How To Get Smell Out of Clothes: Get Rid of Odor

You washed them. You dried them. So why do your clothes still smell like a locker room? It’s frustrating when your laundry routine fails, but persistent odors are usually a sign of trapped bacteria or residue.

Don’t worry; you don’t need to throw out your favorite shirt. whether it’s sweat, mildew, gasoline, or just a “sour” funk, we can fix it.

Here is exactly how to get smells out of clothes using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

Why Do My Clothes Still Smell After Washing?

It feels like a betrayal when clothes come out of the dryer smelling worse than when they went in. Usually, this happens because the water didn’t penetrate deep enough to kill the bacteria causing the odor. Common culprits include:

• Synthetic fabrics: Materials like polyester and spandex are magnets for oil and bacteria. They trap odors more aggressively than natural cotton.
• Body soil buildup: Dead skin cells and sebum can accumulate inside the fibers, acting as a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Detergent mistakes: Using too much detergent creates a sudsy layer that traps dirt against the fabric. using too little means the clothes don’t get clean.
• A dirty washer: If your machine has mold in the gasket or detergent drawer, it transfers that funk to your laundry.
• Overcrowding: If you stuff the machine more than ¾ full, there isn’t enough room for water to flush through the fabric.
• Temperature issues: Cold water is great for energy bills, but hot water (100, 140°F) is superior for melting oils and killing odor-causing bacteria.

How to Get Smells Out of Clothes

The smell isn’t permanent. You just need to break the bond between the odor molecules and the fabric. We have tested these methods on everything from gym socks to vintage sweaters.

Here are the best ways to tackle specific stenches.

Sweat Odor

Sweat itself doesn’t actually smell; the odor comes from bacteria on your skin breaking down the protein in sweat. To kill it, you need acid. We recommend distilled white vinegar.

1. Turn it inside out: The bacteria and oils are on the inside of the garment, so expose that side to the water.
2. The vinegar soak: Mix one part distilled white vinegar with four parts warm water. Submerge the clothes and let them soak for 30 minutes.
3. Wash hot: Check the care label and wash on the hottest setting allowed using a high-quality detergent.
4. Dry completely: Tumble dry if the fabric allows, or line dry in the sun for UV bacteria-killing benefits.

Body Odor

If vinegar isn’t cutting it for sharp body odors, try a paste. We like using aspirin and cream of tartar, but baking soda is also a powerhouse here.

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which helps break down alkaline compounds in sweat.

1. Make the paste: Crush three non-coated aspirin tablets into a cup of warm water. Add one tablespoon of cream of tartar.
2. Scrub: Use an old toothbrush to scrub this solution into the armpit areas of the shirt.
3. Sit and soak: Let it sit on the fabric for at least 30 minutes.
4. Wash: Launder as usual with hot water.

Foot Odor

Socks take a beating. If your socks are stiff or smelly after washing, they have trapped bacteria.

1. The pre-soak: Fill a basin with warm water and one cup of white vinegar. Soak the socks for 30 minutes to an hour.
2. Agitate: Wash the socks on a warm or hot cycle. Don’t wash socks alone; adding towels helps agitate the load and scrub the fabric clean.
3. Dry: High heat in the dryer helps kill remaining bacteria.

Musty Smells

“Musty” usually means mold spores or mildew. This happens when clothes sit in a damp pile or a dark closet for too long.

1. Hot wash: Put the musty clothes in the washer. Select the hottest temperature the fabric can tolerate.
2. Boost the cycle: Add one cup of Borax or baking soda directly to the drum. These alkalizing agents help kill mold spores.
3. Vinegar rinse: Add white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser to help rinse away the loosened spores.
4. Sun dry: This is crucial. UV rays from sunlight are natural disinfectants. Hang the clothes outside on a breezy day.

Mildew

If the smell is stronger than “musty” and leans toward “sour,” you likely have active mildew growth. You need enzymes and oxygen bleach.

1. Enzyme detergent: Use a bio-detergent that contains enzymes. We recommend Seventh Generation Ultra Concentrated Laundry Detergent.
2. Oxygen bleach boost: Add a scoop of oxygen bleach (like OxiClean) to the drum. Do not use chlorine bleach on colors.
3. Wash hot: Run the longest, hottest cycle allowed for the garment.
4. Inspect before drying: Give it the sniff test. If it still smells, do not dry it. The heat will bake the smell in. Repeat the wash if needed.

Perfume Smells

Thrifted clothes often come with the previous owner’s signature scent. Perfumes are oil-based and designed to cling to fibers, making them tough to remove.

1. Fresh air: Hang the item outside for 24 hours. Airflow is the first line of defense.
2. Baking soda soak: Fill a sink with warm water and mix in one cup of baking soda. Submerge the garment completely.
3. Wait: Let it soak overnight. Baking soda is excellent at absorbing oils.
4. Wash unscented: Wash with a fragrance-free detergent. Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to strip residue.

Smoke Odor

Smoke particles are tiny and sticky. You need to draw them out of the fibers.

