Washing smells musty when bacteria and mould grow in damp fabric or inside the washing machine. The most common causes are leaving wet laundry in the drum, slow indoor drying, overloading, using too much detergent, and a dirty door seal or detergent drawer. Rewash affected items warm with a biological detergent, dry them quickly with plenty of airflow, and clean the machine with an empty hot wash.
That damp, stale smell is most common in autumn and winter, when washing dries indoors and machines run on cool cycles. The good news is that it is almost always fixable at home, once you know where it is coming from. For the full fresh-laundry routine, see our main guide to getting the best smelling laundry in the UK.
Find the Cause in Two Minutes
| What you notice | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes smell as soon as they come out of the machine | Dirty door seal, drawer, drum or filter | Clean the machine (below) |
| Fine out of the machine, musty once dry | Slow drying | More airflow, more space, less time damp |
| Only towels smell | Washed too cool or dried too slowly | Wash warmer and dry fully within hours |
| Clothes smell after being put away | Stored slightly damp, or a damp wardrobe | Dry fully; ventilate the wardrobe |
| Rotten egg or drain smell | Gases coming back up the waste pipe | Check the drain trap and hose; call a plumber if it persists |
| The whole home smells damp | Condensation and damp in the house | Improve ventilation and heating |
How to Rescue Musty Clothes
- Rewash warm. Use the warmest temperature the care label allows, usually 40 to 60°C for towels and cottons.
- Use a biological detergent. Enzymes break down the residues that hold the smell.
- Add oxygen bleach for whites and colourfast items with a stubborn smell.
- Leave space in the drum so everything rinses properly.
- Dry fast. Outdoors, in a tumble dryer, or in a ventilated room with a dehumidifier.
- Smell-test before storing. If any mustiness remains, repeat before it goes back in the wardrobe.
Towels are the most common culprits. Our guide to fabric softener for towels explains why heavy conditioner can trap residue and make towels harder to rinse clean.
How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine
- Run an empty hot wash. Use the hottest cycle your manual recommends for cleaning, with a washing machine cleaner if you have one.
- Clean the door seal. Pull back the rubber folds and wipe out hair, fluff and grey slime.
- Remove the detergent drawer. Rinse it under hot water and clean the housing it sits in.
- Check the filter. Follow the manual, with a towel and tray ready for trapped water.
- Leave it open. Keep the door and drawer ajar after every wash so the inside dries.
Manufacturers such as Beko recommend this kind of regular maintenance, because constant cool washes and excess detergent let residue build up where water sits.
Drying Indoors Without the Musty Smell
Drying a load of washing indoors releases a lot of moisture into the air. In a closed room, that moisture settles on windows and walls, and the NHS notes that damp and mould can affect breathing and trigger allergies and asthma.
Ventilate
Open a window slightly or run an extractor fan in the room where washing dries.
Use a Dehumidifier
It pulls moisture out of the air and can halve drying times on an airer.
Give It Space
Leave gaps between items so air can move around them.
Avoid Radiators and Bedrooms
Draped washing on radiators and airers in bedrooms add damp exactly where you sleep.
Stop the Smell Coming Back
Five Habits That Prevent Musty Washing
Unload as soon as the cycle ends, using delay-start if you are out. Dose detergent correctly rather than generously. Run a monthly maintenance wash. Never put damp towels or gym kit in the laundry basket; let them dry first. And store dirty washing in a breathable basket, not a sealed plastic tub.
Our Pick: A Breathable Laundry Basket
Boutique Double Steamed Wicker Laundry Basket With Lining
Wicker lets air circulate around dirty washing, unlike a sealed plastic tub, and the cotton lining lifts out for washing. Available in small and large sizes.
View ProductQuick Summary
- Musty smells come from damp: in the fabric, the machine or the room.
- Rewash warm with a biological detergent and dry fast.
- Clean the door seal, drawer and filter, and run a monthly hot wash.
- Dry indoors with ventilation, space and ideally a dehumidifier.
- A rotten egg smell points to the drain, not the washing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my clothes smell musty after washing?
Usually because they stayed damp too long, either in the drum after the cycle or while drying slowly indoors. A dirty washing machine and too much detergent can also leave a musty smell.
How do I get a musty smell out of towels?
Wash them at 60°C if the label allows, with a biological detergent and no fabric conditioner, then dry them quickly and completely, ideally in a tumble dryer or outdoors.
Can vinegar remove a musty smell from washing?
Some people add white vinegar to the rinse to help cut residue. A warm wash with a biological detergent and fast drying is usually more effective, and you should check your machine manual before using vinegar regularly.
Why does my washing machine smell of eggs?
A rotten egg smell usually comes from drain gases travelling back up the waste pipe, often because a trap has dried out or the hose is positioned incorrectly. If it continues, ask a plumber to check the waste connection.
Does drying clothes indoors cause mould?
It can contribute. Drying washing releases moisture into the air, which can lead to condensation and mould in poorly ventilated rooms. Ventilation and a dehumidifier help.
How long can wet clothes stay in the washing machine?
Ideally take them out within an hour or two. Left for several hours, especially overnight, damp laundry can start to smell musty.
Sources: Beko, How to stop a washing machine from smelling; NHS, Can damp and mould affect my health?; Expert Reviews, Why do my clothes smell bad after washing?