Get the Mildew Smell out of Laundry

The easiest trick ever! No need to throw mildew towels in the rag bag anymore with this easy laundry tip to get the mildew smell out of towels and clothes!

Do you ever accidentally leave your wet clothes in the washer too long? You go to your open it and get a whiff of sour mildew? I’m going to share with you my secret to get the mildew smell out of laundry. I may or may not be guilty of this more than once. I get busy and forget to switch over a load. My two boys have a habit of putting wet things in their laundry baskets and when I go to do laundry I get that same sour smell, it makes you want to gag.The easiest trick ever! No need to throw mildew towels in the rag bag anymore with this easy laundry tip to get the mildew smell out of towels and clothes!

Just washing with detergent is not going to get that smell out and you can pour all the smell good beads in there you want it still won’t go away.  If the fabrics that are being rewashed wont shrink then put the water on your washer to the hot setting. When the water has covered the clothes pour in 1 cup of white vinegar. This works because the acid in vinegar crosses the cell membrane of bacteria and prompts a release of protons which destroys it.

Did you know vinegar is also a natural fabric softener? Now you will not only have less stinky towels but they will be soft as well! Do you have a great tip you would like to share on Quick Tip Tuesday? You can email it or leave me a comment below and you might see your idea featured on Quick Tip Tuesday!

20 Responses

  1. Cathi Carpenter says:
    What if you have a front loader?
  2. Another vinegar use: Dilute white vinegar 50% and pour 1/4-1/2 cup (depending on the size of the load) into the rinse for dark loads. This helps release a lot of lint and pet hair on dark clothes. In my washer, I just load up the bleach and fabric softener cups and that does the trick so that I don't have to remember to go back for the rinse cycle. It may not look like it works at first but it makes the hair release in the dryer. I get enough in some loads to make a whole new beagle.
    1. I wish I had this tip when we had our dog who shed like a demon! Thanks so much for sharing!
  3. L. Durham says:
    Wow what a great tip. I hate that smell and I always feel like my washer smells like it and it gets all over everything. Can't wait to try this!!
  4. This is a great tip. I have a sensitive nose to smells like that on clothes. It may not be noticeable to another else but I hate that I can smell it. And that smell happens after just leaving the clothes in there for a short time. Can't wait to try this tip!
  5. Does this clean the laundry or do you recommend washing them with regular detergent after?
  6. jrachelle says:
    Thank you for telling me how this works. I've read all over the internet to use vinegar but nowhere did i find this information. Also did not find how to use vinegar with a front loading washer until your blog. Thanks for posting solid information.
  7. Mary Bouwma says:
    I actually put ammonia in the bleach dispenser instead of bleach to take care of the mildew smell.
  8. you can also use lemon juice...added to your wash cycle...i've done this for many years..all with great success
  9. whsr if you gave s front load washer? Do I add the vinegar after they are wet?
    1. No you can actually put it in the liquid detergent holder after you pour in your detergent
  10. Brenda Jones says:
    Hi I am a former Tupperware Lady and was given this tip. If you want to keep you potatoes from growing eyes then put a fresh apple in them and voila no more eyes.
    1. Kelley Wilson says:
      That is a GREAT tip thanks Brenda!
  11. I might as well leave an entire bottle of vinegar in my laundry room for how often I leave wet clothes in the washer! Thank you!
    1. Kelley Wilson says:
      Ha Ha Ha, I actually do have a gallon size bottle in mine!
  12. Great tip. Will try this out. We get damp weather over here and that doesn't help in getting the towels dry. This just might do the trick. Thank you.

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