How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Clothes (That Actually Works)

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That sour, musty smell on clothes is mildew — a type of mold that grows on damp fabric when it stays wet too long or is stored without drying fully. The good news is that mildew smell is almost always removable with the right approach. The bad news is that standard washing with regular detergent often is not enough. This guide covers what actually works, step by step.

Quick Answer: How to Remove Mildew Smell

• Step 1: Add one cup of white vinegar to the wash instead of detergent — run a full cycle
• Step 2: If smell persists, wash again with half a cup of baking soda added to the drum
• Step 3: For severe cases, soak in an oxygen bleach solution for several hours before washing
• Step 4: Always dry thoroughly — sunlight is the best natural mildew killer

What Causes Mildew Smell in Clothes

Wet fabric left sitting too long

The most common cause: clothes left in the washing machine after the cycle ends, or damp clothes piled together before they dry. Within 30 to 60 minutes in a warm, closed environment, mold spores already present on fabric begin growing. The smell that develops is not from the moisture itself but from mold metabolites — volatile organic compounds released as mold grows.

Stored clothes that were not completely dry

Folding or hanging clothes that feel dry on the surface but retain moisture inside thick fabric (towels, jeans, hoodies, fleece) is a reliable path to mildew. The inside-out layers stay damp long enough for mold to establish. Always make sure thick items are bone dry before folding and storing.

A dirty washing machine

Mildew inside the washing machine drum itself — especially in front-loaders where the rubber door seal stays damp — transfers to clothes during every wash cycle. If your "clean" laundry comes out smelling musty, the machine is usually the culprit. See Why Clean Laundry Smells Musty and check your machine first.

Closed storage with insufficient airflow

Drawers and closets with poor ventilation can develop mildew conditions, especially in humid climates or poorly ventilated bathrooms where clothes are stored. Clothes in these environments absorb moisture from the air over time.

Step-by-Step: How to Remove Mildew Smell from Clothes

Step 1: Check if the washing machine itself is the problem

Before treating clothes, run a hot empty cycle with two cups of white vinegar to clean the drum. Check the rubber door gasket on front-loaders for visible mold — wipe it thoroughly with a cloth dampened in a vinegar solution. If the machine smells, your "clean" clothes will too, no matter what you add to the wash.

Step 2: White vinegar wash

White vinegar is the most effective first-line treatment for mildew smell. The acetic acid in vinegar kills mold and neutralizes the volatile compounds responsible for the odor. Do not mix it with detergent — acid and soap can cancel each other out.

• Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the detergent compartment or directly into the drum
• Do not add detergent
• Run on the hottest cycle safe for the fabric
• Check the care label first — see Laundry Symbols Explained if needed

For delicate fabrics that cannot handle hot water, soak the item in a basin of cool water with one cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes, then hand wash gently.

Step 3: Baking soda wash

If the vinegar wash has reduced but not eliminated the smell, follow up with a baking soda cycle. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a base that neutralizes acidic odor compounds and helps lift residual mildew from fabric.

• Add half a cup of baking soda to the drum (not the detergent drawer)
• Add your regular detergent to the detergent compartment as usual
• Run a normal cycle with warm water

Step 4: Oxygen bleach soak for severe cases

For heavily mildewed items — clothes that sat wet for days, stored items with visible mold spots — a pre-soak with oxygen bleach (like OxiClean or similar) is the most powerful non-chlorine option. Oxygen bleach releases hydrogen peroxide when dissolved in water, which kills mold spores and breaks down odor compounds without the fabric damage that chlorine bleach can cause on colored items.

• Dissolve oxygen bleach in warm water according to package directions
• Submerge the affected item and soak for four to eight hours, or overnight
• Wash normally afterward with detergent

Note: Check fabric compatibility before using oxygen bleach on wool, silk, or very delicate fabrics.

