How to Remove Musty Smell from Clothes Effectively and Permanently

If you deal with stored or second-hand clothes, you’ve probably asked yourself how to remove musty smell from clothes without damaging the fabric.

That distinctive smell, sometimes hard to eliminate, can make a good item unsellable or uncomfortable to wear. While there are many DIY tricks online, not all of them work for large volumes or commercial use.

With our experience as a second-hand clothing business in bulk, we’ll walk you through the most effective and easy ways to remove musty odors, and explain how we professionally treat our garments to ensure they arrive fresh and ready to sell.

Why Do Clothes Smell Musty?

Before treating the issue, it's helpful to understand why clothes develop that musty or damp odor. Moisture is a silent enemy for many fabrics, especially when clothes are stored or washed improperly.

Most common causes of musty-smelling clothes

• Storage in poorly ventilated places: closets, warehouses, sealed plastic bags

• Insufficient drying, especially during cold or humid weather

• Folding or packing clothes while still damp

• Synthetic fabrics that trap odors more than natural ones

In second-hand or stock clothing

We see this every day: lots that look clean, but have that unmistakable “in storage” smell. The clothes aren’t dirty, but the odor gives a feeling of neglect — and that can affect sales and brand perception.

That’s why in the next section, we’ll show you how to remove musty smell from clothes the right way — whether you're handling a few pieces or hundreds.

Effective Ways to Remove Musty Smell from Clothes

Whether you're working with second-hand garments, returned stock, or clothes that have been sitting in storage, here’s how to get rid of mildew smell in clothes quickly and safely.

Wash with white vinegar and baking soda

This is one of the most natural and effective methods to remove musty odors from clothes.

• Add ½ cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment.

• Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda directly into the drum.

• Wash with warm water (30–40°C) on a normal cycle.

This combo neutralizes odors, kills bacteria, and softens fabric. Ideal for garments that smell stale but show no visible stains.

Wash with proper temperature and neutral detergent

In many cases, removing musty smell just requires a good wash — but done right.

• Use unscented or neutral detergent (no overpowering fragrances).

• Wash at 60°C if the fabric allows, to kill bacteria and mold.

• For delicate garments, try a long wash cycle at 40°C with prewash.

Especially useful for second-hand or vintage clothes where initial washing wasn’t enough.

Dry outdoors or in well-ventilated areas

One of the most overlooked steps to remove damp smell from clothes is proper drying.

• Whenever possible, hang garments to dry in direct sunlight — UV rays help kill bacteria and mold spores.

• Avoid drying in bathrooms or enclosed areas with poor airflow.

At our store, we always air out freshly received stock for 24+ hours before prepping it for sale.

Use odor-neutralizing laundry products

There are special products designed to eliminate smells, not just mask them:

• Antibacterial textile sprays

• Additives for washing machines that remove persistent odors

• Odor absorbers for drawers or storage boxes

Just make sure they’re safe for fabrics and don’t leave residues or artificial fragrances.

Pro tip: steam and ironing

Steam not only disinfects — it’s incredibly effective at removing deep-set odors in fibers.

• Use a garment steamer or powerful steam iron

• Target key areas like underarms, collars, and seams

• Finish with a hot iron (if fabric allows) for extra freshness and polish

In our experience, steam is one of the fastest and most effective methods for treating clothes with lingering odors and giving them a crisp, sellable finish.

How to Prevent Clothes from Smelling Musty Again

Once you’ve managed to get rid of that damp smell, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t come back — especially if you’re storing or handling clothes in bulk.

Always store clothes fully dry

It might sound basic, but the #1 cause of returning odors is storing clothes with residual moisture.

• Ensure every piece is 100% dry before folding, packing, or bagging.

• In a rush? Use a fan or gentle heat source to finish drying thoroughly.

In our shop, we allow extra drying time before storage or shipping — even after machine drying.

Avoid storing in sealed or unventilated spaces

Closets, cardboard boxes, and plastic bags can trap humidity and cause mold and odor.

• Use desiccants like silica gel packs in storage areas.

• Regularly air out warehouses or storerooms.

• If using plastic bags, go for breathable or perforated ones for long-term storage.

Limit the use of airtight plastic bags

They may look practical, but airtight bags can trap even minimal moisture.

• Use them only for short-term transport, not for storing inventory.

• For long-term use, choose breathable fabric bags or cardboard boxes with ventilation.

Use fragrance carefully — don’t just mask the problem

Some sellers try to cover musty smells with air fresheners or fabric perfume. This might backfire.

• Prefer odor-neutralizers over scents.

• If using fragrance, apply only after thorough washing and drying, and in small amounts.

Our Commitment: Treated Clothes, No Odors, Ready to Sell

We know many resellers and wholesalers get stock that smells musty — even if it’s in great condition. And we also know that customers notice these things, which can hurt your business and your reviews.

That’s why we go beyond sorting and selecting. We ensure every garment is clean, odor-free, and treated professionally before it leaves our facility.

What do we do?

• Manual and visual checks on every item

• Washing with neutral or natural products

• Air drying or temperature-controlled drying

• Steam treatments to neutralize deep-set odors

• Stored in clean, ventilated, odor-free conditions

The result?

You receive garments that are ready to display or upload to your online store — no extra washing or prepping needed. Just open the box and start selling.

If you’re working with second-hand or overstock clothing and want to avoid surprises, contact us.