What causes a musty smell in clothes?

Musty odor is caused by mildew, a type of mold that grows on fabric in warm, damp, or poorly ventilated conditions. Common causes include clothes left in the washer too long, stored in humid closets, or packed in airtight containers. The smell means mold spores are actively growing on the fibers.

How do you get musty smell out of dry clean only clothes?

Baking soda in a sealed bag or a few hours in direct sunlight can take the edge off a faint surface smell, but neither reaches mildew that has set into the fibers, which is what causes most musty odor. If the smell returns within a wear or two, that is mildew still living in the fabric, and professional PERC-free dry cleaning is the only method that reliably removes it rather than masking it.

Can Baroni Cleaners remove musty odors from clothes?

Yes. Baroni Cleaners in Irvine uses PERC-free organic cleaning that eliminates mold and mildew odors from all fabric types. We offer free pickup and delivery in Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and Santa Ana with a 48-hour turnaround. Call (949) 316-4276.

Garment Care

How to Get Rid of Musty Smell from Clothes (5 Methods That Work)

Q: Does dry cleaning remove musty and mildew smells?

Yes. Professional dry cleaning solvents penetrate fabric fibers more thoroughly than water-based methods and eliminate mold spores that home techniques miss. This is especially effective for structured garments, lined jackets, and items with padding that traps moisture.

July 28, 2025Baroni Cleaners

Written by the Baroni Cleaners team · Family-owned dry cleaning and tailoring serving Irvine and Orange County · See how Baroni works

What actually causes musty odor in clothes, why the popular pantry fixes only mask it and let it come back, and what removes it at the source.

What Causes That Musty Smell

Musty odor in clothes is caused by mildew, a type of mold that grows on fabric in warm, damp, or poorly ventilated conditions. Clothes left in the washer too long, stored in humid closets, or packed in airtight containers are the most common victims. The smell is not just unpleasant. It means mold spores are actively growing on the fibers, and standard washing alone often does not eliminate them completely.

Method 1: White Vinegar Soak

Add one cup of white vinegar to a basin of cold water and soak the garment for 30 minutes before washing as normal. This helps with surface odor on washable fabrics, but it does not reach mildew that has already set into the fibers, and vinegar must never go near silk or wool. Vinegar is mildly acidic, which disrupts mold growth and neutralizes odors without bleaching or damaging most fabrics. Do not mix vinegar with bleach. For machine-washable items, you can add the vinegar directly to the rinse cycle.

Method 2: Baking Soda Treatment

For garments that can be machine washed, add half a cup of baking soda along with your regular detergent. For dry clean only items, place the garment in a sealed bag with two tablespoons of baking soda for 24 hours. Baking soda absorbs odors rather than masking them, making it effective for mild to moderate musty smells. Shake the garment thoroughly afterward.

Method 3: Sunlight and Fresh Air

Ultraviolet light from the sun naturally kills mold spores and bacteria. Hang the affected garment outside in direct sunlight for several hours. Sunlight suppresses surface mildew, but it fades dyes on colored and delicate fabrics, and if the smell returns after a wear or two, the mildew is still living in the fabric. This method is free, chemical-free, and surprisingly effective for mild odors. However, avoid prolonged sun exposure for colored or delicate fabrics, as UV light can also cause fading. Turn dark garments inside out before hanging.

Method 4: Vodka Spray

Fill a spray bottle with plain, unflavored vodka and lightly mist the garment. Treat this the way costume departments do, as a stopgap between wears when there is no time for real cleaning, not as a fix. The alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria as it evaporates and leaves no scent behind. This is a trick borrowed from theater costume departments, where garments cannot be washed between performances. It works well for fabrics you cannot easily wash, like blazers, vintage pieces, and costumes.

Method 5: Professional Cleaning (When Home Methods Fail)

If you have tried the methods above and the smell persists, the mildew has likely penetrated deeper into the fabric than surface treatments can reach. Professional dry cleaning solvents penetrate fabric fibers more thoroughly than water-based methods and eliminate mold spores that home techniques miss. This is especially important for structured garments, lined jackets, and anything with padding or interlining that traps moisture.

Musty smells are stubborn, but they are almost always fixable when treated properly. Baroni Cleaners in Irvine specializes in odor removal using our PERC-free organic cleaning process, which eliminates mold and mildew from all types of fabrics without harsh chemicals. We offer free pickup and delivery throughout Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, and Santa Ana so you do not even need to make a trip. Call (949) 316-4276 or schedule at baronicleaners.com.