No Need for Laundry: 11 Easy Ways to Remove Musty Smells from Clothes Without Washing Them

Co-authored by Ahmed Mezil

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 References

Nobody likes funky-smelling clothes, but sometimes you just don’t have the time, patience, or ability to wash them. No problem. There are plenty of things you can do to freshen up those musty clothes. Check out this list of options and choose the best solution for you so you can leave the funk behind—no washing necessary!

1

Spray them with white vinegar.

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It’s a simple solution that packs a punch. Take a spray bottle and fill it with half white vinegar and half water.^{[1]
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Ahmed Mezil
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Gently shake it to mix it together well. Spray your clothes with the mixture and hang them up to dry for about a day or so before you wear it so the vinegary smell is gone.^{[2]
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- If you’re worried about the vinegar affecting the fabric of your clothes, try spraying a small amount on a small, inconspicuous spot to test it out.
- Make sure you dilute the vinegar with water or you could end up replacing your musty smell with the scent of vinegar.
- Don’t use apple cider vinegar, which could stain or discolor your clothes.

2

Spritz them with vodka.

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Don’t worry, you won’t smell boozy once it dries. Fill a spray bottle with straight, unflavored vodka. Spray your clothes and hang them up to air dry and to allow the vodka smell to fade away and you’re all set!^{[3]
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- You can also use vodka to target extra-musty regions of your clothing (such as the underarms) if you don’t want to spray the whole surface.
- Use unflavored vodka so you don’t add an additional unpleasant odor and so your clothes don’t end up being sticky (which can happen if there’s sugar in the vodka).

3

Hit them with essential oils.

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They’ll overpower any unpleasant odors on your clothes.^{[4]
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Ahmed Mezil
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Take your favorite essential oil and add a few drops into a spray bottle full of water. Spritz your clothes with the sweet-smelling solution, let ‘em dry, and you’re good to go.^{[5]
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- You can use any essential oil that you like, but some may be more effective for getting out musty smells such as lavender, grapefruit, and lemon.
- Essential oils can be overwhelming and difficult to remove if you add too much. Make sure you dilute a few drops into a bottle of water!

4

Spot-treat with lemon juice.

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Target those extra musty regions. Lemon naturally kills odor-causing bacteria and leaves your clothes smelling fresh with a pleasant scent at the same time. Add a few drops of lemon juice to a spray bottle of water and spray areas like the armpits and groin regions of your clothes—the places that can smell the mustiest between washes. Let your clothes airdry and they’re good to wear.^{[6]
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- Pure lemon juice could stain or discolor your clothes, so make sure you dilute it in a spray bottle full of water.

5

Absorb the smell with baking soda.

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It can actually absorb the musty odor.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Ahmed Mezil
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Put your musty clothes in a large plastic bag and sprinkle in some baking soda. Give the bag a good shake so the baking soda covers all of your clothes and then leave it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, remove your clothes, brush off the baking soda, and bam—no more musty smell!^{[8]
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- You can also combine baking soda and water to form a thick paste that you can apply directly to especially musty regions. Leave it to dry and harden and then brush it off.
EXPERT TIP

Melissa Maker
Founder, Clean My Space
Melissa Maker is host and editor of CleanMySpace, a YouTube channel and blog with over 1 million subscribers. She has over 10 years of professional cleaning experience, and dispenses helpful tips on all things home.

Melissa Maker
Founder, Clean My Space

For clothes that smell musty but don't need laundering yet, my go-to trick is vinegar and baking soda. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, mist the garments thoroughly, and let sit 5 minutes. Next, lightly coat with baking soda, let sit overnight, then shake off the excess powder. This combo absorbs and neutralizes odors without the need for soap and water.

6

Brush them with a clothing and upholstery brush.

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Get rid of any lint, fuzz, pills, and hair that can trap odors. Pet hair and dryer lint can really add a funky smell to your clothing. Take an upholstery brush and brush your clothes well to remove anything stuck to the surface.^{[9]
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- You can find clothing and upholstery brushes at your local department store or home goods store. You can also order them online.
- If you used baking soda to help absorb the odors, you can follow up with a brush to remove the baking soda and anything else stuck to the surface of your clothes.

7

Use a refreshing fabric spray.

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Remove the funk and add a pleasant smell to your clothes. There are a variety of fabric sprays that come in all sorts of smells. Simply spritz your musty-smelling clothes and let them air dry. The unpleasant odor will be gone and your clothes will be left smelling great!^{[10]
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- Your clothes will end up smelling like the spray you use, so make sure you like the scent before you use it.

8

Freeze them for a few hours.

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The cold can actually kill smelly bacteria. Place your clothes in a large freezer bag and seal it shut. Stick the bag into your freezer and leave it for a few hours to allow the cold temperature to deodorize your clothing. Then, take out the bag, let your clothes warm up a bit, and you’re all set.^{[11]
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- When you first remove your clothes from the freezer, they may be a bit stiff. Let them warm up for a few minutes before you put them on so they feel softer.

9

Toss them in the dryer.

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Add a fabric softener sheet and a clean towel to get rid of the must. The fabric softener sheet will add a pleasant smell and the towel will help absorb moisture and unpleasant odors. Simply place them in the dryer along with your clothes and turn on the dryer for about 10 minutes. That’s it!^{[12]
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- Tossing your clothes in the dryer can also help remove any wrinkles in them.

10

Air them out.

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Let the funk fade away on its own. Probably the simplest solution is to simply place your clothes on a hanger and then hang them outside of your closet. Let them hang for about a day or so and the musty odor will disappear like magic.^{[13]
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- It’s also a good idea to let your clothes air out before you hang them up in your closet after wearing them. It can help prevent odor-causing bacteria from making them smell all musty.

11

Hang them up in the sun.

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Harness the power of the sun by pinning your clothes to a clothesline in a sunny place outside. Choose a spot with a nice breeze to help air them out as well. The UV rays will kill odor-causing bacteria, and the breeze will leave them smelling nice and fresh.^{[14]
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Try using scented drawer liners to keep your clothes smelling nice and fresh while they’re stored away.

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Warnings

Check the tag before you apply liquids like vinegar, vodka, or lemon juice. If the fabric is delicate or dry-clean only, you may want to hold off on using them to prevent damaging or discoloring the material.

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