How to get rid of the smell of dampness on clothes

The smell of dampness on clothes is a fairly common and unpleasant phenomenon. A similar feature is caused by the fact that the laundry is too long in the machine after washing. There are frequent cases when the room for drying things is poorly ventilated, as a result of which bacteria develop in the fibers of the fabric, mold appears. It is quite difficult to get rid of a musty smell if you do not use home remedies. Consider the effective methods in order and highlight the main aspects.

Practical recommendations

1. So that mold spores do not accumulate in the fibers of the fabric, causing a smell of dampness, dry the clothes completely. If you wish, you can use an iron that is turned on to the maximum mark, it will help kill bacteria.
2. Drying clothes in the offseason is especially difficult. During this period, central heating does not work, as a result of which things remain wet for a long period. In such situations (spring, autumn) it is necessary to use a “breeze” heater, directing the air flow to the products. In addition to quick drying, the heater will save the room from excessive humidity.
3. After washing, the laundry should be pulled out of the machine as soon as possible, otherwise it will start to “go out”. In cases where for certain reasons you do not have time to hang things up, be sure to open the door of the household appliance. Such a move will improve air circulation, preventing mold spores.
4. Make it a habit to wipe the rubber seals, door and drum cavity with a dry cloth after each wash. Do not forget to wash the compartments for washing powder and rinse aid, often they spread the mold.
5. When washing is complete, hang clothes to dry properly. Straighten creases and bends, ensure sufficient air circulation between the products. Dry in a well-ventilated area without excessive moisture. If possible, give preference to a balcony or loggia. Ideal for drying - frost, wind or the scorching sun.
6. In the winter, install a dryer near the radiators. If possible, get an electric clothes dryer that will carry out the procedure many times faster. If your machine is equipped with a drying function, use it.
7. In most cases, a musty smell on clothes appears due to neglect of caring for the washing machine. Inspect seals and drum. If you notice a buildup of dirt or mold (black spots), remove them with a chlorine-based product. After that, set the "Double Rinse" mode to remove the remains of the drug.
8. Keep an eye on the closet where the clothes are stored. It must be dry inside. Periodically get things to dry if you notice moisture accumulation on the far walls. To exclude the possibility of mold, treat the shelves with medical alcohol or vodka once a month. Use special bags with granules that absorb moisture and odor.
9. Do not store clean laundry with previously worn items. If you are steaming and ironing things before storing them, do not forget to dry the items. Very often traces of moisture remain on the laundry, which contribute to the development of mold.
10. To muffle a musty smell, use grandmother's methods. Dry the orange, grapefruit or lemon zest in the oven, place the peel in a linen bag, place inside the cabinet. Optionally, you can put "sachets" in the folds of clothes. Citrus fruit zest is sometimes replaced with dry lavender, ginseng, rosemary, etc.

Proper drying and ironing

1. If the smell of dampness does not manifest itself slightly, it can be removed by drying under direct sunlight. Ultraviolet will kill the spores that appear in the fibers of the tissue. Well, if drying is carried out in the wind, such a move will increase the chances of success by 2 times.
2. If your goal is to eliminate the musty smell from linen and cotton products, try ironing things with an iron without a steaming function. Set the maximum temperature, since the listed types of fabrics easily tolerate heat treatment. After ironing, allow things to lie down and cool completely, then send them to the cabinet for long-term storage.
3. Delicate products must be washed by hand or in a gentle mode, designed specifically for these types of fabrics. Do not use harsh products containing chlorine, they corrode the fibers and do not completely eliminate the smell. Iron products through gauze until dry. During steaming, pour filtered, not running water, into the iron.

Ways to eliminate the smell of dampness

To remove mold spores, sodium borate powder is used (in common "borax"), table vinegar, medical alcohol and baking soda. Consider the processing technology in order, highlight the main aspects.

1. Baking soda. To remove the musty smell, put the clothes in the washing machine, add powder in the first compartment, and soda in the second compartment (at the rate of 70 grams of product per 1 kg of clothing). Start an intensive wash cycle, after turning off the timer, add the conditioner and turn on the double rinse. Dry things in direct sunlight, preferably in the wind.
2. Table vinegar. To prepare the composition, you will need table vinegar with a concentration of 5-9%. Dilute 150 ml. product in 2.5 liters. warm water, soak clothes for 1 hour, then do a hand wash, squeeze thoroughly. If desired, you can pour vinegar into the rinse aid compartment when washing in a household machine. The main thing is to dilute it with water in a ratio of 1: 1.
3. Vodka or alcohol. If the smell has appeared on outerwear, a terry towel or a dense plaid, use this recommendation. Put alcohol into the atomizer, diluting it with water 1: 1. Sprinkle the surface of the product, then hang it in fresh air for thorough drying. If there is no alcohol, use vodka without diluting it with water. In cases when jackets or coats are processed, it is better to use a weak solution of ammonia, spraying it on the surface of the product.
4. "Borax". Get sodium borate at the hardware store, take 40 gr. product and dilute it in 1.5 liters. water. Send things to the basin with the solution, cover the container with cling film, leave for 3.5 hours. After that, wash the thing in the machine to remove all the borax powder from the fabric fibers. Dry in fresh air or radiators.
5. Flavors. In the departments of the supermarket special translucent fragrant water is sold. As a rule, the product is made on the basis of medicinal herbs and perfectly eliminates the smell of dampness. The technology of use is quite simple: pour water into the compartment for the air conditioner, start a normal washing cycle.

Use practical tips for caring for products to prevent the appearance of a musty odor and get rid of mold spores. Consider recipes for folk remedies based on borax, ammonia, vodka, vinegar and soda.