How to Remove Mildew Smell From Laundry | The Wash That Works

For the full breakdown, see our best Detergent for Mildew Smell guide.

A musty towel or a shirt that sat too long in the washer carries a smell you can’t mask. The mildew odor comes from bacteria and mold spores that settled into the fabric while it stayed damp. The fix isn’t just one wash — it’s a full sequence that kills the odor and keeps it from coming back. And the practical starting point for your next wash day might be the detergent you choose.

Why Mildew Smell Persists After Washing

The spores survive regular detergent at low temperatures, and the odor returns when the fabric gets damp again.

Two factors decide whether the smell survives: what you put in the wash and how you dry the load. Fabric care labels control all of it — the label sets the maximum wash temperature, whether bleach is safe, and whether you can soak or sun-dry the item.

The Step-By-Step Wash That Kills The Odor

Start with separating the affected items, because mildew spores can spread to clean laundry in the same load.

1. Pre-treat odor areas. Mix white vinegar with water and apply it to the worst-smelling spots. Let it sit briefly before washing.
2. Wash with vinegar. Use the hottest water the fabric care label allows.
3. Run a second wash with baking soda. This neutralizes the acidic vinegar smell and pulls remaining odors from the fibers.
4. Dry immediately and completely. Move items to the dryer right away on the highest setting the fabric allows.

Between washes, never let damp laundry sit in the washer or hamper. The hours it spends wet are exactly when mold multiplies.

What To Do When The Smell Won’t Go Away

If the second wash fails and the faded smell persists, the next move depends on the fabric. For whites and cotton only, Bleach is off-limits for anything not labeled bleach-safe — check the care tag first.

On the success side, you’ll know the wash worked when the musty odor is gone, not just covered up. Fresh, clean-smelling fabric with no damp undertone is the signal.

For a load that keeps smelling after vinegar and baking soda, a mold spray like Microban is an option, but only after testing it on a hidden area first.

How To Keep Mildew Smell From Coming Back

Prevention is simpler than a rescue wash, and it starts with drying. Remove finished loads from the washer quickly, dry them completely, and leave the washer door open between uses to air out the drum.

If musty clothes are a recurring problem in your house, the detergent you use can change how well odors lift.

For stubborn cases,

The single most important habit is completing the job: wash hot, wash twice when needed, and dry everything fully before putting it away. A load that goes into the dryer damp or sits overnight in the machine undoes every step you took. When the wash comes out smelling clean and stays that way, the mildew is gone for good.