Does your laundry smell less like fresh cotton and more like a stagnant bog of despair? This guide should help. We’ll share all the different reasons clothes smell after washing and (more importantly) how to get the damp smell out of clothes.
Why does my washing smell? 10 Common reasons your clothes smell after washing
1. Dirt build-up in your washing machine
Washing machines have a really annoying habit of holding on to stagnant water, harbouring limescale, bacteria or mould, and getting blocked filters. According to a study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, residual water can affect odours, resulting in laundry cross-contamination.[1] If you haven’t cleaned your washer for quite some time, it may be the reason why your clothes smell after washing.
Luckily, there’s usually no need to call a repair service. You can give your machine a deep clean pretty easily, and there’s minimal elbow grease involved. We show you how in this in-depth guide to cleaning a washing machine.
2. Incorrect amount of laundry detergent
Are you faithfully measuring the amount of detergent you use, or do you just chuck a glug in and hope for the best? Excess detergent won’t rinse away properly and can remain trapped in the fabric, encouraging waterlogging. The mould growth from the trapped moisture is likely the reason why your clothes smell bad after washing.
On the other hand, too little detergent means you won’t get the clothes clean. Make sure you check the detergent packet or bottle for dosing instructions. They’ll often focus on a 6kg or 7kg load, so if you have a larger machine, you may need to add a bit more soap powder or liquid. And, if you’re only washing a light load, you might not need as much detergent.
Some laundry brands provide handy dosing balls. If yours doesn’t, it’s worth investing in a measuring cup (you’ll often find them in the baking aisle). Or you could switch to capsules to make life easier.
Choosing a fragranced detergent or adding fabric conditioner will also help to make your clothes smell fresher for longer. For instance, you can use Surf concentrated detergent that comes with natural essential oils. This way, you can keep your laundry smelling good for a long time.
3. Overloaded washing machine
Now, when you’re having a shower, we’re guessing you move around a bit to make sure you’re getting good and clean. You don’t curl yourself up in a ball. Clothes need space to move too, otherwise, they’re not going to get properly cleaned.
So, it might not be that the machine makes clothes smell bad after washing, you’re just not letting it do its job properly. We know it’s tempting to stuff it as full as possible to cut down on loads, but resist the temptation (unless you want to walk around smelling like gone off milk).
4. Too long in the washing machine
If your clothes smell damp after washing, it might just mean you need to take them out of the machine quicker.
The longer you leave them in the machine, the staler they’re going to smell. Try using the ‘delay start’ function on your washing machine so the wash finishes at a more convenient time.
5. Excess humidity
If your clothes still smell after washing, you’re probably not drying them properly. Your clothes should dry within a few hours to ensure that they will smell fresh. Moreover, if there isn’t enough heat, it can take longer for them to dry. Consequently, they will smell damp and musty.
If your laundry smells bad after drying indoors, you might want to invest in a dehumidifier to speed up the process. This way, you won’t have to deal with the dreaded damp clothes smell. It’ll also help to stop all that water from ending up in the air in your home.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide on how to get rid of damp smell in clothes to learn more.
6. Improper drying process
Make sure clothes are completely dry before you take them off the line or out of the tumble dryer. That might mean selecting ‘extra dry’ on your dryer.
And when using a tumble dryer, don’t overload it. Moreover, try to dry similar-weighing clothes together.
If you prefer to iron clothes while they’re still damp, do it straight away, rather than leaving your ironing pile to mount up.
7. Your clothes are still damp when you put them away
Again, this goes back to the need to dry laundry quickly. If you put sheets, clothes and towels away even slightly damp, they’re going to smell pretty foul by the time you come to use them.
So to prevent your clothes from smelling bad after washing, make sure they’re completely dry before you fold or hang them.
8. Your clothes don’t have room to breathe
A study published in PLOS One revealed insufficient airflow can lead to stuffy odours.[2] So, if air can’t circulate around clothes, they’re going to start smelling musty quickly. Hang them rather than fold them, if you can. And leave space between each item to prevent your clothes from smelling bad after washing.
If you do need to fold them, try not to stuff your drawers to overflowing – that might mean having a bit of a declutter.
