Why Do My Clothes Smell After Washing
Doing laundry is already a task most of us just want to finish quickly. Nobody wants to pull their clothes out of the washing machine and get hit by a bad smell. Yet, 68% of people who dread doing laundry already find it a frustrating chore; smelly results make it even worse.
So if you’ve been concerned about why your clothes smell after washing, you’re not alone. There are some simple reasons this happens, and they’re easy to fix. If you’d rather hand the job off altogether, the benefits of an online laundry service make it a great option. But if you want to sort it out yourself at home, this blog has everything you need.
Quick Answer: When wet laundry is left sitting in the washing machine for too long, mould and mildew build up. This causes the clothes to smell even after washing. It can also happen if you’re using too much or too little detergent, washing at too low a temperature, overloading the machine, or simply because the drum itself needs a good clean. But you can fix the smell once you know what to look for.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide: What Could Be Causing the Smell?
Not all laundry smells come from the same place. This table can help you spot what might be going on based on when the smell appears.
| When the Smell Appears | What to Check | What to Do Next |
| Immediately after washing | Could be a dirty drum, too much or too little detergent, or a low wash temperature | Run a drum cleaning cycle, adjust detergent amount, and try a warmer wash setting |
| After clothes are left in the drum | Could be mould or mildew starting to form from damp sitting too long | Re-wash straight away and remove clothes as soon as the cycle finishes |
| After slow indoor drying | Could be poor air circulation or a damp environment slowing drying time | Dry near an open window, use a fan, or tumble dry if the fabric allows |
| Odour affecting only certain garments | Could be fabric type, stubborn stains, or the item needing a different wash treatment | Check the care label and consider pre-soaking or a specialist wash cycle |
What Are the Reasons That Clothes Sometimes Smell After Washing?
There is no denying that our clothing has to deal with a lot thanks to our busy lives. From sweaty gym gear to paint-stained children’s garments, we expect lots from our clothing. The average Brit will do 13,000 laundry loads in their lifetime, but thanks to smells left after washing, this amount can be doubled.
Whether you are a beginner just starting to do laundry or a seasoned pro, understanding why your laundry smells can help you tackle the problem before it gets worse:
Leaving Clothes In The Machine
One of the main reasons for clothes having an unwanted odour after washing is because they are not removed from the machine quickly enough. Sometimes, life takes over, or you simply forget to empty the drum after the spin has finished. However, this should be a bad habit you need to change. Bacteria and mildew can quickly grow when damp items are left. This is made even worse if you leave items overnight, as nasty smells and bacteria love cold and dark conditions for thriving in.
To resolve this, it’s always best to set a timer on your phone so that you are alerted to the end of a cycle. Items should always be either treated in the dryer or hung on an airer/clothing line as soon as possible to let the air start drying them.
Not Using The Right Amount of Detergent
A common misconception with laundry is that the more detergent and cleaning solutions, the better. However, you could be in for a nasty surprise post-wash if you think this is the case; with laundry, more is not always best.
The balance of detergent and water should be perfectly aligned so that items can benefit from a deep clean and a thorough rinse. If there is too much soap on the items, a residue will likely be left behind, and the original odour is unlikely to be removed.
Always pay attention to the washing instructions on the clothing tag to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. You should also read the guided usage of cleaning detergents to ensure the optimal amount is used, as all products differ. Finally, ensure items are sorted correctly, as different fabrics will need alternative treatments for a deep clean.
Cramming the Machine Full
We know it can be tempting to put entire loads, and then some, into the machine to lessen the task of laundry. But this does not pay off. Instead of a clean laundry load that takes half the time, you can double the task, as items must be rewashed.
The cycle will not work as intended if too many items are in the machine. Instead, items will be crammed together, some getting a nice rinse and others just becoming damp with no cleaning.
To eliminate this, try spreading the task of laundry out across the week so there is no rush to get it all done at once.
Not Regularly Cleaning The Machine
Did you know that a washing machine should be deep cleaned every three to six months? A ‘run service wash’ should also be carried out at least once a month to ensure your machine is gleaming. After all, how can you expect equipment to clean your clothing if it is dirty?
If your washing machine is dirty, this will transfer onto clothing, leaving odours and stains. Also, it will not clean items properly, meaning that the original cleaning woes remain.
