Clothes that smell after washing

Short answer: If clothes still smell after washing, the problem usually lies in the machine or the drying, not in the clothes themselves. Both can be sorted in a day, without buying anything new.

The machine can be the source

A machine that has not run hot for a long time smells by itself, and the smell settles in everything washed in it, from socks to jumpers, see bamboo socks. Run an empty programme at ninety degrees with no clothes. It clears much of what has built up in the drum and hoses.

The rubber seal and the drawer

After the hot programme, wipe the rubber seal around the door with a cloth. Water, lint and detergent residue collect there and begin to smell after a few weeks. Pull out the detergent drawer and rinse it under the tap too. Leave the door and drawer open between washes so the machine can dry inside.

Too much detergent

It is tempting to add a little extra when clothes smell. But detergent residue binds odour in the fabric instead of removing it. Use the amount on the pack for your load and your water. If in doubt, a little too little is better than too much, see bamboo T-shirts for men.

Laundry left wet for too long

If the washing sits in the machine for hours, that is where the smell starts. Wet clothes in a closed drum are the perfect place for the musty smell many people know. Hang them up as soon as the programme ends. Set a reminder on your phone if you wash in the evening, see bamboo underwear for men.

Dry with air around it

Clothes dry best with plenty of air around them. If pieces hang too close on the rack, or dry in a cold, damp room, it takes a long time and the smell can develop. Give each piece space, turn thick items halfway and air the room. An open window often helps more than you would think.

Do not overload the machine

In a full drum, water and detergent have no room to move around the clothes. Some of it is not rinsed properly, and the smell stays. There should be room for a hand held upright on top of the laundry in the drum. It also means fewer creases and shorter drying.

Air clothes between wears

Not everything needs washing after every wear. A jumper worn for a few hours often benefits more from airing overnight than from another wash. It spares both machine and fabric. Underwear and socks should always be washed after wearing, though, as they sit directly on the skin all day.

When the smell will not leave

If you have done all this and something still smells, wash it again at the temperature the care label allows, and dry it straight away. Check whether the smell is only in certain pieces. If so, they may have sat in the laundry basket for a long time, and it is the basket that needs airing.

Frequently asked questions

Why do clothes smell after washing

Usually because the machine itself smells, because too much detergent was used, or because the clothes sat wet for too long after the programme.

How do you clean the machine

Run an empty programme at ninety degrees with no clothes. Then wipe the rubber seal, rinse the drawer and leave the door open.

Does more detergent help

No, it makes it worse. Detergent residue in the fabric binds odour instead of removing it, so stick to the amount on the pack.