To get the mildew smell out of clothes, wash them in the hottest safe water with one cup of white vinegar and no detergent, then run a second cycle with one cup of baking soda. For stubborn odor, pre-soak in a vinegar and water solution first, and use oxygen bleach on tough cases. Dry in sunlight to finish. A normal wash fails because it masks the smell instead of killing the mold and bacteria causing it.

That damp, musty smell means mold and bacteria have moved into the fabric fibers. Detergent and a fresh scent spray only cover it up, so the odor returns the moment the clothes get warm or damp again. The fix is to attack the source. This guide climbs from the gentlest method to the strongest, so you use only as much as the smell requires.

Why do clothes smell like mildew even after washing?

Because the smell is alive. It comes from mold and bacteria living deep in the fibers, not from a lack of soap. Regular detergent cleans the surface but often does not kill what is embedded.

Clothes pick up that musty odor for a few predictable reasons:

• Wet laundry left sitting in the washer too long.
• Damp storage, like a basement, gym bag, or a closet with poor airflow.
• A musty washing machine that transfers its own smell onto everything inside it.

That last cause is the sneaky one. If every load comes out musty, the machine itself is likely the source, and cleaning the washer matters as much as treating the clothes.

Method 1: How do you use vinegar to remove mildew smell?

White vinegar is the first line of attack, cheap, non-toxic, and effective. Its acetic acid breaks down the odor-causing bacteria.

1. Set the washer to the hottest temperature the fabric allows.
2. Add your musty clothes with one cup of distilled white vinegar and no detergent.
3. Run a full cycle.

The heat plus the acid work together to break up the grime and bacteria hiding in the fabric pores. For delicate items, keep the water cooler and rely on a soak instead.

Method 2: How do you use baking soda to finish the job?

Baking soda works differently from vinegar. Instead of killing bacteria, it absorbs and neutralizes the odor molecules. Use it as a second pass.

1. After the vinegar cycle, spread the clothes evenly in the drum.
2. Add one cup of baking soda (half a cup for a lighter load).
3. Run again on the hottest safe setting.

Because baking soda is alkaline, it neutralizes what the vinegar loosened, and the two-step sequence handles most everyday mildew smells completely. Do not add vinegar and baking soda to the same cycle expecting more power. They cancel each other out. Run them separately.

Method 3: When should you pre-soak first?

If the smell is set in, start with a soak before you wash. This is your best move for thick fabrics like towels, denim, and fleece that hold odor deep.

• Mix one part white vinegar to four parts cool water in a tub or sink.
• Fully submerge the clothes and soak for at least an hour, longer for stubborn cases.
• Wring out, then run the vinegar wash and baking soda wash above.

A baking soda soak works too: warm water with baking soda for a few hours pulls odor out of dense fibers before the wash even starts.

Method 4: How do you handle really stubborn odor?

When vinegar and baking soda are not enough, step up to oxygen bleach.

Unlike chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach breaks down into oxygen and water, so it is safe for colors and gentler on fabric. Dissolve it per the package directions, soak the clothes, then launder as usual. It is especially good for towels that stay musty through repeated washes.

Save chlorine bleach for whites with visible mold, and never let it touch vinegar.

Method 5: What if there is visible mold on the fabric?

A musty smell with no visible growth is odor only. Fuzzy or slimy black, green, or brown patches are actual mold, and they need removing before you treat the smell.

1. Take the item outside and brush off the surface mold with a stiff brush, so spores do not spread through your machine.
2. For sturdy or white fabrics, soak in a solution of one part bleach to three parts water for about 30 minutes. For colors, use oxygen bleach instead.
3. Rinse, then launder as usual.
4. If the stain lifts but the smell lingers, follow with the vinegar and baking soda washes.

Always check the care label first. Bleach and hot water can ruin delicate or non-colorfast items.

How does drying affect the mildew smell?

Drying is where you lock in the win or undo it. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant. Its UV rays kill lingering odor-causing bacteria and freshen fabric for free.

• Hang clothes outdoors in direct sun whenever possible, with space between items for airflow.
• If you must use a dryer, dry on the hottest safe setting and make sure clothes come out completely dry. Even slightly damp clothes will smell musty again fast.
• Never leave the finished load sitting in the washer or dryer.

How do you stop mildew smell from coming back?

Prevention is simpler than any of the fixes above:

• Move wet laundry to the dryer promptly. Do not let it sit.
• Dry clothes fully before folding or storing them.
• Store in a dry, airy space. Avoid cramming damp items into gym bags, hampers, or basement closets.
• Clean your washing machine regularly, especially the gasket and drum, so it stops seeding the smell.
• Air out gym clothes before tossing them in the hamper.

Interestingly, the vinegar and baking soda method is not new. Household manuals from more than a century ago recommended the same two ingredients for musty laundry, which is a fair sign it actually works.

Frequently asked questions

Does vinegar really get mildew smell out of clothes?

Yes. The acetic acid breaks down the bacteria causing the odor. Wash with a cup of vinegar and no detergent on the hottest safe setting.

Can I use vinegar and baking soda together?

Use them in separate cycles. Combined, they neutralize each other and lose their cleaning power.

Why do my towels still smell after washing?

Towels hold odor deep in thick fibers. Pre-soak them, then try oxygen bleach, and dry them fully, ideally in the sun.

Does sunlight remove musty smells?

Yes. UV rays kill odor-causing bacteria and naturally freshen fabric, which is why line drying works so well.

What if the smell keeps coming back on every load?

Your washing machine is probably the source. Clean the drum, gasket, and drain filter, and stop leaving wet laundry sitting inside.