What to do if the clothes smell

Short answer: Wash it once more at forty degrees and dry it completely. If the smell stays, the problem is in the machine, and an empty cycle at ninety degrees solves it. Most odours come from either moisture or residue, and both can be removed.

Rewash and dry fully

An odour from wear usually goes with one extra wash. Wash at forty degrees with a normal dose of detergent and make sure the machine is not overloaded, so the water can get through. The key step comes afterwards: the garment must be completely dry before you put it away. That also goes for bamboo underwear for men.

Half-dry clothes smell again

Put clothes away damp and the smell returns within a day. Even slight moisture in a closed drawer gives bacteria the conditions they need. Feel the seams, waistbands and thick areas before folding, as they dry last. If in doubt, leave the garment hanging a few hours longer. See bamboo socks.

Clean the machine if the smell stays

If clothes still smell after a fresh wash, the problem lies in the machine, not the clothes. Over time a coating of detergent and grease builds up in the drum, seal and detergent drawer. Run the machine empty at ninety degrees without detergent to remove it. This matters most if you usually wash pieces like a bamboo hoodie for men at low temperatures.

Leave the door open

After every wash, moisture stays behind in the drum and rubber seal. Close the door straight away and the moisture has nowhere to go, which invites odour. Leave the door and detergent drawer ajar until the inside is dry. Wipe the seal with a cloth now and then.

Take clothes out straight away

Wet clothes left in the drum for hours soon start to smell, especially in summer or a warm room. Take clothes out as soon as the programme ends and hang them up at once. If they have sat too long, a short rinse before drying is the best fix.

Do not use too much detergent

It is tempting to add extra detergent when clothes smell. But too much leaves residue in the fabric and the machine, and that residue is exactly what bacteria feed on. Follow the dosage on the pack and use less if the machine is not full. Clothes come out clean, and the odour gets nothing new to feed on.

Air clothes between wears

Clothes worn only briefly do not always need a wash. Hang them to air instead of dropping them in a closed basket where moisture from the body lingers. They stay fresh longer that way. Underwear and socks that sit close all day should still be washed after each wear.

Storage in the wardrobe

Clothes in the wardrobe need a little air. Do not pack drawers and shelves completely full, and leave the wardrobe open now and then, especially in damp periods. Never put away clothes that feel even slightly cool, as that often means they are not fully dry. Then they stay fresh until you need them.

Frequently asked questions

What should you do if clothes smell after washing

Wash them again at forty degrees and dry them completely. If the smell stays, the problem is in the machine rather than the clothes.

How do you clean the washing machine

Run it empty at ninety degrees without detergent. That removes the coating of detergent and grease in the drum and seal that causes the smell.

Why do stored clothes smell

Because they were not fully dry. Even slight moisture in a closed drawer gives bacteria the conditions they need, and the smell appears quickly.