How to Remove Mildew Smell from Clothes

Why Clothes Get a Mildew Smell

Mildew smell develops when clothes are left damp for too long — in the washing machine, in a gym bag, or stored while not fully dry. The smell comes from mold and mildew spores that have colonized the fabric. The good news: mildew smell is almost always fully removable, and the treatment also kills the spores causing it.

Method 1: White Vinegar Wash (Most Effective)

1. Add one to two cups of white vinegar directly to the washing machine drum (not the detergent drawer).
2. Run a hot wash cycle with no detergent — just the vinegar.
3. Then run a second wash with your regular detergent.
4. Air dry immediately — don't leave in the machine.

White vinegar kills mold and mildew spores and neutralizes the musty odor. This two-wash method is the most reliable approach for mildew smell.

Method 2: Baking Soda + Vinegar Combination

1. Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle with your detergent.
2. Add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
3. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
4. Air dry immediately.

Method 3: OxiClean Soak (For Stubborn Mildew)

For clothes with persistent mildew smell that doesn't respond to vinegar:

1. Soak in OxiClean solution for 1–6 hours.
2. Wash as normal with detergent.
3. Air dry in sunlight if possible — UV light kills remaining mold spores.

Method 4: Sunlight

After washing, dry clothes in direct sunlight whenever possible. UV light is a natural mold and mildew killer and helps eliminate any remaining musty smell. This is particularly effective as a follow-up to any of the washing methods above.

Preventing Mildew Smell

• Never leave wet clothes in the washing machine — transfer to the dryer or hang immediately after the cycle ends.
• Don't store damp clothes — always ensure clothes are completely dry before folding or storing.
• Leave the washing machine door open between uses to allow the drum to dry out.
• Wash gym clothes promptly — don't leave sweaty clothes in a bag for days.
• Use an odor eliminator spray on gym bags and storage areas to prevent mildew from developing.

Final Thoughts

A hot vinegar wash followed by a normal detergent wash removes mildew smell in most cases. For stubborn cases, OxiClean soak and sunlight drying complete the job. Prevention is simple: never store damp clothes and transfer laundry immediately after the wash cycle ends.