I just did laundry on 8/19 (Monday), but there's a musty smell on the clothes... How can I remove the musty smell from laundry?

During the hot and humid summer months, clothes often develop a strange odor. When clothes do not dry properly for an extended period, bacteria proliferate and cause a musty smell. Wearing clothes that have a musty odor due to insufficient drying can pose health risks, especially for children and the elderly with weakened immune systems, potentially leading to meningitis or dermatitis. How can you eliminate the musty smell from laundry?

Using Baking Soda

Dissolve baking soda in water and soak the laundry for a while before washing, or add baking soda along with detergent in the washing machine, which is effective in removing odors from clothes. If you don't have baking soda, adding vinegar during rinsing is also a good method.

After doing laundry, dry it in a well-ventilated place with good sunlight.

The most effective way to eliminate the musty smell from laundry is to dry the clothes quickly in a well-ventilated area with strong sunlight. During rainy seasons or on cloudy days, using a dry iron to iron the clothes can help them dry faster and also remove bacteria from the fibers, preventing odors.

Place desiccant in the closet

Even well-dried clothes can develop a smell if hung in a humid closet. Therefore, it is important to ventilate the closet regularly and using a dehumidifier is also a good idea. Additionally, avoid hanging clothes too tightly together; leave some space between them to allow proper air circulation, which helps prevent musty odors.

Source: D Health Dok