Have you ever purchased something from a thrift store only to find that that musty smell just won’t go away? Or that your dress shirt starts smelling after a few hours, even though you had just washed it? Sometimes even giving it a good airing out isn’t enough to remove odors from clothes that have embedded themselves deep in the fibers. We’ll go over some common causes of tough odors and how to remove them below, so you can keep your clothes fresh and feel your best while wearing them!
It’s not just workout clothes that can get smelly. Sometimes, body odor can enter deep down into the fibers of our favorite shirts. Buildup from deodorant can trap them in too. Our washing machines, if there’s lots of detergent buildup or mildew, can also make our clothes smell musty instead of fresh. So, how do you remove bad odor from clothes?
For stubborn odors, it’s important to make sure that you’re using a detergent powerful enough to target bad odors. Persil® Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power detergent contains odor eliminating technology that’s able to go deep down into the fibers for an exceptional clean. Check the following steps to learn how to remove bad odors from clothes:
- Check to see if there are any especially smelly spots. Often, the underarm areas will have deodorant buildup that can lead to discoloration and a musty smell. It may be helpful to turn the garment inside out to get to the smelliest areas.
- Pre-treat these areas with detergent. Soak the garment and rub some detergent into the area. If the garment has lots of deodorant buildup, you may need to rub the detergent in using a toothbrush.
- Wash according to the garment label’s laundry symbols, making sure to use only the recommended amount of detergent according to package instructions. Skip the fabric softener for these smellier clothes as some fabric softeners can end up trapping the oils and smells in the fibers.
- Remove your laundry promptly after the wash cycle has completed.
- If you notice that your clothes still smell musty, soak the garment in a baking soda solution (about 2 cups of baking soda dissolved in a tub should do the trick) for about one hour.
- Then, wash again according to care instructions using an odor-fighting detergent.
- Air dry either outside or in an area with sufficient airflow. Drying the garment in the tumble dryer may end up baking the smell in if it hasn’t yet been removed.
Here are some more tips on how to prevent your clothes from getting all musty and smelly:
- Don’t leave your wet laundry in the washing machine.
- After you’re done washing your laundry, leave the door of your washing machine open so that it can air out.
- Don’t overfill your washing machine as this prevents clothes from being rinsed out properly.
- Don’t use too much detergent as this will lead to buildup and decrease the effectiveness of your washing machine. Follow the package instructions and use the recommended amount.
- Keep your dirty laundry in an open bag or hamper that’s breathable instead of a closed bag or container without much airflow, which can end up encouraging bacteria to grow.