There's nothing worse than opening the washing machine only to discover that your clothes still smell after washing them. It can feel like a waste of laundry detergent and water.
If you feel like you've tried all of the reasons under the sun to prevent this from happening, but your clothes are still smelling after washing, you should read our guide below. We cover everything from what causes the smell, to how to get rid of it, as well as how to clean your washing machine.
Why do my clothes smell after washing them?
Leaving clothes in the machine for too long
Life can be busy and we've all forgotten to take the odd load of washing out of the machine, but if your clothes smell musty after washing on a regular basis, we recommend taking your laundry out as soon as possible.
If your damp clothes are left sitting there, mould and mildew will attach themselves to the fibres and build up unpleasant odours over time.
Try setting yourself a timer on your phone that will go off when the wash is done or purchase an alarm clock to alert you if your machine isn't loud enough.
There's a build-up of bacteria
Dark, damp conditions combined with dirt and excess laundry detergent make a breeding ground for bacteria. Sometimes you can see the build-up, but other times it may be hiding inside the walls.
Whether you have mould or not, it's important to thoroughly clean your washing machine inside and out every month or so to prevent a build-up of bacteria.
Other objects inside the machine
If your clothes smell burnt after washing, it could be because there are small foreign items stuck inside the machine that shouldn't be there, such as bits of tissue from a cardigan pocket or a little toy that young children may have sneakily thrown in without you noticing.
How to stop clothes smelling musty after washing
Clean your washing machine
No matter whether your clothes smell musty after washing, or they smell fresh, you still need to give your washing machine a proper deep clean every once in a while. After all, we know that mould can lurk in hidden places!
There are many ways to clean your machine. One way to do it is to put a washing machine tablet into the drum and turn the settings onto a hot wash and a normal load without any clothes in it.
White vinegar is also an excellent cleaning solution, particularly if there's mould. You can either spray it directly onto the door and drum, leave it for a few minutes and then gently scrub it with a cleaning brush, or you can pour some directly into the detergent drawer.
If you have no vinegar to hand, Currys suggests sprinkling soda crystals (or baking soda) into the drum on a hot setting.
Make sure clothes are air-dried before washing them
Whether you've been to the gym or run to catch the last bus, your clothes may be a bit sweaty. To prevent your clothes from smelling like B.O after washing them, make sure that the patches have dried out before you put them into the laundry basket, otherwise, the dampness could affect the other clothes.
Try a different cycle
You may find that some stubborn odours may linger on your clothes long after a stint in the washing machine. Too short a cycle could be the culprit for this, so try lengthening the cycle or using a hot wash to kill bacteria.
How to remove bad smells from clothes after washing
If you don't have the time or money to rewash your clothes, there are still ways to get rid of lurking odours.
Thoroughly dry your clothes
Putting away damp clothes is almost as bad as leaving them to sit in the machine, so it's important to ensure that your clothes are completely dry before you fold them into piles. A washing line will do the trick, but if it's damp outside or you don't have enough outdoor space, a heated clothes airer will work just as well.
Assess your laundry detergent
You may actually find that you don't like the smell of your laundry detergent, or you may not be using enough of it. Check the instructions or do some research to find an alternative. If your clothes are still not smelling fresh after washing, it's probably time to switch to a different brand.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.