Clothes have a smell

Katrina
by Katrina
My clothes have been having a sour smell I been using fabric softener as well dryer sheets as well for washing my clothes I been using Purex crystals wash my clothes can someone or anyone help me with this problem I don't know what to do Thanks for advice
  14 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 25, 2016

    www.housecleaningcentral.com/en/cleaning-tips/clothing/remove-musty-smell-from

  • Farmwife Farmwife on Nov 25, 2016

    use of white vinegar in rinse cycle may help remove it but you might have to get a water softener if you have hard water. hope this helps !


    • Katrina Katrina on Nov 25, 2016

      Thanks for the tip I hate it seems like lately a lot of people is having issues with the laundry and all

  • Patty Kettler Miller Patty Kettler Miller on Nov 25, 2016

    Use a cup of baking soda in with your laundry detergent and a cup of white vinegar in your rinse cycle. this may take several times of washing but I do it with towels my boys leave wet in the bahroom and it has worked for me.

  • William William on Nov 26, 2016

    If you know that your clothes will need an additional boost to remove odor, add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to your wash load along with your normal laundry detergent. ***** Dish detergent (Dawn) contains unique compounds that help in breaking down organic odors. Hand wash your fish infused clothing with this formula int the sink. Finish by placing clothing within the washing machine for an entire cycle. ***** This compound works in breaking down bacteria and organics, and can work miracles with eliminating odors within your clothing. Simply add one cup of hydrogen peroxide with your wash along with clothing detergent to boot the residual odor out of your clothing. ***** Borax is a household cleaning ingredient used within a wide range of products. Add a 1/2 cup of borax to you normal wash load along side your normal detergent. ***** This popular drink has been used for several generations as a odor reduction remedy. Vodka works by neutralizing and carrying the odor off as the solution evaporates from the clothing. Find a large bowl and pour 1 part vodka for every 2 parts water. Dunk clothing into mixture and work within fiber of clothing. Ring out and hang clothing items outside on the clothing line to air dry.


  • Rosa Rosa on Jan 13, 2017

    I have had the same problem. I tried vinegar, baking soda, changing laundry detergents, using more fabric softener, and adding several dryer sheets. In the end, I found it best to place less clothes in the washer and taking it out and drying as soon as I can. It seems to work for me. I hope it helps. :)

  • Margaret Nolland Margaret Nolland on Jan 14, 2017

    Tea tree oil in the washing water, completely dry in the sun.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Jan 16, 2017

    If you have a front load washing machine you need to leave the door open at all times as they retain water around the gasket or, according to my repairman, using too much detergent will build up over time on the outside of the basket. Never let clean clothes spend time after washing them hanging around with the washing machine door shut; move them into the dryer even if you intend to run it later. I buy washing machine cleaner as it really works well.

  • Jennifer Jennifer on Jan 16, 2017

    The only thing I've found that works on clothing/towels that have gotten a musty smell is using 3/4 cup of Pine Sol in addition to my detergent. It is the only thing that keeps them from smelling musty again once they get damp, plus it disinfects. I've not had any problem with it affecting colors.

  • JEWEL C JEWEL C on Jan 16, 2017

    If you have one of those new machines with no dasher you may need to wash the washer. Tide make a product just for that.

  • Carol Carol on Jan 19, 2017

    Vinegar just gives clothes a different smell. You have to get clothes out of washer as soon as it is done washing. I dry for a few minutes to get wrinkles out & then some more on air dry but it may take a couple washings to get musty smell out. Also new HE washers need to have door kept open after washing. Try the products for cleaning the washer. Inside can get mildew under the basket where you can not reach. Good luck.

  • Jerri Jerri on Jan 19, 2017

    I use one cup white vinegar in my rinse cycle it takes the sour smell out and it's also use in rinse cycle as a fabric softener plus the vinegar keeps washer ever any build up of hard water deposits

  • Katrina Katrina on Jan 20, 2017

    Thanks for your tip an hey neighbor its always great see others lives around close to myself

  • Jerri Jerri on Jan 21, 2017

    Your so welcome , for washer to keep it clean I use a product tide washing machine cleaner it comes in small box -3pkgs inside and u take 1 out fill washer up with hot water and wash a full regular cycle ,I use this every 3-6 months and the new machine it has instructions ,I'm old school I like using washer that has an aiatator in it beat the clothes clean

  • S Brown S Brown on Jan 21, 2017

    It seems the newer front loading and top loading machines are having this issue. I've read a lot of complaints about this.


    I have a top loading machine and much like the earlier response from Suellen, I have to keep the door open, and the soap dispenser opened as well to prevent the smell from developing. Also, you should plan on getting the clothes to the dryer ASAP...even staying overnight will develop the smell. The washer seems to need to "dry out" between washings.