Oops! There's a sweat smell on my clothes... How can I get rid of it quickly?

◇Use of baking soda and citric acid

To eliminate the musty smell from clothes, it is better to use baking soda or citric acid instead of fabric softener.

Fabric softeners retain moisture, delaying laundry drying time. Baking soda and citric acid are effective for odor removal.

Adding a tablespoon or two of vinegar when rinsing laundry can also be helpful.

The acidic component of vinegar has a sterilizing effect that prevents bacterial growth and eliminates bad odors.

◇Need to shorten the drying time

Reducing laundry drying time is also a way to prevent the proliferation of Moraxella bacteria, which cause a musty smell.

Moraxella bacteria easily reproduce in hot and humid environments and feed on sebum, detergent residues, and other debris.

Washed clothes should be dried immediately after washing in a well-ventilated area with good sunlight.

It is better to widen the gaps between clothes when drying.

Inserting newspaper between laundry or turning on a dehumidifier or fan inside helps.

Sprinkling Soju evenly

Clothes made of thin materials like T-shirts or shirts can have their odors removed using soju.

Pouring soju into a spray bottle and spraying it evenly on clothes quickly disinfects as the alcohol evaporates.

The smell also disappears during this process.

◇Internal Inspection of the Washing Machine

If the musty smell from clothes does not disappear even after using the above method, you should check the inside of the washing machine.

Mold or detergent residue may accumulate in the detergent container, drain filter, or washing tub.

Since washing machines are water-based machines, it is recommended to clean the interior at least once a month.

The method for cleaning the inside of the washing machine is as follows.

Detergent container

Detergent containers are prone to moisture and detergent residue, so it is recommended to clean them once a week.

After removing the detergent container, pour lukewarm water and clean.

Washing tank

Pour a cup of sodium percarbonate into the empty washing tub.

Fill the washing tub with warm water up to 80% of its height, then operate it using the standard wash cycle.

Drainage and supply filter

Hold and turn the drain filter cover to detach it, then use a toothbrush to clean even the detailed parts.

Turn off the faucet, disconnect the water supply hose, and then locate the filter screen at the connection point to clean off any debris.

[Source: Health Chosun]