Mindy said, “I have a couple of polyester blouses that have developed a strong dirty odor. It doesn’t smell like B.O. or mildew, just dirty. This one blouse in particular, the smell was so bad I’ve run it through the wash 3 times now (without wearing it) and it just seems to get worse. I’ve had this blouse for a couple of years and it only recently started smelling. I always wash in cold water, use fragrance & dye free Arm & Hammer detergent (due to hubby’s skin allergy), and dry on the perm press temp. Help!”
Clothes can start to smell for a variety of reasons, one of which is due to a dirty washing machine. If you think the washing machine is your stinking suspect, clean it with the tips in our guide, How to Clean a Washing Machine. Once the machine is clean, use the tips below to remove the odor from your clothes.
Removing the Odor
You Will Need:
- White vinegar
- Borax
- Salt
- Enzyme digester
- Odorzout
Steps to Remove the Odor:
- For general odor removal or for mildew odor removal, wash your clothes as usual and add about ¼ cup of white vinegar to the washer during the last rinse cycle.¹
- Another option for general odor removal is to use borax. Add about ½ cup to the wash with your detergent.¹
- For sweat odors, fill a bucket with warm water and stir in about ½ cup of salt. Soak the item in the bucket of salty water overnight, then wash as usual in the morning.¹
- For organic odors, such as from urine or vomit, use an enzyme digester, such as an enzyme laundry detergent or Simple Solutions Fabric Odor Eliminator. Mix the detergent with some water and dampen the fabric with the solution. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then wash the item as usual. Keep in mind that enzyme digesters cannot be used on wool or silk items.²
- For strong or stubborn odors, such as gasoline, use a commercial product, such as Odorzout. Follow the directions on the label of your selected cleaner.¹
Additional Tips and Advice
- Hot water is better for removing laundry odors than cold water.³
- If you have clothes that smell and can’t be washed immediately, such as athletic items, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the clothes. When it’s time to wash them, put them in the washer with the baking soda and wash as usual.⁴
Sources
- Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic
- Don Aslett’s Stainbuster’s Bible
- Betty’s Book of Laundry Secrets by Betty Faust & Maria Rodale
- Baking Soda Solutions by M.B. Ryther
I have a new pair of Lee jeans and they have a fabric odor. I sprayed them with Febreze and also washed them. They still have an odor, but not as bad as before.