Chores 101: How to get smells out of your clothes

We've all been there: You accidentally left your damp, dirty clothes in the hamper for a few days, or forgot to transfer that wet load into the dryer overnight? Yuck. We've got you covered with our ultimate guide on how to get smells out of clothes. Say goodbye to stinky laundry and hello to fresh, clean-smelling clothes.

First things first: Sort your laundry

Before you start tackling the smell, make sure you sort your laundry correctly. Separate items that are heavily soiled or have strong odors from lightly used items. This helps prevent cross-contamination to ensure all your clothes come out smelling fresh.

Laundry tips for removing odors

• Vinegar: Add ½ to 1 cup of white vinegar to your laundry load to help neutralize smells. You can also soak heavily soiled or smelly items in a bucket with warm water and a cup of vinegar before washing.

• Baking soda: Like vinegar, baking soda is a natural odor eliminator. Add 1/2 cup to your laundry load or use it as a pre-soak for tougher odors.

• Sun drying: If possible, hang your laundry outside to dry. The UV rays from the sun can help kill bacteria and eliminate odors naturally.

Freshening clothes between washes

For those times when you need a quick fix or don't have time for a full load of laundry, try these tips to freshen up your clothes:

• Spray bottle: Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar, then mist it over your clothes. The vinegar will help neutralize odors without leaving a strong scent.

• Dryer sheets: Tuck a dryer sheet into your closet or dresser drawers to keep your clothes smelling fresh.

• Baking soda sachets: Create small sachets filled with baking soda and place them in your laundry hamper or closet to absorb odors.

Removing specific smells from clothes

• Body odor: Pre-treat with a mixture of water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.

• Mildew/mold: Soak affected items in a solution of warm water and vinegar for at least one hour before washing.

• Smoke: Add a cup of vinegar to your laundry load and wash on the hottest setting.

• Pet odors: Soak items in a mixture of water, white vinegar, and dish soap before washing.

Caring for delicate fabrics

Some fabrics require special care when it comes to removing odors. Here's how you can freshen up these delicate items without damaging them. Be sure to do a spot test first because it's easy to damage delicate fabrics, even with common household deodorizers.

• Wool: Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the item and let it sit for 30 minutes before shaking or brushing it off.

• Silk: According to Martha Stewart herself, mix 2 cups lukewarm water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or white vinegar and put into a spray bottle. Spray a small amount onto the silk stain. Use a clean sponge to gently massage the stain. 

• Leather: Wipe down with a cloth dampened with equal parts water and vinegar. Let it air dry. Condition the leather once dry. Avoid getting the leather too damp to prevent water damage.