All Possible Causes Of Why Your Clothes In The Drawers Smell
- Unclean Drawers. Let’s start with the very basic reason. How can a place that itself isn’t clean can keep the things...
- Unwashed Clothes. All drawers have unique smells to them. Not all people are fans of dry cleaning their formal...
- Damp Clothes, Mildew, And Molds. If your clothes in the drawers smell...
Why do my dresser drawers smell?
Smelly dresser drawers can be caused by spills, substances transferred from clothing, bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, insects and rodents. Bacteria and mold or mildew are the most common cause of odors. It’s easy to clean, disinfect and deodorize the drawers- stopping your odor problem once and for all.
Do clothes lose their scent when stored in drawers?
But after a few days -- or weeks -- in a drawer, your clothing may lose some of that laundry-fresh scent. If you want to keep your clothing smelling nice even when it's in storage, add items to the drawers that provide a pleasant scent. Many retailers offer sachets specifically designed to add scent to your drawers.
Why do my clothes smell like mildew?
Mildew forms in damp environments that are also dark. Mildew can form because of damp clothing and high humidity. The clothes may also smell because of bacteria caused by dirty clothes and dirty drawers. It can be frustrating to open your clothes drawer and smell that familiar old musty scent.
Why do coffee grounds smell good in drawers?
The nitrogen in the grounds helps eliminate bad smells, but coffee grounds smell pretty good on their own, too. The strong scent is enough to overpower and absorb funky smells. Fill a tea bag or an old pair of tightly-knit socks with coffee grounds, and simply place them in your drawers.
What Causes Clothes in Your Drawer to Smell?
There are many reasons why the clothes in your drawers may smell. However, the main component is a damp atmosphere. For example, you may have stored your clothes when they were still a little damp. It may not seem that they are that “wet,” but even a little dampness can cause that unwanted musty smell.
How to Stop Clothes from Smelling in Drawers
With all the causes of musty-smelling clothes, you may wonder how you can stop the clothes from smelling. If they already smell, your best bet is to wash them again. You may use some diluted vinegar to help the process.
Conclusion
The clothes in your drawers smell most likely because of damp clothing that causes mildew to form. However, if your drawers are dirty, they could be transferring bad odors to your clothes. Moreover, dirty clothes, even clothes that do not seem dirty, can cause foul odors to occur.
How to get rid of odors in drawers?
Hold each drawer upside-down to shake out any dust, dirt and debris. If you see any mildew, brush it out with a paper towel or brush. Wipe down the inside of each drawer with a wood soap and leave it outside to air-dry in the sun. Sunlight and fresh air are great for helping to get rid of smells.
Why does my dresser smell like musty?
Cause of Musty Smells. Musty smells are the result of mildew in your clothing or in your dresser. Mildew spores accumulate in dark and damp environments, and even if we can't see them, the smell gives them away. Moisture often finds its way into the drawer, usually by means of damp clothing, but it may also be the result of spills or humidity.
How to avoid musty smells in clothes?
Precautions. To avoid future musty smells, always wait until clothes are completely dry before putting them away. If you live in a humid area, keep the drawers open a crack and set a dehumidifier nearby.
How to get mildew out of clothes?
For clothing that smells but has no visible signs of mildew, air it out for two to three hours in the sun before laundering.
Why does moisture get in drawers?
Moisture often finds its way into the drawer, usually by means of damp clothing, but it may also be the result of spills or humidity. Mold and mildew spores can aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma and even cause irritation to the skin, so it's not a problem to take lightly.
How to get rid of mildew stains on clothes?
Get the clothing outside and shake it off as you visually inspect the items for noticeable signs of mildew and mold. If you discover any, brush it away with paper towels and treat the stain with lemon juice.
What to do if your dresser drawers smell?
After a good scrubbing, sometimes the wood inside the dresser drawers can become parched and thirsty. Feed the drawers with a wood conditioner that smells pleasant. You’ll want to do this step after you’ve cleaned the drawers really well and allowed them to dry in the sun.
