Why does my laundry smell like mold a few hours after washing them?

It's the towel especially. When I first bring them out of the dryer they smell just fine but after a couple hours they smell like mold or mildew. It's it my clothes too but it's really strong with the towels. What's up?





Thanks.Why does my laundry smell like mold a few hours after washing them?
First aspect of problem is mineral and pipe build-up contaminating your water, Very likely cause.


Washing machines don't have filters. Although newer front loaders do have traps (usually there is a door on the bottom left or right)


You need to drain it there before pulling the ';filter'; because water does stay in it.


If the water sits in the washer (or the wet cloths) it doesn't take long for it to smell. Especially if the washer doesn't adequately evacuate the rinse water.


Stale water that sits in the bottom, under your spin basket...


I'm sure you see where I'm going with this.


You could try before putting your load in, get a pitcher of hot water, as hot as it can get from the tap, pour it in the bottom and run the final spin cycle until you don't hear water coming out of the drain tube, (or maybe see it)


You can run the spin cycle again at the end of the load too if you want to try to get more water out.


Washers are fairly easy to work on. You just need a screwdriver for the cover and a socket wrench with a couple long extensions to get the agitator out.


When you pull the outer cover off, you'll find all kinds of dirty buildup around the inside of the basket, hidden by the case.


The case is held at the top only, hinged at the front bottom.


Usually two screws hold the control device down onto the cover.


Take those out and tilt the cover up and back (carefully, some have wires you have to un-harness to give the freedom.)


Then the case will tilt forward (might take some effort if its old and stuck with dirt)


Give it a scrub with a bleach cleaner. Put it back together, Run the rinse cycle. You don't have to take the agitator out. It's only slightly more complicated though.


You can inspect the cogs that make it spin. Sometimes people don't know that the agitator has stopped working.


These little cogs are plastic and wear out. They can be ordered online for 3 dollars. They just snap in or sit in place.


There might be a pop-off or screw-off cap hiding the agitator bolt.


Whole process, including agitator removal and re-install, and cleaning


your talking 1:00 to 1:30 time frame.


(not including tool hunting expedition)














Why does my laundry smell like mold a few hours after washing them?
You are leaving them in the washer too long before throwing them in the dryer. Once you have washed and dried so many times the smell may just stay in them even if you get them out quickly enough.


First you need to run an empty cycle in the washer with hot water and bleach to kill anything in the washer itself. Then when doing your clothes and towels, wash on the hottest setting the clothes can take, use Clorox 2 as well as your regular detergent and make sure you remove them immediately after the wash cycle is done and put them in the dryer.





I had this same problem forever and it seemed the smell wasn't going away even after getting them straight into the dryer. I tried so many different products including, vinegar, baking soda, Borax.


What finally worked for me was the Clorox 2 and Tide with Bleach. The combo of them finally got the smell out and kept it out. Oh and washing on hot!
It could be from you leaving the towels in the washer too long after there done. They do start to smell if you leave them in there and there wet. Try setting a timer or something so you know exactly when the washer will stop. It could also be your washer that just needs washed. Put the setting on really hot water and add some bleach and just let the washer feel up and wash with nothing in it. That should get rid of the smell
Have you tried washing them in really hot water





Add Blast which contains Borax it also acts as stain fighters





If Blast does not work give one more try with Arm %26amp; Hammer Washing Soda this is hard to find in supermarket. It but the box claims to remove stains and odors while in wash cycle
It sounds as if you could have Mold in your washer. Try running a cup of bleach in a hot EMPTY load....





That should kill it off. Plus NEVER leave the wet clothes in the washer for a long period, they will mold.
the only thing my mom has found that works is febreze fabric freshener.


pour some in the final rinse.





other than that, she tosses it out.



Maybe your washing machine is dirty. Start your washing machine and add 1 1/2 of bleach. This should help clean your washing machine.
Are you putting them directly in the dryer after washing them? If you aren't, then it's mildew causing the smell.