Have you ever walked through a crowded place and caught a whiff of a musty odor? Especially in hot and humid summer, once a musty odor develops in your clothes, it can be hard to get rid of even after washing, leading to discomfort. It can be quite frustrating if you’ve been diligently washing your laundry but still find the smell lingering. Let’s look at the causes of musty odors in laundry and how to eliminate them effectively.
Why do clothes smell musty?
Why do clothes develop a musty smell? The culprit is a bacteria called Moraxella that thrives on the fibers of clothes. Moraxella flourishes in humid environments, primarily residing in the laundry. In the summer, it feeds on the sweat and moisture the fabric absorbs, producing chemical substances like fatty acids and ammonia, which cause unpleasant odors. This musty smell isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it can lead to skin conditions, especially in children and the elderly, so it should be taken seriously.
Use this instead of fabric softener
Many people add fabric softener when doing laundry, but using baking soda or citric acid is better. While fabric softeners provide a pleasant scent, they also retain moisture, which prolongs drying time. Baking soda and citric acid effectively eliminate odors. Adding a couple of tablespoons of vinegar during the rinse cycle can also help, as the acidic vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria and thus helps prevent musty smells.
Reduce drying time
Reduce laundry drying time to prevent the proliferation of Moraxella bacteria, which causes musty and sour smells. This bacteria thrives in hot, humid conditions. After washing, dry your clothes in a sunny, breezy spot, and make sure to space them out to allow for proper airflow.
Simple and effective: use a fan
Nowadays, many apartments have expanded balconies, leading people to dry their laundry in the living room. A fan can be the simplest and most effective tool in such cases. While sunlight is important for drying, airflow is equally crucial. Using a fan or a circulator indoors can be an effective alternative for drying clothes.
Don’t leave laundry in the washing machine for long
Leaving freshly washed laundry in the washing machine for an extended period creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. Spores from the air can cling to damp laundry, leading to mustiness and foul odors. Therefore, even if it’s inconvenient, it’s best to take the laundry out promptly, either to put it in the dryer or to hang it out to dry thoroughly.
Rinse thoroughly
When washing with cold water, the detergent may not work effectively, making it harder to remove odors. It’s best to wash with warm water at around 30 to 40°C. Using too much detergent can also leave residues that contribute to odors. Ensure you rinse thoroughly by adding an extra rinse cycle, and use the appropriate amount of detergent for the load size to help reduce smells.
Avoid doing laundry all at once
If you usually do laundry in large batches, do it in smaller loads. Leaving sweat-stained or soiled laundry for long periods allows more bacteria and mold to thrive. While this may not be a significant issue in cold, dry winter, it can lead to musty smells in summer if you don’t wash frequently enough, even after proper drying.
Place newspapers on the drying rack
When hanging laundry, alternate between thick and thin garments and long and short items. In the summer, laundry loads increase, causing clothes to be densely packed on the drying rack. However, drying thoroughly is crucial, even if it reduces the load. Placing newspapers under the drying rack and between items helps absorb moisture, speeding up the drying process.
Are there medicines that can help with musty smells?
Digestive aids that help with indigestion contain enzymes that break down proteins and fats. Just like adding vinegar, crushing up digestive aids and adding them to the wash can help remove musty odors from clothes. Mixing detergent with digestive aids can also help remove light stains.
Have you cleaned your washing machine?
Properly storing laundry after washing
Surprisingly, many people neglect to clean their washing machines. Mold and detergent residues can accumulate in the detergent drawer, drainage filter, and drum. Since washing machines use water, cleaning the interior thoroughly at least once a month is advisable. Remove the detergent compartment, rinse it with warm water, and run a standard wash cycle using a washing machine cleaner for the drum. Use a toothbrush to scrub the drain filter, and when cleaning the water supply hose, turn off the faucet, disconnect it, and clean the filter to remove any debris.
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