Step 5: Dry thoroughly in sunlight if possible

UV light from the sun is a natural and highly effective mildew killer. After washing, hang clothes in direct sunlight to dry whenever possible. The UV breaks down remaining mold spores that survived washing, and the heat and airflow help ensure the fabric dries quickly before any new growth can start. If outdoor drying is not possible, use a dryer on the highest safe heat setting or ensure clothes are in a well-ventilated room with good airflow.

What Does Not Work (Common Mistakes)

Just washing with regular detergent

Regular detergent removes surface dirt but does not reliably kill mold spores or neutralize their odor compounds. You might reduce the smell temporarily, but it typically comes back after the clothes are worn and warm again.

Fabric softener

Adding fabric softener to mildewed clothes makes things worse. The coating it leaves on fabric creates a surface that mold can colonize more easily. Skip the fabric softener entirely when dealing with mildew. See What Not to Wash with Fabric Softener for more situations where it makes things worse.

Drying on low heat

Low heat may not thoroughly dry thick or heavy items. If clothes feel dry but carry a faint musty smell afterward, they likely were not dried at a high enough temperature to kill mold. Run a second dryer cycle on a higher setting, or move them to direct sunlight.

Mixing vinegar and baking soda in the same wash

These two compounds neutralize each other when combined — acid meets base, creating CO2 and water. Use them sequentially in separate wash cycles, not together in the same load.

Preventing Mildew Smell in the Future

• Move clothes from the washer within 30 minutes of the cycle ending
• Never pile damp clothes in a basket or hamper — this creates ideal mildew conditions
• Ensure thick items are fully dry before folding — check inside folds and pockets
• Leave the washing machine door ajar after each use to let the drum air out
• Clean your washing machine monthly — run a hot cycle with vinegar or use a machine cleaning tablet
• Use an appropriate amount of detergent — excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold; see How Much Laundry Detergent to Use

Mildew on Specific Fabric Types

Towels

Towels are among the most common victims of mildew because they are thick and often folded while still retaining interior moisture. Wash mildewed towels with white vinegar (no detergent) on the hottest setting the towels can handle, then follow with a baking soda wash with detergent. Dry on high heat.

Workout clothes and synthetics

Synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex hold odor compounds more stubbornly than natural fibers. Vinegar is especially effective on synthetics. Pre-soak in a vinegar-water solution before washing, and avoid fabric softener, which coats the fibers and traps odors.

Wool and delicates

Hot water and strong oxygen bleach are not safe for wool or delicate fabrics. Use cool-water soaking with white vinegar as your primary treatment. Dry flat in a well-ventilated area, ideally in sunlight. If smell persists, a dry cleaning professional is the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can clothes with severe mildew be saved?

In most cases yes, with the oxygen bleach soak method. Clothes with visible mold growth that has been present for weeks or has penetrated deep into thick fabric may be too far gone, but most mildew cases respond to treatment.

Is the vinegar smell a problem after washing?

No — white vinegar smell rinses out completely in the wash. You will not notice any vinegar scent on clothes after drying. The acetic acid dissipates during the rinse cycle and during drying.

Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?

White vinegar is preferred because it is clear and will not stain light-colored fabric. Apple cider vinegar can leave yellowish staining on lighter fabrics and is not significantly more effective than white vinegar for this purpose.

How do I get mildew smell out of a laundry hamper?

Wash fabric hamper liners, spray plastic or wicker hampers with undiluted white vinegar, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe clean. Leave the hamper in sunlight or a well-ventilated area to dry completely. Do not close it up until it is fully dry.

The Bottom Line

Mildew smell in clothes is almost always fixable. White vinegar is your first and most effective tool — it kills mold and neutralizes odor without damaging most fabrics. Follow with a baking soda wash for stubborn cases, and oxygen bleach for severe mildew. Always dry completely, preferably in sunlight, to prevent the problem from returning.

Recommended Products (Affiliate)

• Odor-Eliminating Laundry Detergent
• White Distilled Vinegar (Laundry)
• OxiClean Odor Blasters
• Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets

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