Get Rid Of

How to Get the Mildew Smell Out of Clothes and Towels

Updated · 4 min read

A stack of folded bath towels in different colors
Photo: User:Mattes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Short answer

A mildew smell means mildew started growing because the fabric stayed damp too long. Rewash before drying, since a dryer's heat sets the smell. Soak in oxygen bleach, wash in the hottest water the care label allows with a little less detergent and no fabric softener, then dry fully straight away. Clean the washing machine too, or the smell will keep coming back.

Quick steps

  1. Don't put mildew-smelling laundry in the dryer. Rewash it first.
  2. Soak it for an hour or more in warm water with oxygen bleach.
  3. Rewash in the hottest water the care label allows.
  4. Add oxygen bleach and use a little less detergent than usual.
  5. Skip fabric softener; it builds up and traps smells in towels.
  6. Move laundry to the dryer or line right away. Don't leave it in the washer.
  7. Clean the washer's seal, drawer, and drum.

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Why it happens

Mildew grows on fabric that stays damp. Towels left wet on a hook, a load forgotten in the washer overnight, or clothes put away before they were fully dry are the usual causes. The EPA’s advice for anything wet is the same: dry it within 24 to 48 hours.

1. Don’t dry it yet

If a load comes out of the washer smelling of mildew, don’t put it in the dryer. Heat can set the smell into the fabric. Consumer Reports’ first fix is simply to rewash before drying.

2. Rewash the right way

  • Soak first for an hour or more in warm water with oxygen bleach, as the pack directs.
  • Use the hottest water the care label allows.
  • Add oxygen bleach to the wash too. It lifts the mildew smell and is gentle on most colors. On white cotton, chlorine bleach also works if the label allows it.
  • Use a little less detergent. Too much leaves residue that holds onto smell.
  • Skip fabric softener on towels. It coats the fibers, makes them less absorbent, and traps smells.
  • Don’t overload the drum. Clothes need room to rinse clean.

3. Dry them fast

Move the load out as soon as the cycle ends. Tumble dry fully, or hang items with space between them in a spot with moving air. Damp-dry is not dry: a towel folded slightly wet will smell again by morning.

4. Clean the washer

If everything comes out smelling musty, the washer is the source. On front-loaders, wipe inside the rubber door seal, clean the detergent drawer, and run the cleaning cycle in your manual. Leave the door and drawer open between washes so they dry out.

5. Fix damp storage

Clothes that smell musty in the closet point to a damp room. Check the humidity with a hygrometer; the EPA recommends keeping it below 60%. A moisture absorber works for a closet or cupboard. A whole room or basement needs a dehumidifier.

If you see black or green spots on the fabric, that’s mold, not just a smell. Wash it with oxygen bleach, and throw away items that don’t come clean.

If your whole house smells musty, not just the laundry, see how to get rid of a musty smell in your house. For sweat, smoke, and body odor rather than mildew, see how to get odor out of clothes.

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Common questions

Can you get mildew smell out of clothes?

Usually, yes. Rewash before drying, soak in oxygen bleach, and wash hot. If the fabric has black or green spots that don't wash out, that's mold growing in the fibers, and the item may not be saveable.

Does vinegar get mildew smell out of clothes?

A soak in a basin of water with a cup of white vinegar can help. Check your washer's manual before adding vinegar to the machine; Consumer Reports notes it can damage rubber seals and hoses in some models. Never mix it with chlorine bleach.

Why do my clothes smell like mildew after drying?

They sat damp too long before drying, the washer itself is moldy, or the dryer heat set a smell that was already there. Rewash in hot water with oxygen bleach and clean the washer.

Does sunlight get rid of mildew smell?

Drying in the sun and breeze helps a lot. It dries the fabric fast and fresh air carries the smell away. It works best after a proper rewash.

Why do my towels smell after washing?

Usually they sat wet too long, either in the washer or on a hook in a humid bathroom. Detergent and softener build-up also hold onto smells. Dry towels fully between uses.

Why do clothes in my closet smell musty?

The closet is probably damp. Check its humidity with a hygrometer. A moisture absorber helps in a small closet; for a damp room, use a dehumidifier.

Can I use chlorine bleach instead?

On white cotton, if the label allows it. Oxygen bleach is gentler on most colors. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia.

Does OxiClean get mildew smell out of towels?

Oxygen bleach like OxiClean helps. Soak the towels in it as the label says, wash them on the hottest setting the care label allows, and dry them fully right away.

How do I get my towels to smell like hotel towels?

Use less detergent and skip fabric softener, which builds up and holds smell. Wash in hot water and dry them completely and quickly. Hotels never leave towels sitting damp.

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