How to Get the Smell Out of Soured Laundry

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By JWSouza
User-Submitted Article

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Almost everyone at some time has left wet laundry in the washing machine for too long on a warm day. It's easy to get busy and forget to put a load in the dryer. Many times, the laundry is left with a horrible soured smell that can seem almost impossible to get out. Running the washer again with more detergent usually won't entirely get rid of the smell. Here are some tips for completely getting that bad smell out of soured laundry.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Washing machine
Soured laundry
Large box of baking soda
Bleach

Step 1

When clothes have soured, start the washer again with water that is the hottest temperature safe for the laundry.
Step 2

Add detergent and 1 cup of baking soda. Set the washer for the longest wash cycle, and stop the washer after the laundry has agitated for 15 minutes. Allow laundry to soak in the water for up to one hour. Allow washer to resume.
Step 3

Carefully check the laundry for any soured scent. If the laundry is colored and still has a trace of an odor, repeat Steps 1 and 2. If the laundry is very light colors and whites, add just 1/4 cup of bleach to the water right before the agitation starts.