1. Hot vinegar steam: If you can’t wash the item yet, hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam helps relax fibers and release the smoke.
2. The deep soak: Fill a tub with hot water, two cups of baking soda, and two cups of white vinegar. It will fizz; this is normal.
3. Submerge: Soak the clothes for at least four hours.
4. Wash: Launder on the hottest setting safe for the fabric.

Gasoline Smell

Safety Warning: Gasoline is highly flammable. Never put gas-soaked clothes in a clothes dryer; they can combust. Air dry only until the smell is 100% gone.

1. Air out first: Leave the clothes outside for 24 hours to let the volatile fumes evaporate.
2. Degrease: Apply a heavy-duty liquid detergent or dish soap directly to the stain. Scrub lightly and let it sit for 15 minutes.
3. Soak: Soak in cold water mixed with a cup of baking soda for several hours.
4. Ammonia method: For persistent odors, add one cup of household ammonia to the washer during a warm cycle. Caution: Never mix ammonia with bleach.
5. Line dry: Hang to dry outside.

How To Take Smell Out of Clothes Without Washing

Need to wear that shirt tonight but don’t have time for a load of laundry? You can refresh fabrics quickly with these tricks.

1. The “Theater” Trick (Vodka): Pour cheap, high-proof vodka into a spray bottle. Spray the garment lightly. The alcohol kills surface bacteria and dries odorless. This is a common trick used for costumes in theater productions.
2. Vinegar Spray: Mix water and white vinegar (1:1 ratio) in a spray bottle. You can add a few drops of essential oil (like lemon or lavender) to mask the vinegar scent until it evaporates. Mist the clothes and let them hang dry.
3. Sunlight: UV rays kill bacteria. Lay the item flat in direct sunlight for an hour.

Tips for Removing Stubborn Smells From Clothes

If you have washed the item three times and it still smells, it’s time for the heavy hitters.

• Laundry Stripping: This is a “deep clean” for clothes. Fill a bathtub with hot water, ¼ cup Borax, ¼ cup washing soda, and a scoop of powdered tide. Soak clean clothes for 4 hours until the water turns murky. Rinse and run a water-only cycle in the washer.
• Enzyme Cleaners: For organic smells (sweat, urine, vomit), standard soap isn’t enough. Use a dedicated enzyme cleaner like Out Pro Wash or a pet stain remover. The enzymes digest the bacteria causing the smell.
• Steam Cleaning: A handheld steamer injects superheated moisture into the fabric, killing bacteria instantly without damaging the fibers.
• The Freezer Method (Myth-Busting): You might hear people say to freeze your jeans to clean them. While this pauses bacterial growth, it doesn’t kill it. Once your body heat warms the fabric up, the smell will return. Stick to washing.

How to Prevent Odors in Clothing

Prevention is easier than the cure. A few tweaks to your routine can stop the stink before it starts.

• Don’t let damp clothes sit: This is the #1 cause of mildew. Transfer clothes to the dryer immediately. If you forget them for more than an hour, run a quick rinse cycle with vinegar.
• Clean your machine: Sanitize your washing machine monthly using a cleaner tablet or bleach cycle. Leave the door open between loads to let the drum dry out.
• Dry thoroughly: Damp clothes in a drawer will smell musty within days. Ensure waistbands and thick socks are 100% dry before folding.
• Use sachets: Place cedar balls or lavender sachets in your drawers to maintain freshness.
• Switch to breathable fabrics: If you struggle with body odor, wear cotton, linen, or bamboo. These release odors in the wash much better than polyester or rayon.

FAQs

Is It Okay To Soak Clothes in Vinegar Overnight?

Yes, it is generally safe to soak most fabrics in diluted vinegar overnight. However, avoid soaking delicate items like silk or acetate for long periods, as the acid can eventually weaken the fibers. Always rinse thoroughly after soaking.

How Do People Get Their Laundry to Smell So Good?

The secret is usually a combination of a clean washing machine, not overloading the drum, and using “scent boosters.” Many people also use wool dryer balls with essential oils, air dry their clothes in the breeze, and store garments with cedar or lavender sachets.

What Is the Best Laundry Detergent to Remove Odors?

We recommend detergents with enzymes. Top picks include Gain Flings for long-lasting scent, Puracy Natural for an eco-friendly enzymatic option, and Mrs. Meyer’s for plant-based odor fighting.

What Should You Not Mix With Vinegar?

Never mix vinegar with bleach (creates toxic chlorine gas) or hydrogen peroxide (creates corrosive peracetic acid). While mixing vinegar and baking soda is safe, it creates a fizzy reaction that can explode a sealed container, so only mix them in an open bowl or tub.

Why Do My Clothes Smell like Sour Milk?

A sour milk smell typically indicates a buildup of bacteria known as Micrococcus, or simply mildew caused by clothes staying damp too long. This often happens if clothes are left in the washer overnight or dried in a humid room without enough airflow.

Does Baking Soda or Vinegar Work Better for Smells?

It depends on the odor. Vinegar (acid) is better for alkaline odors like sweat and soap buildup. Baking soda (base) is better for acidic odors like vomit or environmental smoke. For general freshness, vinegar is usually the stronger option for laundry.