Even after I wash my clothes they still stink?
When I put my clothes in the washing machine and turn them on, then when their done I put them in the drier and once that's done I smell it and It smells still the same and gross. What do I do?
View hidden comment
wikiHow forums are moderated for quality. Learn more about our moderation policy here.
Submit Answer
The best way to deodorize clothes is to wash them after each wear. It's easier to remove odor when there isn't a build-up of bad smells. Think about it this way: it’s easier to keep a stove grease-free if you wipe it down daily, and the same thing is true with your clothes. When you do have strong odors, add a cup of vinegar to your load. Vinegar is a natural, amazing deodorizer, and it's highly effective!
View hidden comment
There are a few possible reasons why your clothes still smell bad after washing them, and each one is easy to fix:
View hidden comment
- A dirty washing machine. Dirt and bacteria can easily build up in a washing machine over time, which can leave your clothes feeling smelly. Cleaning your washing machine on a regular basis can prevent this.
- Using too much detergent. You might think more detergent equals more clean, but this isn’t actually true. Excess detergent might not get fully rinsed out, which traps moisture in your clothes. This can cause a moldy or mildewy smell.
- Waiting too long to dry clothes. If you let your wet clothes sit in the washer before transferring them to the dryer, they can get a moldy smell that won’t go away even after they’re dry.
- Not using hot enough water. Cooler water temperatures are good for protecting delicate fabrics, but the don’t work as well on super sweaty clothes. If the labels on your smelly clothes say it’s okay to use warm or hot water, this may do the trick.
It all starts out with good laundry detergent. Using a proven brand like Tide will help your clothes smell as good as you want them to. Dryer sheets also assist in eliminating odors. It's important to ensure that your washing machine is clean, as well. Clean your washer with vinegar, baking soda, and hot water to keep it clean and odorless.
View hidden comment
Give them a hot water wash if the fabric can handle it. Heat helps kill the stink germs.
• Don’t crowd the washer. Clothes need room to move or they just soak in their own doom.
• Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It works like a reset button for smells.
• For heavy stink, sprinkle baking soda in the wash. Think of it as odor trap dust.
• Dry everything fully. Damp clothes love growing mystery smells.
• Clean the washer too. Sometimes the problem is the machine, not you.
View hidden comment
• Don’t crowd the washer. Clothes need room to move or they just soak in their own doom.
• Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It works like a reset button for smells.
• For heavy stink, sprinkle baking soda in the wash. Think of it as odor trap dust.
• Dry everything fully. Damp clothes love growing mystery smells.
• Clean the washer too. Sometimes the problem is the machine, not you.
Use some baking soda and vinegar in with your load of wash, your washer may need cleaned as well. You can buy those spendy washing machine cleaning tablets, or I just use baking soda and vinegar with some laundry soap a little bit of bleach and run a wash/rinse cycle hot water and nothing in the tub. Works every time I promise.
View hidden comment
While spending a few weeks at a friends house, I noticed this was a real problem with her front loading washing machine.
When removing the washed clothes, I noticed just inside the door is a pocket in between the inner washing machine wall and the outside wall There is a rubber gasket around the opening. My it's there, I have no clue. But closing the washing machine door traps the moister in a warm and dark environment. Creating the perfect breeding ground for mildew. After a day or two you may will notice the smell of mildew.
Use a rag with soap and water and wipe inside the pocket.
From then on, I kept a facecloth in the area. When I have finished the laundry I place facecloth in the pocket sticking part way exposed. This leaves enough of a space for air to get in and dry the moister left behind. Then just leave the door partly open a bit until it dries. The following website clearly indicates this issue and photo of area mentioned.
View hidden comment
When removing the washed clothes, I noticed just inside the door is a pocket in between the inner washing machine wall and the outside wall There is a rubber gasket around the opening. My it's there, I have no clue. But closing the washing machine door traps the moister in a warm and dark environment. Creating the perfect breeding ground for mildew. After a day or two you may will notice the smell of mildew.
Use a rag with soap and water and wipe inside the pocket.
From then on, I kept a facecloth in the area. When I have finished the laundry I place facecloth in the pocket sticking part way exposed. This leaves enough of a space for air to get in and dry the moister left behind. Then just leave the door partly open a bit until it dries. The following website clearly indicates this issue and photo of area mentioned.
What’s on your mind? Ask anything.
Get advice and feedback from experts and wikiHow readers just like you.
Ask a Question