9. Your clothes have been in storage for too long
If you haven’t worn clothes for a while, they can start to smell stale. Try hanging them outside on the line for a couple of hours to breathe new life into them. Often, the combination of sunlight and breeze will be enough to lift the mildew smell. Even if it's not sunny, some fresh air can do the world of good.
If that doesn’t work, pop them in the machine for a quick rinse with some fabric conditioner. And while you’re learning how to remove the bad smell from clothes after washing, consider using Comfort fabric conditioner. Aside from making fabrics smell great, this product will also protect your clothes from fading, making them look great for a long time.
Determine whether you’re going to store your clothes for a long time. Let’s say you’re packing winter clothes away in the loft over the summer. In this case, one of the best tips to keep your clothes smelling fresh is by placing a small scented lavender bag in with them.
10. Your clothes need a hotter wash
If you’ve followed the tips above and are still wondering why your clothes smell after washing, it might be that they need a deep clean. According to a Journal of Chromatography study, it can be difficult to deal with biofilm buildup when washing at lower temperatures.[3] So, consider giving your clothes a hotter wash.
Lower temperatures help to protect fabrics but aren’t as good at getting rid of sweaty smells. Try washing your clothes on a long wash at the highest allowable temperature. However, make sure to understand the meanings behind clothing label symbols. This way, you’ll still protect your clothes while washing them.
You can also use white vinegar to disinfect your laundry. Don’t worry, it helps to deodorise clothes and won’t leave them smelling like your local fish and chip van.
Now, do your clothes need washing at 30ºC or 40ºC degrees? If so, it’s worth switching to a more powerful detergent that’s designed for lower temperatures, like Persil.
Bonus tips for removing the damp smell from your clothes
Switch to a different detergent
If you’ve followed proper washing and drying guidelines and yet your clothes still smell bad after washing, then the probably lies with the detergent you’re using. Laundry detergents containing low-quality ingredients tend to leave residue on fabrics. And because of the residue build-up, your clothes will smell foul long after you’ve dried them.
As such, we recommend switching to a laundry detergent brand with better-quality ingredients. Surf, for instance, has freshness-enhancing ingredients that bring a clean scent to clothes. What’s more, the fresh aroma lingers on the fabric, giving your clothes a just-washed smell all day.
Soak your clothes in white vinegar
Some clothes, especially hoodies and jeans, are prone to smelling damp after washing. As we’ve mentioned, they simply don’t dry adequately, especially during the colder seasons.
So if you anticipate that your clothes will smell bad after washing, add a pre-wash routine to your regular laundry process. All it takes is one ingredient – white vinegar. White vinegar works to prevent and remove the musty smell from fabrics because its acidity neutralises alkaline odours.
To make your soaking solution, mix one cup of white vinegar with a bucket of hot water. Put your clothes in the solution, ensuring that all of them are completely submerged in the water. Then, let your clothes sit in the solution for about an hour. Once the time is up, you can wash your clothes as you would regularly.
Which types of clothes smell the worst?
The perception of "worst" smelling clothes can vary based on personal preference and factors such as fabric, maintenance, and usage. However, certain types of clothes tend to hold odours more strongly. For example, synthetic materials like polyester or nylon have less breathability, trapping sweat and odour. Also, clothes worn during intense physical activities, such as workout attire or sports uniforms, can accumulate sweat and bacteria, leading to unpleasant smells.
Additionally, clothes made from natural fibres like wool or silk can retain odours if not properly cared for. It is important to follow proper laundering instructions, use quality detergents, and ensure thorough drying to prevent clothes from smelling bad after washing.
Keep reading Cleanipedia’s blog for more laundry tips and hacks!
References:
1. Abney, S. E., Ijaz, M. K., McKinney, J., & Gerba, C. P. (2021). Laundry Hygiene and odor Control: state of the science. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 87(14). https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.03002-20
2. Wang, J., Li, B., Qin, Y., Yu, W., Wang, H., Norbäck, D., & Sundell, J. (2013). Odors and sensations of humidity and dryness in relation to sick building syndrome and home environment in Chongqing, China. PLOS ONE, 8(8), e72385. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072385
3. Denawaka, C., Fowlis, I. A., & Dean, J. R. (2016). Source, impact and removal of malodour from soiled clothing. Journal of Chromatography A, 1438, 216–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2016.02.037