How to get rid of smell in air freshener?
Make Your Own Air Freshener. Place a small cup filled with borax or baking soda in each drawer and close the drawers. Let the borax or baking soda absorb the odors for a few days if possible. I’ve also placed dryer sheets in each drawer for a few days.
What to use if you don't have a shop vac?
If you don’t have a shop vac you can use a coarse bristle brush broom or vacuum cleaner with an attachment. Keep in mind, if you’re using a vacuum cleaner with an attachment make sure to empty the canister immediately after cleaning the dresser drawers.
How to make drawers smell nice?
Soap. Put that collection of pretty scented hand soaps that you'll never use to work making your drawers smell nice. Place heavily scented soaps in the back corner of the drawer; leave the soaps in their wrappers to prevent the soap oils from damaging your clothing. Over time, the soap scent fades, but you can still use ...
How to add scent to drawers?
Another option for adding scent to your drawers is using scented drawer liners. Place the perfumed liners, often sold in sets of several sheets, in the bottom of the drawers before you add clothing. Many body care or perfume product manufacturers sell drawer liners in the same scents as their most popular products, so if you use a particular type of soap or body lotion, add that same subtle scent to your clothing as well. For a quick and easy drawer liner, add one or two dryer sheets to the bottom of your drawer. The fresh scent may not last as long as commercial drawer liners, but your clothes will smell nice and it is an inexpensive alternative.
How to clean a drawer with baking soda?
Open a box of baking soda and place it in the back of the drawer; secure it to the back of the drawer with a piece of tape if you're concerned about spills. To use kitty litter, fill a plastic container with unscented cat litter, poke holes in the lid and place the container in the drawer.
How long does it take for clothes to smell fresh?
When your laundry first comes out of the dryer, it smells fresh and clean. But after a few days -- or weeks -- in a drawer, your clothing may lose some of that laundry-fresh scent. If you want to keep your clothing smelling nice even when it's in storage, add items to the drawers that provide a pleasant scent. Advertisement.
What are sachets for drawers?
Many retailers offer sachets specifically designed to add scent to your drawers. Scents range from simple one-note fragrances, like cedar or lavender, to more complex floral bouquets.
How to get rid of lingering smell in drawers?
Before you start attending to your drawers, think about your clothes. Make sure to wash them with the right detergent and a softener with odor-eliminating properties.
How to keep clothes from smelling like laundry?
If you are looking to retain the freshness of your laundry without adding aromas, consider using baking soda. Open the box of baking soda and place it in the back of your drawer to keep it odor-free.
How to make laundry smell better?
Essential oils can do a whole lot for your laundry. As I already mentioned, adding a few drops when thoroughly cleaning the drawers leaves them smelling great for a long time, but there’s so much more you can do. For example, add up to 30 drops of your favorite oil to your washer during the final rinse circle for a more permanent smell. You can even make a water solution with a few drops of oil and spray it directly on your dry clothing before folding it in.
What is sweet scented pouch?
Sweet-scented pouches and sachets are extremely popular for a reason. You can use them anywhere and make your drawers, clothes, your car, or the entire room smell like heaven. Retailers offer a wide range of scents, from single-note fragrances to more complex aromas. They are easy to find, affordable, and any scent you choose is concentrated enough to last a very long time.
How to get rid of a bad smell in clothes?
Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to your laundry conditioner to keep the bad smell away. Also, you can mix equal parts water and white vinegar and spray the solution on your clothes before folding them in your drawers. Turn your clothes inside out to avoid discoloration, though.
What to use to clean a drawer that smells?
Either way, it wouldn’t hurt to give your drawers a nice scrubbing. You’ll need a soft cloth, some antibacterial spray, warm water, and a drop of essential oil of your preference .
What is cat litter made of?
Cat litter is made from clay and is designed to absorb odors and kill bacteria. Whether you are a cat owner or not, kitty litter is an affordable and effective way to keep your drawers odor-free. You can go for unscented litter if you’d like to pass on perfume or a scented one that will give your laundry an extra kick.