Not regularly cleaning your machine can lead to mould and detergent buildup. Find out more in our full guide on why your washing machine may not be washing properly.
How Does Love2Laundry Resolve the Problem of Bad Smelling Clothing?
Is there a laundry app that can eliminate the issue of smelly clothing for me? Yes, there is!
Love2Laundry uses only state-of-the-art technology and processes, meaning that you never need to worry about clothing being returned smelly after our team has treated it. Instead, items will be fresh and odour-free and much more resilient against future smells thanks to the thorough cleaning.
As well as following all of the tips outlined above for domestic laundry, our team also offers a mix of washing and dry cleaning to ensure each garment is treated in the best way possible. All items also go through stringent quality control post-washing, as we only send items back in perfect condition. If we notice an odour has remained, which is very rare thanks to our professional washing, we will treat it again.
How Can You Treat Clothes That Smell Bad?
Now that you know why your clothing and other laundry have a bad smell even after a laundry cycle, let’s chat about how you can resolve it!
- Re-wash the item again quickly: If your clothes come out of the wash still smelling, give them another wash as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the harder the odour can be to eliminate.
- Choose a professional laundry service: For persistent odours or items that need specialist care, a service like Love2Laundry can help where regular home washing falls short. Results depend on the fabric and the odour, but it’s worth considering for stubborn cases.
- Use white vinegar to treat tough odours: If a smell still lingers after a re-wash, soak the item in a simple solution of white vinegar and water. Always check the care label to make sure the fabric can handle it, then run a regular wash afterwards to remove any remaining smell.
How Does Love2Laundry Resolve the Problem of Bad-Smelling Clothing?
Is there a laundry app that can eliminate the issue of smelly clothing for me? Yes, there is!
Love2Laundry uses only state-of-the-art technology and processes, meaning that you never need to worry about clothing being returned smelly after our team has treated it. Instead, items will be fresh and odour-free and much more resilient against future smells thanks to the thorough cleaning.
As well as following all of the tips outlined above for domestic laundry, our team also offers a mix of washing and dry cleaning to ensure each garment is treated in the best way possible. All items also go through stringent quality control post-washing, as we only send items back in their original condition. If we notice an odour has remained, which is very rare thanks to our professional washing, we will treat it again.
How Does Love2Laundry Work?
If you are still wanting to know what an online laundry service is, we can confirm it is a mobile way to get your laundry completed. Simply book in your laundry online and have it collected plus delivered back to you in a ready-to-wear state. While laundry services will differ, the way that you can use the Love2Laundry app is simple.
- Visit our website or download our app.
- Choose the service you require, which is easy thanks to our dropdown, pre-populated menu.
- You must choose a collection and delivery address, plus a time/date when booking. Not all apps pick up laundry, but that is what our service is founded upon, as we are here to make your life easier. The collection and return details can also differ depending on your schedule, so just check your diary and let us know how we can help you.
- Our team then performs a detailed service, including sorting items and treating individual smells or stains.
- A finishing service is also offered to ensure clothing is ready to wear and household fabrics are ready to use.
- Our team then returns your items in perfect condition.
Whether you eliminate the chance of clothing smelling at home or outsource the task to professionals, you will find things much easier being armed with the knowledge we have shared. After all, washing is not always a fun task the first time, so why make yourself do it again?
To learn more about our services, contact our team.
FAQs
Why do my clothes smell musty even after washing?
The foul smell is likely to occur when there are wet clothes in the washing machine after completion of the cycle. Since bacteria love cold and dark places, ensure that you take out and dry the clothes immediately after completing the wash cycle.
Can using too much detergent cause clothes to smell?
Yes, too much detergent results in soapy stains on the fabric, which end up trapping odour instead of eliminating it. It is essential that you always adhere to the recommended amounts of detergent from the instructions in the packaging.
How frequently should you deep clean your washing machine?
It is recommended that you do a deep clean of your washing machine every three to six months, and perform a service wash once a month. The dirtiness of the machine causes it to transfer bacteria and smells to the clothes.
Does white vinegar actually get rid of clothing odours?
White vinegar can help reduce persistent clothing odours when used as a soaking solution mixed with water. It doesn’t work for every fabric or every type of smell, so always check the care label first before soaking. Run a normal wash afterwards to clear any vinegar residue.
