My problem....I use wash rags for clean-ups in the kitchen and my two year old after meals. I NEVER use the same one twice and have many to use so after one use I throw in the laundry for washing. I'm not sure where the "MUSTY ODOR" is coming from but does anyone know what could be causing them to smell like thant and no matter how much laundry soap and fabric sheets I use the freshly cleaned ones will still smell like that even after being wet down to clean up? And what could I use to get the smell out of them? Or is it just pointless and just throw them away & start over? Anyone have a take on this one? Please help if you can...sorry it's so lengthy. Thank you!
2007-08-24 15:10:14 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
I have also tried the bleach thing and THAT didn't work either...Hmmmm?
2007-08-24 15:19:13 · update #1
Put some Clorox in the wash. This will take musty smells and germs out of your cloths.
2007-08-24 15:15:49 · answer #1 · answered by MadameZ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The sour musty smells are from the wash cloths being damp when they went into the laundry.
I use a combination of OxyClean & detergent and put the laundry on a soak cycle. They soak for about 15 minutes, and then rinse, & wash as normal. Make sure you also use hot water, and if you want to use bleach, do it after the initial soak.
A way of preventing this in the future is to let the rags air dry most of the way before putting them in the hamper. Once it is mostly dry, toss it in the hamper and there won't be any moisture to cause the smell.
2007-08-24 22:22:02 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem, and then I saw the mold building up IN my washer. Just a lil clorox and a rag (taht I did throw asway) and I removed the mold from the plastic molding around the door of the washer... and the smell was gone. Also, make sure your not leaving the rags in the damp washer too long after the cycle is complete, this will cause them to grow mildew as well... Good muck! I mean luck! ha
2007-08-24 22:20:08 · answer #3 · answered by kathleen h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your water could be the source of your smell.
Have you tried bleaching these items?
Actually I have 3 suggestions for you.
1. Wash you clothes as usual but add a fourth a cup of Avon's Bubblebath to the water. I've done this here in Houston & it helps.
2. Try a Lemon or a Lime in the final rinse. Take the citrus cut it up into several pieces, squeeze it & throw the fruit in the final rinse & continue with the rinse cycle. I used to do this to the baby's clothes back in the 60s. I love the lemon/lime fragrance.
3. Do the same as #1, but substitute Avon's Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil, the one with the turquoise lid, I use about a third of a cup. I do this when the bath towels come back from the swimming pool.
2007-08-24 22:24:59 · answer #4 · answered by ♫ Bubastes, Cat Goddess♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
musty odor could be caused by food stuck on the rags overnight. I usually wash the clean up rags with soap and then zap it in the microwave for a minute and it removes all bacteria, hence there's no smell the next day.
2007-08-24 22:21:18 · answer #5 · answered by PikC 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Put them in a wash with some baking soda. Baking soda helps get rid of all sorts of odors.
During the rinse cycle, throw in some vinegar. It will remove any remains of the baking soda and will help with the odors as well.
Last but not least, hang the rags in the sunshine to dry. Sunlight kills all sorts of mildew/mold which may be causing the musty smell.
Good luck!
2007-08-24 22:19:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My sister had this same issue with her baby bibs...She was throwing wet, food covered bibs in the laundry basket. I told her to let her bibs soak in Soo Clean, or Borax , in a pail until she`s ready to wash them. That way the bacteria does have a chance to grow and infiltrate the material.. Sometimes the mold and bacteria would be soo bad she would have to throw away a whole bag of bibs!! Just let them soak in a pail of Borax....before you`re ready to wash them.
2007-08-27 16:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by lost2day 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to air dry them before putting them in a closed in area such as your machine or hamper. You might need to buy new ones and throw these away.
Towels need to be dried out too if they are going to be washed a day or two later.
After I wash and dry, I always hang towels and wash cloths on something to air dry them even more before folding them up. They are still holding water that you cannot feel.
2007-08-24 22:20:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the store, or you might have a bottle of it at home, hydrogen peroxide use a bottle the next time you wash the towels. I t might take some color out might not,will also make your whites whiter,use a bottle instead of some bleach, you will be amazed!
2007-08-24 22:25:55 · answer #9 · answered by beauguess1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use the bleach cycle with hot water. Leave the lid open. If its a front loader check the rubber seal.
2007-08-24 22:43:56 · answer #10 · answered by xtraodnarymachine 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