How long can clothes stay in washer? (Answered)

It’s quite common for us to leave the clothes in the washer for too long after a wash cycle has finished.

It may be because you are too lazy to transfer the clothes from the washer to the dryer, or you may have simply forgotten about the clothes in there.

Whatever the reason, it is important to take the clothes out of the washer promptly after the wash cycle has finished.

In general, you should avoid keeping your wet clothes in the washer for more than 12 hours. Keeping your clothes in the washer for more than 8 to 12 hours will begin to create an environment where mildew can grow.

When there is a lot of humidity and water that doesn’t move, bacteria can grow and spread, which can be bad for your health.

Furthermore, if you leave clothes in the washer for extended periods of time, they will start to smell bad.

Not to mention, the fabric of your garments will start to deteriorate as well.

If you find that you must leave clothes in the washer for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to spin them every few hours.

How long can clothes sit in washer before smelling?

There is no exact answer to this question, as it depends on the fabric, the quality of the clothes, the current state of the washer, the amount of detergent used, whether you are using a fabric softener or not, and any other bacteria that may be present in your clothes.

In general, it’s best to take the clothes out of the washer within 4-6 hours of washing them.

This is especially important if you live in a humid climate, as the humidity will make it easier for bacteria to grow and spread.

With that said, you can expect your clothes to start smelling bad anywhere from 8 to 12 hours after washing them.

If you find that your clothes have been left in the washer for longer than 12 hours, it’s best to take them out, wash them again with a good detergent, and dry them as soon as possible.

This will help prevent the growth of mildew and any other bacteria that may be present.

It’s also important to make sure that you keep your washer clean and dry, as this can help reduce the chances of bacteria growth.

Can clothes be left in the washer for a week?

When you leave the clothes in the washing machine for an extended period, bacteria and mold start to grow, which produces a foul smell.

So, if this happens, drying your clothes won’t help in removing the odor.

Therefore, you will need to wash your clothes again, add a good detergent, and dry them as soon as possible.

Additionally, it’s important to properly clean and maintain your washing machine so that it does not build up dirt, lint, and mildew.

Possible Side effects of keeping wet clothes in the washer for too long

Even though keeping your wet clothes in the washer doesn’t sound like a big deal, it is actually a very serious issue.

Here are some possible side effects of keeping wet clothes in the washer for a prolonged period of time.

Mildew formation

Mildew formation is a common problem when wet clothes are left in the washer for too long.

The moisture in the air combined with the warmth of the washer creates an ideal environment for mildew to grow and spread.

If you leave your clothes in the washer too long, mildew can cause discoloration, weaken the fabric, and contribute to an unpleasant odor.

Damages the fabric

Leaving your wet clothes in the washer for too long can also cause damage to the fabric, as the fibers will start to break down and weaken over time.

In other words, it will amplify the wear and tear of the fabric and make it more likely to tear and rip.

Foul Smell

This is the most obvious and immediate problem that can happen if you leave clothes in the washer for a long time.

The damp and humid air will create an environment that will allow the bacteria to grow and spread, leading to an unpleasant odor.

Also, the detergent will start to break down and leave a nasty odor.

Affect your health

People with respiratory conditions like asthma are more likely to be affected by exposure to mildew.

Furthermore, mildew can also cause itchiness or rashes in people who are sensitive to skin irritations.

Therefore, it’s best to take your clothes out of the washer as soon as possible to minimize any potential health risks.

Why do wet clothes smell?

Some of the common factors that cause clothes to smell bad include mildew formation, detergent breakdown, fabric softener residues, and bacteria growth. In addition, if your clothing is made of a material that does not allow moisture to escape easily, it will start to smell musty.

Mildew forms when the clothes are left in a warm and humid environment for an extended period of time.

Also, the detergent will start to break down over time, leaving behind an unpleasant odor.

Should you rewash clothes left in the washer?

If the clothes in the washer have started to smell bad, it’s recommended to rewash them with a good detergent and dry them as soon as possible.

This will help eliminate and prevent the growth of mildew and any other bacteria that may be present.

In addition, it’s important to make sure that you keep your washer clean and dry, as this reduces the chance of bacterial growth.

How to prevent your clothes from smelling bad?

There are a few simple things that you can do to prevent your clothes from smelling bad, even if they’ve been left in the washer for a while.

