White vinegar Borax Baking soda
It’s best to use hot water to ensure the mold spores get killed. If you’re washing clothing that can’t be washed in hot water, try using cold water instead. You may have to wash the clothes more than once to get rid of the smell.
Each of these items has properties that help to kill mold spores and remove bad smells. If the clothes are particularly musty, you can use baking soda and vinegar together. If you aren’t able to pour the product straight into the water, mix it with a cup of hot water and use the liquid detergent dispenser.
If it’s raining outside, you’ll need to use your dryer instead. This isn’t ideal, since the dryer is an enclosed space that doesn’t allow fresh air to flow through your clothes. If your clothes come out of the dryer still smelling musty, wait for a sunny day to wash them and dry them outside.
In most cases you’ll mix a capful of the no-rinse wash with several liters of water. Pour it into a spray bottle. Spray your musty garment so that all parts of it are slightly damp. Hang the garment to dry outside in the sun and wind. When it dries, the smell should be gone. If it still smells musty, repeat the process. Note that this does require wetting the fabric. Don’t use this method on items that shouldn’t get wet, like leather or suede.
Lay the garment on a clean surface. Sprinkle it all over with a fine layer of baking soda. Turn it over and do the same. If you don’t wish to put baking soda directly on the item try placing the item in a plastic bag next to an open container of baking soda. Let the baking soda sit on the garment overnight. Take it outside and shake it well. Use a soft brush to remove excess baking soda. Hang it outside for the rest of the day.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. You need enough water to thoroughly saturate the garment you’re treating. Place the garment in a separate large pot. Pour the boiling water over it, making sure it gets fully soaked. Let it sit for five minutes. Wring out the water. If it’s still very hot, you may want to wear rubber gloves. Wash the garment as usual in the washer. Dry it outside in the sun.
In a large bucket, mix up a solution with half a cup of bleach and a gallon of water. Place the musty clothes in the bleach solution. Wash the clothes in your washing machine with detergent, as normal. Dry them outside in the sun.
Never mix bleach with ammonia. It creates a gas that can cause lung damage if breathed. [8] X Research source Handle ammonia with care. You may want to wear clothes to prevent it from getting on your skin. If you breathe in ammonia, leave the area to get fresh air. Call poison control if you feel light-headed. [9] X Research source
