Q&A for How to Deodorize Clothing

Wash them by hand or in the washing machine and throw in a cup of white vinegar. That will usually wipe out any obnoxious odors. The other really important thing is that you should wash your clothes after every time you wear them to keep odors from building up. Think about it like a stove. If you wipe your stove down every time you cook, it's never going to develop a thick layer of grease. It's the same thing with your clothes.

Dissolve some baking soda in a large container or tub of warm water. Then, soak the smelly clothes in the mixture for around 15 minutes. Transfer the soaked garments to your washer and start a cycle right away.

They definitely should! Baking soda and white vinegar in particular are great deodorizers, and should get rid of any bad smells right away.

Try putting an air freshener or an unwrapped bar of soap in your closet to add a nice scent and prevent your clothes from getting musty. Fresh coffee grounds or dryer sheets also work well. Another option is to mist your clothes with a 1:1 mixture of water and white vinegar, but test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t damage any of your clothing.

Try spraying your clothes with a mixture of 1 cup (237 ml) of water and 1 tbsp (15 ml) of lemon juice. Just test the mixture in an inconspicuous spot first to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage. Letting the clothes air out in the sunshine or a well-ventilated room can also help.

Washing new clothes before you wear them can help get out any lingering smells. If that doesn’t work, try washing them again with a little baking soda.