingredients making it a safe, non-toxic cleaner. It is naturally a 3-in-one, an odor eliminator, a solvent & a stain remover.

I have removed gum, nail polish, tar, permanent marker & so many other stains. It's also great to add into the laundry to remove the smells that you are talking about. I especially love to add it to a load of towels.

You can shop for this product & many more through a company called Melaleuca that offers all safe products. They are an oline manufacturer which helps them keep cost of products affordable.

If you'd like more info about how to shop there, please contact me & I can help. I'd be happy to share how I shop with you & save a great deal of time & money.

Hope this helps! I know I was grateful a friend shared it with me!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Hartford on

I wash all of my clothes with OxyClean unscented powder; add 1 cup white vinegar to the wash; add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. Works like a charm!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Boston on

Add baking soda and wash with your regular detergent. Hang outside in the sunshine to dry. Works every time.

Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.F.

answers from Boston on

just plain baking soda may work.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Boston on

Hi Julie,
Ditto on the baking soda.
My cellar can be musty so I store EVERYTHING in plastic totes. The ones with clothes I line the bottom and cover the top with plain white tissue paper, and place a scented fabric softener sheet on top of the tissue paper. This is my 7th house (so far) and I haven't lost any clothes to smell of mildew yet.

E.T.

answers from Boston on

Hi Julie, Nature Bright is a non-toxic laundry booster that gets out even stubborn stains, so I would think it would also get out the musty odors you are dealing with, especially when put together with Shaklee's non-toxic detergent. Recently, I forgot a wash in the washing machine for two days (I don't know where my head was), and my husband noticed it and put it in the dryer. Of course, the clothes smelled musty from having set in the washer wet for so long - smelled like old milk. Anyway, I put them in the washer again with Nature Bright and Shaklee detergent, and they came out smelling great. Also, any clothing that I have soaked in Nature Bright for grease stains (that also smelled of gasoline)have come out of the wash smelling like new again. Yes, I happen to be a Shaklee distributor; however, I am simply trying to help you with your issue of musty clothes. If you wish to try the Nature Bright and/or detergent, please either call me, e-mail me or go directly to my website www.emilytaft.com I am in Georgetown; are you close by? I could drop off a sample of each for you to try first if you like. I am not trying to push Shaklee on you but am simply trying to help you as you have requested. If you are not interested in trying Shaklee, that's fine -- it is just a suggestion of something that will probably work. Best Wishes. E. Taft ###-###-#### ____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Portland on

try a half to 1 full cup of baking soda in the laundry along with your detergent. It works great! good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.P.

answers from Hartford on

White Vinegar ('bout a cup for a large load) in the rinse. :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.O.

answers from Providence on

add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your regular load.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.J.

answers from Boston on

Hi Julie,
I would recommend baking soda.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Boston on

add white vinagar to the laundry. vinagar takes smells out of fabrics but will not make your clothes smell like vinager either.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.D.

answers from New London on

My DD is potty trained but when playing refuses to leave to use the toilet so we have tons of pee smelling everything. I have been using OXY Clean powder. I don't even add the whole amount and it takes care of the pee smell. My sister in law swares by it.
I know it's not musty smelling but it's worth the try.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Boston on

try baking soda in the wash, and lying them out to dry in the sun... good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.S.

answers from Hartford on

try putting a cup full of white vinigar in the wash...it elimenates odors and brightens clothes

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.D.

answers from Boston on

Put some white vinegar, about a cup, in each wash load, it really freshens things and naturally too!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Portland on

I have about one minute to answer lol
Baking soda, put baking soda in the wash , use detergent too...let them soak in full washer fifteen minutes or so....Do you have an outside clothesline? That will help if you dry them outside.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches