Simple ways to get rid of the smell of dampness and mold on clothes

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Everyone needs to know how to get rid of the smell of dampness and mold on clothes. This problem is especially common in private homes, in rooms with high humidity, and in closets with things. In order to prevent the appearance of odors, it is necessary to follow the rules for storing textiles.

Where does the smell come from?

The smell of dampness and mold forms on things that have not been properly cared for. Three possible causes of the problem:

• lack of drying outerwear after a walk in damp or snowy weather;
• storing undried items after washing;
• presence of debris or food debris in pockets;
• high indoor humidity;
• lack of ventilation.

The appearance of a damp and moldy smell from completely dried, clean items is considered rare. This applies to clothes, shoes, bed linen, towels, blankets and other textiles.

Why do clothes smell damp?

The main reason for the unpleasant odor is the high humidity of the room in which things are stored. You cannot hide clothes in the wardrobe before they have time to dry completely. It still contains moisture, which after closing (in a closet, in a drawer) causes the formation of mold on the fibers and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. It is best to dry clothes in a room with free air flow.

The problem could also be in the washing machine. It's best to make sure all containers are clean. If not, rinse them thoroughly and dry. We must not forget about rubber gaskets. Dirt around them can also cause your clothes to smell bad. Another reason may be untimely unloading of laundry from the machine drum. After lying in it all night, in the morning your clothes will not smell like your favorite fabric softener.

The use of folk remedies

Using products that are always available at home, you can easily remove the smell of mold and dampness from clothes. When using traditional methods, you should first test their effect on a small area of ​​​​linen, and then carry out a complete cleaning.

Types of products for cleaning mold and dampness of certain types of fabrics:

To prevent mold and the smell of dampness, you can place bags of salt and rice in the closet - they will absorb excess moisture and eliminate strong aromas.

Salt

Absorbs odors well, removes dirt, and helps remove damp odors from clothes. To do this, you need to dilute 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of ammonia in a liter of water. Boil the mixture for half an hour. The prepared solution is applied to the dirt for 30-60 minutes. After this soaking, the item is washed as usual.

Soda

Baking soda is good at eliminating the smell of mold and dampness.
It can be added to regular washing powder in the amount of 1 tablespoon per machine wash. When cleaning delicate or brightly colored fabrics, the water should be no more than 40 degrees. Higher temperatures are suitable for bleaching items. When washing by hand, 1 tablespoon of the substance per 10 liters of water is enough. Baking soda is used to remove small stains. To do this, the soda slurry obtained by mixing with water is applied to the stain, left for 15-30 minutes, after which the clothes are washed as usual.

Lemon acid

It will help to whiten, remove stains and remove the smell of mold from clothes at home. To do this, citric acid must be mixed with vinegar and applied to the areas required for cleaning. To give the fabric a fresher look and whiten, 1 tablespoon of citric acid is added to the drum of the washing machine.

Ascorbic acid

Used together with alcohol - a teaspoon of acid must be dissolved in 50 ml. The resulting solution is applied with a cloth or cotton pad to dirt or mold. Clothes should be allowed to sit for 30-60 minutes and then washed.

Potato starch

In order to remove the smell of dampness from clothes, starch is suitable only in dry form. To do this, you need to scatter it over your laundry, leave it for several hours, then shake it out thoroughly. Potato starch can be stored in fabric bags in cabinets to absorb moisture and prevent mold.

Ground coffee

Apply the coffee grounds to dirty stains and leave for several hours until completely dry. Brush off any remaining residue, then wash the clothes. This method removes not only dirt, but also strong unpleasant odors.

Ammonia and ammonia

Helps eliminate mold and damp smell from clothes. For this, a solution of ammonia is used, prepared at the rate of 10 ml of the substance per 1 liter of water. Things should be soaked in the product for 5-15 minutes, then washed as usual.

Vodka and alcohol

Refreshes clothes and gets rid of stench. Vodka is added to water in a volume of 2 tablespoons per 70-100 ml of water. The mixture is poured into a spray bottle, the item is sprayed with it, and then allowed to sit for 20-30 minutes. After time, the items are washed with regular powder.

Hydrogen peroxide

Used against dampness only for light and white fabrics, as it has strong bleaching properties. Dilute peroxide with a concentration of 3% in water in a ratio of 1:2, apply to a sponge or cloth, treat dirty places and areas with mold. Let the clothes sit for 10-15 minutes, then wash.

Turpentine

Copes well with dampness, fungi and mold. Using a cotton pad or sponge soaked in turpentine, treat all necessary areas of the fabric, then wash. In order to get rid of the smell of the substance, it is recommended to use scented powder or fabric softener. Another option is possible - at least 2-3 rinses of treated clothing.

Clay

Helps remove damp odors from clothes, refreshing them. White clay is ideal for this purpose. Sprinkle its powder on areas that smell of dampness and mold, place heat-resistant paper or foil on top and iron it with an iron. Treated clothing is washed as usual.

Clay is also suitable for preventing mold and dampness. To do this, things need to be periodically processed in the above manner or rag bags with clay should be placed in cabinets.

Borax

Borax is sold at the pharmacy and costs about 50 rubles. To remove the smell of dampness and mold from clothes, 2 tablespoons of the substance along with washing powder are diluted in 10 liters of water for soaking things. After two hours, do a normal wash.

Onion

Regular onions have antibacterial properties and can eliminate unpleasant odors, traces of dampness and mold. To do this you will need onion juice or vegetable pulp. The resulting liquid should be applied to dirty spots and left until completely dry. After the procedure, clothes are washed in a machine at a temperature of 40 degrees.

Sour milk

Kefir, fermented baked milk and other fermented milk products are good at removing the smell of mold and dampness. To clean, you need to dilute them with a small amount of water and soak the clothes. This method is best suited for white and light-colored fabrics, since sour milk has a bleaching effect. After soaking, wash items as usual.

Household chemicals

The easiest way to get rid of the smell of dampness and mold on clothes at home is by using household chemicals. The following tools are suitable for this:

1. Bleach. Ideal for adding freshness to white items. Eliminates odors of mold and dampness from clothes, prevents the formation of fungus.
2. Stain remover. Suitable for removing heavy stains on any fabric.
3. Antifungal agents Valo, Prosept, Element. Sold in specialized departments or online stores. Designed to combat mold and other types of organic tissue damage.
4. Conditioner or rinse aid. Gives laundry a pleasant aroma and helps remove the smell of dampness from clothes when washing.

Along with any type of detergent, washing powder is used to eliminate mold and traces of dampness. It is selected depending on the type of fabric, but when washing with additional substances it is added in smaller volumes.

Washing cotton, calico and linen from odor

Bed linen and other home textiles are usually made from such materials. It is more susceptible to damp and musty odors due to the fact that it is not used as regularly as everyday clothing.

Additional folk remedies for washing calico, linen and cotton:

• salt - added to the powder in a ratio of 1:3 or applied to the dirt in the form of a slurry;
• onions - its juice is added to the basin when soaking;
• fermented milk products - diluted with water 1:1 for soaking fabrics.

To prevent the formation of dampness and mold in closets, used bed linen should be washed with special household chemicals or folk remedies that eliminate odor.

Some features

Let's look at popular types of towels and their “relationship” with unpleasant odors.

Linen, cotton fabrics

As you know, any natural base (naturally, one that does not produce antiseptic substances) is an excellent base for the proliferation of microorganisms. Therefore, let’s destroy the myth that linen towels do not smell.

Both cotton and linen need proper care, regular washing and proper drying, so that products made from these materials do not begin to emit an unpleasant odor.

Bamboo towels

Manufacturers of this textile report that bamboo fiber produces a fairly strong antiseptic, which prevents the proliferation of microorganisms (in particular, mold), and, as a result, the formation of an unpleasant odor. Because of this, bamboo towels, the price of which stands out compared to the cost of their “brothers,” are considered the most hygienic.

An unpleasant odor can also haunt bamboo.

But is it? Many housewives note that over time, even such products begin to smell unpleasantly. What's the matter? We can imagine two options:

• There are very few pure bamboo products on the market. Basically it is a combination with cotton (5/5, 6/4). Perhaps a non-100% concentration weakens the antiseptic effect.
• As we know, medicinal herbs do not retain their healing properties forever. The maximum period is 5 years. The same can be observed with respect to the plant component - bamboo. It is possible that over time the concentration of released antiseptic substances decreases.

Dry cleaning

Sometimes dry cleaning is all you need to get rid of the musty smell from your clothes. This will help if there is no visible contamination. Possible types:

Dry cleaning products, with the exception of dry cleaning, are suitable for adding freshness to laundry or when a full wash is not possible. They can also be used to prevent the formation of mold and dampness in clothes that have not been used for a long time and are stored in a closet.

