EBN- There are easy ways to remove bad odors from clothes, resulting from long-term storage, including using baking soda or lemon juice.
In the following lines, explanations of the simple detergents that help eliminate unpleasant odors stuck to your clothes, in addition to washing them in the washing machine, with the highest temperature setting, as hot water kills any mold or fungi germs.
How do I get rid of the smell stuck in clothes?
There are natural cleaners that neutralize odors and eliminate mold spores in clothes whose fabrics can withstand washing in the washing machine, including distilled white vinegar, baking soda, or borax. In this context, pour a cup of the chosen detergent into the washing machine after adding a load of laundry.
For a front-loading washing machine, pour vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser before starting the washing machine. If using baking soda or borax, sprinkle it directly on the clothes before starting the washing machine.
Note that the aforementioned cleaners are also safe for delicate fabrics, unlike bleach. If your clothes smell very bad, double the amount of detergent.
Then, dry the clothes on a clothesline or drying rack in an outdoor area exposed to sunlight and plenty of airflow. The sun’s ultraviolet rays help kill any remaining mold or spores, while the air adds a fresh scent to your clothes. For dry cleaning, sprinkle baking soda on each item after placing it in a sealed plastic bag overnight. Baking soda will absorb any musty or unpleasant odors on your clothes even when they are dry. After the aforementioned time has passed, hang the clothes outside.
How to freeze clothes
On the other hand, it is correct to put your clothes in the refrigerator (freezer) overnight, as freezing your clothes kills any bacteria or mold spores that may be making them smell bad. In this context, the piece of clothing is wrapped and placed in a plastic bag or freezer-safe container for at least two hours, or overnight. Then, the clothes are hung outside.
lemonade
For white clothes , lemon juice is an effective deodorizer that makes towels and white clothes look “fresh”. Squeeze a few lemons, put the liquid in a spray bottle, and pour it over your white clothes until they are slightly damp. Hang your clothes outside in the sun to dry.
Drying sheets
Place dryer sheets between smelly clothes. These sheets can add a nice scent to your clothes; simply fold the smelly item of clothing, with the dryer sheet in it, for one day.
Essential oils
Essential oils can help keep your clothes smelling fresh. Some oils, like lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree, can kill bacteria. Simply fill a spray bottle with water, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and spray on your clothes until they feel slightly damp. Then hang them outside.
Laundry detergent
Apply a no-rinse detergent to your dry-cleaned clothes. No-rinse detergent is concentrated and effectively cleans the surface of the clothes without completely saturating them. This reduces the chance of warping or damaging the fabric. To use most no-rinse detergents: Mix a full cap of detergent with the amount of water indicated on the label in a spray bottle. Spray onto the musty clothes until they are slightly damp. Then, hang them to dry outside. If they still smell bad, repeat the process. However, this method is not suitable for leather clothes.
Boiling water
Place the smelly clothes in a bowl of boiling water for 5 minutes, then wring them out, wash them in the washing machine on the highest heat setting, and hang them outside to dry.
The boiling water kills the mold. This method is effective on towels, sheets, and other sturdy fabrics that can withstand boiling water. More delicate fabrics, however, may disintegrate in boiling water.
