If your clothes smell musty, chances are they have mold in them.If you let them sit for a few days in the washing machine, this can happen.You can get rid of the smell by using household products.You can get rid of the smell by drying your clothes outside in the sun.
Step 1: Pick a household product to use.
A common household product can be used to treat clothes with a mild musty smell.It's best for delicate fabrics that can't be bleached.Your clothes won't stop smelling musty until the mold has been killed.You can check around your house to see which products you have on hand.
Step 2: Start a load of washing.
Use the amount of detergent you normally use to wash the musty clothes.As the cycle begins, let the washer fill with water.Allow it to fill completely.The best way to kill mold is to use hot water.Cold water is better for washing clothing that can't be washed in hot water.To get rid of the smell, you may have to wash the clothes more than once.
Step 3: Put your product in the water.
When the washer has filled with water, pour in a cup of vinegar, borax or baking soda.It will get evenly dispersed if it is poured straight into the water.As usual, finish the wash cycle.The properties of each item help to kill mold and remove bad smells.Baking soda and vinegar can be used together.If you can't pour the product straight into the water, mix it with a cup of hot water and use the liquid detergent dispensers.
Step 4: To dry the clothes, hang them outside.
It is a good idea to dry your clothes on a line in the sun.On a sunny day, you can dry your clothes outside.Try to put them in an area with full sun and wind.You'll need to use your dryer if it's raining outside.The dryer doesn't allow fresh air to flow through your clothes, so it's not ideal.If your clothes come out of the dryer smelling bad, you should wait for a sunny day to wash them and dry them outside.
Step 5: Don't use a no-rinse cleaner.
Submerging a coat in water isn't an option if you need to get the smell out of it.No rinse cleaner effectively rinses the surface of an item without completely saturating the layers of fabric, so there's less chance of warping.You can find a "no-rinse wash" in the laundry products section.You can mix a capful of the no-rinse wash with several liters of water.It should be put into a spray bottle.All parts of your musty garment should be sprayed.To dry the garment, hang it outside in the sun and wind.The smell should be gone when it dries.If the smell persists, repeat the process.The fabric needs to be wet.Don't use this method on items that can get wet.
Step 6: Baking soda should be used.
Dry baking soda can be used on your dry clean only garments.Baking soda will get rid of the smell.For the best results, you may have to repeat the process more than once.The garment should be laid on a clean surface.Sprinkle it all over with baking soda.You can turn it over and do the same thing.If you don't want to put baking soda directly on the item, place it in a plastic bag next to an open container.Baking soda can be put on the garment overnight.Take it outside and shake it.To remove baking soda, use a soft brush.For the rest of the day, hang it outside.
Step 7: Try spraying it with alcohol.
Use cheap vodka if you don't want to pay for a special cleaner.Put something in a spray bottle.Make sure you don't miss a spot by spraying the musty item all over.To dry it, hang it outside in the sun.The musty smell should be removed or weakened by this.
Step 8: Get it cleaned.
If you can't remove the musty smell at home, you may need to take the item to a dry cleaner store.Most dry cleaners can get rid of mustiness by using powerful chemicals.If you're not interested in having your clothing coated with chemicals, look for a "green" dry cleaning store that uses liquid carbon dioxide cleaning.
Step 9: The clothes should be placed in boiling water.
If your items are extremely moldy and you don't want to throw them away, you can try boiling them to kill the mold and remove the musty smell.Only sturdy linens that can stand up to boiling water should be used.If you place delicate fabrics in boiling water, they will fall apart.Bring a large pot of water to a boil.You need a lot of water to saturate the garment.The garment should be placed in a pot.Make sure it gets fully soaked by pouring the boiling water over it.Allow it to sit for five minutes.Wring out the water.You should wear rubber gloves if it's still very hot.The garment should be washed in the washer.It's best to dry it outside in the sun.
Step 10: It's a good idea to use bleach.
It is an effective mold killer.It will remove mold and mustiness from items that are safe to bleach.It is important to check an item's tag before it is bleached.Use a different method if it says "Do Not Bleach".It's a good idea to use bleach in a room with plenty of air and gloves to protect your skin.In a large bucket, mix up a solution with half a cup of bleach and a gallon of water.The musty clothes should be put in the bleach solution.The clothes should be washed in your washing machine.They should be dry in the sun.
Step 11: Try it with ammonia.
Make sure your laundry room is well-ventilated before using ammonia because it is toxic to the lungs.You can start a wash cycle without detergent if you put your clothes in the washer.The ammonia will be added to the water.If you want to do a second cycle with detergent, let the cycle run.To dry your clothes, hang them in the sun.Do not mix bleach with ammonia.If breathed in, it creates a gas that can cause lung damage.Make sure to handle ammonia with care.It can get on your skin if you don't wear clothes.Leave the area to get fresh air if you breathe in ammonia.If you feel light-headed, call poison control.