Regarding bathroom accessories

Everyone knows that the bathroom is a room with high humidity. Therefore, bathroom accessories, in particular bathrobes, towels and rugs, are saturated with moisture and retain its persistent odor.

These household items require special attention:

Fuzzy items or terry fabrics need to be dried well in the open air rather than left on a hanger in the shower;

• Before traditional washing, pre-soak such items in a cool vinegar solution and set the additional rinse mode;
• It is recommended to wash such items separately from the rest, and replace the conditioner with vinegar.

For order – prevention is important!

To avoid taking the situation to extremes, follow the basic rules for using the washing machine:

• After each wash cycle, wipe the rubber fittings and loading compartments with a dry cloth;
• If possible, keep the drum door ajar;
• Do not leave clothes for a long time after washing and do not store contaminated items, but load them immediately before washing;
• Use household chemicals in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions indicated on the packaging of such products;
• For preventive purposes, turn on water hardness softeners, which can clog holes and hoses, where deposits form and pockets of pathogens appear;
• Do not mask the problem with intensive use of air conditioners;
• Periodically clean the inside of the washing machine and run the machine idle once every 2 months;
• Organize appropriate conditions for fresh air circulation in the room where such equipment is installed.

RESULT

As practice shows, unpleasant odors on clothes can appear due to a difficult situation inside the washing machine.

Moreover, these troubles most often arise from improper operation of household appliances or irrational use of chemicals.

Having eradicated the problem and solved the issue of the unbearable aroma once, do not forget in the future about prevention when working with the washing machine.

Cleaning fur coats

Folk remedies are also suitable for removing the smell of dampness and mold from a fur coat. Cleaning is carried out only using the dry method, while the product should hang on a hanger. Possible methods:

1. Ammonia. Dilute 2 teaspoons of the product in 1 liter of water. Moisten the brush in the resulting solution and treat the product with it, avoiding getting it too wet.
2. Laundry soap. Grate the block and mix with hot water until foam is obtained. Apply to the front of the fur coat, then wipe with ammonia solution.
3. Vodka and alcohol. Dilute with water in a 1:1 ratio and spray onto the fur from a spray bottle. For ventilation, hang it outside for 1-2 days.

It is recommended to take fur coats and other fur products to specialized dry cleaners. This will prevent possible damage if washing is carried out incorrectly.

Prevention of odors

To keep your clothes from smelling damp and moldy, you need to take proper care of them. It is recommended to do the following:

• put only completely dried items in the closet;
• ventilate the rooms 1-3 times a day for 15 minutes;
• wash clothes with baking soda every two weeks.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the furniture and the things lying in it. Storage rules that help get rid of the smell of dampness and mold in the closet with clothes;

• regularly sort through shelves with things for ventilation;
• wipe the inside of the cabinet using household chemicals or other disinfectants;
• store towels, bed linen, clean and regularly used clothing separately;
• ironing clean items before putting them in the closet;
• washing seasonal clothes before long-term storage.

Sometimes the shelves in the closet begin to rot from old age. They should be replaced with new ones, otherwise the fabrics will absorb this smell or may also be affected by rotting processes.

To prevent things from smelling damp and moldy, they need to be properly cared for. If your clothes have already begun to smell unpleasant, then to eliminate this problem you can resort to folk remedies or household chemicals. Storing items for a long time in a damp place can lead to their damage.

Proper drying

Wash towels when dirty. Even if they look clean, after several times of use it will become noticeable that particles of gels, shampoos, dirt and sebum settle on them, which are a favorable environment for bacteria. Therefore, wash your clothes at least once a week.

To extend the life of bath and kitchen towels and spend as little effort as possible on removing unpleasant odors from them, try to dry your laundry correctly:

• Do not store damp used towels. Wash them immediately, and if it is not possible to do this, dry them well, otherwise not only the bath accessories, but also all the things in the laundry basket will smell unpleasant later.
• Do not dry towels in the bathroom. The best place for drying clothes is the street or balcony - after them the laundry will be provided with a pleasant aroma. During the cold season, dry items on a heated towel rail in one layer.

Washed towels must be dried during the day, otherwise a musty smell is inevitable - this is especially important for thick bath accessories