Here are some easy tips that will help keep your clothes smelling fresh and new.

Remove your clothes from the washer post-wash

Take your clothes out of the washer as soon as possible after the cycle is complete.

This will make it less likely for mildew and other bacteria to grow, which could happen if the clothes are left in a warm and damp place.

Clean and maintain your washer

If you clean and maintain your washer regularly, mildew is less likely to grow.

An uncleaned washer can smell on its own, and the bacteria can spread to your clothes.

So, it’s important to clean and take care of your washer on a regular basis to make sure it works well.

You can do this by using a washing machine cleaner or by running an empty cycle with hot water and vinegar once a month or so.

Use an appropriate amount of detergent

Make sure that you use the right amount and type of detergent for the load size, as too much detergent can leave residue on your clothes and cause them to smell bad.

Air-dry your clothes

Another great way to keep bad odors at bay is to air-dry your clothes naturally.

This will help keep the fabric away from warm and humid environments and reduce the chance of mildew growth.

Use Laundry Disinfectants

Using a good laundry disinfectant can also help prevent any bacteria from growing on your clothes.

Some products are specifically designed to kill germs and bacteria and can be added to the washer during the wash cycle.

Avoid Overloading

It is important to avoid overloading the washer with too many clothes.

This will reduce the amount of air circulation in the machine and create an environment where mildew can grow more easily.

Air out the clothes

If you have any wet or damp clothes, like workout gear, hang them up to dry so they don’t make the rest of your laundry mildewy or stinky.

It’s best to air out such clothes as soon as possible rather than keeping them in the washer for too long.

Will a smelly washer make the clothes smell?

As a washer is used, detergent and fabric softener can build up over time and clog the internal components.

If this happens, it provides an environment where bacteria can flourish and cause a bad smell.

So, if your washer smells bad, it is probably making your clothes smell bad too.

In this case, it’s best to clean the washer before washing any more clothes and make sure that you remove any wet items from the machine as soon as possible.

How to Get Rid of Mildew from Stale Clothes?

The simplest and most common way to remove mildew from stale clothes is to rewash them with a good quality detergent and a strong disinfectant (such as Lysol or Dettol).

With that said, here are some easy home remedies and conventional ways to remove bad odor and mildew from clothes.

Vinegar Wash

Start by adding a cup of vinegar to the washer’s detergent dispenser.

Next, put the clothes in the washer, and if the care label permits, set the washer to run at hot water settings.

Let the washer complete the wash cycle, then air-dry the clothes naturally.

Baking Soda Wash

Take a few tablespoons of baking soda and dilute it in a bowl of water.

Pour the water directly into the drum, followed by the laundry items.

Add some detergent to the detergent tray and set the washer to run on a hot cycle.

If you are washing a delicate fabric, you may set the washer to run at cold water settings.

The baking soda will help absorb bad odors, soften the fabric, and leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice can be a great home remedy to remove mildew from clothes.

Mix two parts lemon juice and one part warm water in a bowl.

Pour the mixture into the washer drum, followed by the laundry items.

Add detergent to the detergent tray and set the washer to run on settings suitable for your fabric.

You may make this solution even more potent by mixing a cup of vinegar with the lemon juice solution.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another powerful disinfectant that can help remove mildew from clothes.

Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a bowl and pour it into the washer’s drum.

Add detergent to the tray and set the washer to run at hot water settings (only if the care label recommends it; otherwise, stick to cold water wash).

Note: It is important to note that hydrogen peroxide should not be used on delicate fabrics, as it may cause discoloration of the fabric.

Bleach Wash

Fabric-safe bleach can be used to kill germs and bacteria present in clothes.

Just put one cup of bleach in the detergent dispenser and wash the clothes as usual.

This should help kill any germs and bacteria on the clothes and leave them smelling fresh.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that your clothes can stink for many reasons, and one common solution to this problem is to not allow them to sit in the washer for too long.

With that said, certain clothing items like gym wear and swimsuits should be aired out before performing a final wash instead of putting them in the washer directly.

Home remedies such as vinegar wash, baking soda wash, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide are all effective ways to remove mildew from clothes.

If all else fails, a bleach wash should get the job done.

Regardless of the method you use, it is important to follow all the care instructions present on the care labels of your clothing items to ensure that they stay in good condition.

Frequently Asked Questions