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Stop laundry from smelling musty by adding 1 common kitchen ingredient to the wash
Reach Daily Express | November 16, 2025 5:39 PM CST

Clean laundry can develop an unpleasant odour after being hung to dry on a clothes horse. If you do not have the availability (or funds) to run a tumble dryer, then air-drying is the only option. But if the clothes begin to smell musty, you may start to question why you're washing them at all.

Instead of feeling irritated, clothes expert Nicola Barker, Head of Buying at Suit Direct, revealed to Express.co.uk a simple tip to prevent the offensive smell. "Add half a cup of white vinegar to your rinse cycle," Barker advised. "This natural deodoriser can help prevent musty smells from developing during the drying process.

"And the vinegar scent naturally disappears as clothes dry, leaving them smelling fresh and odour-free."

It's important to "avoid overcrowding your clothes horse to allow each item to dry fully".

Barker added: "Consider placing it near a good dehumidifier, which will draw excess moisture from the air.

"It will also help to remove any musty smells, commonly found in damp and humid spaces."

While you might be tempted to put away partially damp clothes, Barker strongly advises against it.

"If there's even a hint of dampness or that musty smell, your clothing isn't fully dry. Storing partially damp clothes is the fastest way to develop mould and persistent odours that are difficult to remove."

Barker also cautioned against placing cloths on radiators around the house.

"While it might seem like a quick way to get laundry dry, it can increase the amount of moisture in the air, which can cause damp and mould," she explained.


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