How to get rid of the smell of dampness on clothes

The smell of dampness on clothes is a fairly common and unpleasant phenomenon. This feature is due to the fact that the laundry is too long in the machine after washing. There are frequent cases when the room for drying things is poorly ventilated, as a result of which bacteria develop in the fibers of the fabric, and mold appears. Get rid of the musty smell is quite difficult if you do not use home remedies. Consider effective ways in order and highlight the main aspects.

Practical recommendations

1. To prevent mold spores from accumulating in the fabric fibers, provoking the appearance of damp smell, dry the clothes completely. Optionally, you can use the iron included on the maximum mark, it will help kill the bacteria.
2. Especially difficult is drying clothes in the offseason. During this period, central heating does not work, so things stay wet for a long period.In such situations (spring, autumn) it is necessary to use a “breeze” heater, directing the air flow to the products. In addition to quick-drying heater will relieve the room from excessive moisture.
3. After washing, the laundry needs to be pulled out of the machine as soon as possible, otherwise it will start to "go out". In cases where, for certain reasons, you do not have time to hang out things, be sure to open the door of the household appliance. Such a move will improve air circulation, preventing mold spores.
4. Take the habit of wiping the rubber seals, the door and the cavity of the drum with a dry cloth after each wash. Do not forget to wash the compartments for washing powder and rinse, often they spread the mold.
5. At the end of the wash, hang the clothes to dry properly. Straighten wrinkles and bends, ensure sufficient air circulation between the products. Dry things in a well-ventilated area without excessive moisture. If possible, give preference to a balcony or loggia. Ideal for drying - frost, wind or scorching sun.
6. In the winter season, install the dryer near the radiators.If possible, get an electric dryer for laundry, which will carry out the procedure many times faster. If your machine is equipped with a drying function, use it.
7. In most cases, a musty smell on clothes appears as a result of neglecting the care of a washing machine. Inspect seals and drum. If you notice an accumulation of dirt or mold (black spots), remove them with a chlorine-containing agent. After that, set the mode “Double rinse” to remove the remnants of the drug.
8. Keep an eye on the closet where clothes are stored. It must be dry inside. Periodically take out things to dry if you notice moisture accumulation on the far walls. To eliminate the possibility of mold, treat the shelves once a month with medical alcohol or vodka. Use special bags of granules that absorb moisture and odor.
9. Do not store clean underwear with previously worn items. If you steam and iron things before you store them, do not forget to dry the products. Very often traces of moisture remain on the laundry, which contribute to the development of mold.
10. To mute the stale smell, use grandma's methods.Dry the orange, grapefruit or lemon zest in the oven, put the peel in a linen bag, place it inside the cabinet. At will it is possible to stack "sachet" in the folds of clothes. Citrus fruits zest is sometimes replaced with dry lavender, ginseng, rosemary, etc.

Proper drying and ironing

1. If the smell of dampness appears slightly, you can remove it by drying in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet will kill the spores that have appeared in the fibers of the fabric. Well, if the drying will be carried out in the wind, such a move will increase the chances of success by 2 times.
2. If your goal is to eliminate the musty smell of linen and cotton products, try ironing things with an iron without steaming. Set the maximum temperature, because the listed types of fabrics easily tolerate heat treatment. After ironing, allow things to lie down and cool completely, then send them to the cabinet for long-term storage.
3. Delicate products must be washed by hand or gently, designed specifically for these types of fabrics. Do not use harsh products with chlorine content; they corrode fibers and do not completely eliminate odor. Iron the products through gauze until completely dried.During steaming, pour filtered water into the iron, not running water.

Ways to eliminate the smell of dampness

To remove mold spores, sodium borate powder (commonly called “borax”), vinegar, medical alcohol, and baking soda are used. Consider the processing technology in order, we highlight the main aspects.

1. Drinking soda. To remove a musty smell, put clothes in a washing machine, add powder to the first compartment, soda in the second (at the rate of 70 grams of product per 1 kg of clothing). Start an intensive wash cycle, after turning off the timer, add air conditioning and turn on the double rinse. Dry things in direct sunlight, preferably in the wind.
2. Table vinegar. To prepare the composition you will need table vinegar concentration of 5-9%. Dilute 150 ml. product 2.5 liters. warm water, soak the clothes for 1 hour, then perform a hand wash, squeeze out thoroughly. Optionally, you can pour vinegar into the compartment for rinse when washing in a household typewriter. The main thing is to dilute it with water in a ratio of 1: 1.
3. Vodka or alcohol. If the smell appeared on outerwear, a terry towel or a tight rug, use this recommendation.Type in a spray medical alcohol, diluting it with water 1: 1. Sprinkle the surface of the product, then hang it in the open air to dry thoroughly. If there is no alcohol, use vodka without diluting it with water. In cases where the processing of jackets or coats, it is better to use a weak solution of ammonia, spraying it on the surface of the product.
4. "Bura". Get in the hardware store sodium borate, take 40 grams. product and dilute it in 1.5 liters. water. Send things in a basin with a solution, cover the container with food film, leave for 3.5 hours. After that, wash the item in the machine to bring all the borax powder out of the fabric fibers. Dry in fresh air or radiators.
5. Flavors. In the economic departments a special semi-transparent aromatic water is sold by the supermarket. As a rule, the product is made on the basis of medicinal herbs and perfectly eliminates the smell of damp. The technology of use is quite simple: pour water into the compartment for the air conditioner, start the usual wash cycle.

To prevent stale odors and get rid of mold spores, use practical tips on caring for your products.Consider the recipes of folk remedies based on borax, ammonia, vodka, vinegar and soda.