I'm on top of my laundry and nothing sits around wet for very long. However, I'm still getting mildew smells on some of my clothes. I've tried color safe bleach and vinegar and usually, I just end up throwing things away.
What's really strange to me is that one or two items come out of a load of laundry smelling this way while the rest smells fine.
Please help! This is costing me money and I'd like to save my clothes.
2006-07-08 09:17:30 · 11 answers · asked by Stephanie H 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
I forgot to mention I have a front load washer. Is there anything I can be doing differently with this type of machine?
2006-07-14 08:24:58 · update #1
The clothing is infected and you need to kill the mildew! There are two options. If it is white wash it with some chlorine bleach following the directions on the bottle. If it isn't white get some oxyclean and mix up a batch, following package instructions, and let the laundry soak for 3 hours! Either option works great.
To avoid this problem with my home washer I try to do at least one load of whites with bleach a week in my washer. If I do this then I can leave loads in the washer for 24 hours without developing that smell.
Good luck!
2006-07-08 09:31:21 · answer #1 · answered by psycho-cook 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't let your wet laundry sit in the washer too long after its done... it doesn't get good ventilation in there if the lid is down, and will start to smell weird after awhile. If this happens, it should be washed over again, because just drying it won't get the smell to go away. Try to transfer the clothes to the dryer as soon as you can after its done washing. If you have clothes or items that are damp that need to go in the hamper, such as when you take off a shirt or socks and they are damp from sweating, leave them laying out a few hours so they can dry before putting them in the hamper. For the same reason, damp fabric trapped in the hamper with other fabric doesn't get much air circulation, and can lead to unpleasant smells. Read the tags on your clothes, if they allow bleaching, by all means, use it. Bleach does a pretty darn good job at killing little things that cause smells. In general, whites are the only clothes you can bleach safely with traditional bleach. Colors should be treated with color-safe bleach such as Clorox 2, if necessary. You also might want to try a different laundry detergent. The one you are using may not be good enough. My preference is to use liquid detergents - in my experience, powders dont always dissolve well, and leave annoying white residue in the washer that gets all over dark colored clothes. I have been using Arm & Hammer liquid detergent for several years now and am very happy with it. Good luck, I hope this helps.
2016-03-26 21:48:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I swear that my family has the stinkiest, dirtiest laundry on the planet. And nothing helps with bad smells like borax.
I also have found that with milldew smells adding a bit of regular bleach to any load of laundry helps. Here is what I do, add about an 1/8 of a cup (about 2 tablespoons) of regular bleach to an empty washer. Fill washer completely with water, add detergent and allow to agitate for a couple of seconds to mix. Add any type of clothes and wash as normal. This has gotten some bad smells out of dark colored towels & jeans with no change in their color.
2006-07-08 09:36:19 · answer #3 · answered by momma dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this will help you but it did for me. when I start a load I use the same thing you do but I also use some baking soda about a handful. I will also leave the lid up so it doesn't spin that way it will soak in the solution for as long as I like.I also do this with my fabric softener. It really makes my clothes come out smelling really great. It is time consuming but go ahead and try it a couple of times. I hope you smell better next time.
2006-07-08 09:35:58 · answer #4 · answered by meemeemee40 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be your washer do a load without clothes with either bleach or lemon juice & your regular detergent then try doing a load of clothes the smell should be gone
2006-07-08 10:14:49 · answer #5 · answered by sugarbdp1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the smell could be the water sitting in your pipes longer than normal. Could also be sitting somewhere in your washer and not draining completely from the pipes in there (if you do your laundry less than every other day or so). It may not be your laundry habits or your detergent, etc. Maybe try running a short wash before washing your clothes if you are not in the habit of washing every day, or every other day.
2006-07-08 09:24:27 · answer #6 · answered by sheristeele 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you think the odor is coming from your machine? I had the same problem. As it turns out I took my whole machine apart and cleaned it. It had a major build up on the upper part of the outside of the tub. But you can't clean it without taking the outer cover off first. Look at your machine mentanence books.
2006-07-08 09:31:50 · answer #7 · answered by wicketpom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried to run the washing machine with out clothing to clean it using lots of bleach & hot water?
you can use baking soda in your laundry like vinegar it helps to elimate odors it is a bit more effect...you can even use the vingar
& the baking soda together.
or if this is not your own machine & a laundry mat machine change places.
2006-07-08 09:28:41 · answer #8 · answered by kersria10 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always make it a practice to put wet clothes in the dryer immediately.
And make sure your dryer vent is cleaned out.
2006-07-14 14:25:36 · answer #9 · answered by Bonnebelle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash less at a time. Use higher water levels. Fabric softener or drier sheet may also help.
2006-07-08 09:22:59 · answer #10 · answered by kg122673 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