After storing your clothing for a season or extended period of time, you may notice that some of your pieces have a musty smell to them. When clothing doesn’t smell as fresh as when you first packed it, you may wonder how you can get rid of storage smells quickly. After clothing has been folded or sitting next to each other in humid or hot areas, they may have developed a smell or even mold. This blog will share how you can remove storage smells and mold growth from clothing that has been placed in a storage unit or back closet.
How Clothes Develop Musty Smells
The most common reasons your clothing develops a musty smell are because of moisture in the air around it. Damp or humid environments with poor air circulation can lead to this moisture sticking to the fabric, growing mold or other bacteria.
Improperly stored clothing can also be a factor in clothes developing storage smells. If you wash your clothing before putting them in storage, they may hold on to some of this moisture, leading to lingering odors. Especially if freshly washed clothes are not completely dry and placed in tight drawers, strong odors may develop.
Air Drying And Sunlight
One of the best ways to remove storage smells from clothing is to put them out in the sun and fresh air. Sunlight is highly effective in killing bacteria and freshening clothes. Getting some airflow between the garments can also help freshen them up after just a few hours. Balancing the time your clothes are left outside is also crucial to the longevity of your clothing. Leaving them in the sunlight for too long can change the coloring and lower the quality of the fabric. An hour or two of fresh air and sunlight is typically enough to reduce the odors.
Lemon Juice
If you noticed mold growth on your stored clothing, using lemon juice can help kill and remove the mold. Lemon is a natural antifungal agent, which means it can be used to spot treat mold patches by making a paste with salt and lemon juice. You can then use an old toothbrush or small scrub brush to apply the paste. Let it sit until the paste is dry and then wash your clothing like normal. In addition to removing mold spots, lemon scent may linger on your clothing, helping to mask other odors.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is the best odor absorbent, often used for carpets, refrigerators, and clothing. It will soak up a variety of liquids and odors while also disinfecting at the same time. Baking soda traps and neutralizes the odor molecules, making them easier to remove from almost any fabric. If you have a few garments that need attention, you could benefit from soaking them in a bath with a cup of baking soda for 30 minutes before washing normally. You can also sprinkle baking soda on top of a full load of garments that have been affected by storage smells.
Refresh Cycle With Dryer Sheets
Most dryer setups have a refresh or fluff cycle that can help give your clothes an extra boost. Putting clothing with storage smells into a refresh cycle with some scented dryer sheets can reduce odors and staleness that come from putting clothes in storage. Scent beads, fabric softener sheets, and dryer sheets can all be helpful in limiting strong odors on clothing, even if they are just placed with the clothes during storage.
Preventing Storage Smells In The Future
Putting seasonal clothes in storage is very common, which means that preventing storage smells in the future is another crucial step for the longevity of your clothes. When fabrics are placed close together in a tight space, there are bound to be some musty smells. However, there are some ways you can help lower the risk of odors or reduce their potency.
Some ways to prevent storage smells in the future include:
- Place dryer sheets between clothes before storing
- Coat in a light layer of baking soda to absorb excess moisture
- Invest in a climate-controlled storage unit to reduce moisture
- Clean totes, bags, or storage boxes before putting clothes in them for storage
- Add some drops of essential oil or potpourri near the clothing shelves to keep odors away
Storage Options From 700 Block Storage
Whether you are looking to store clothing, recreational equipment, books, or seasonal decor, our options at 700 Block Storage will keep them in pristine condition. Our storage units are easy to access, completely secure, and built with your needs in mind. 700 Block Storage is located close to I-15 in Salt Lake City, making our facility the best choice for students, those moving to Utah, and long-time residents alike. Have better peace of mind about the quality of your stored items when you rent a unit from us. Reach out to start storing today!
