The Essential Oil That Can Get Musty Odors Out Of Your Laundry For Good

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One of the most frustrating things is pulling freshly washed laundry out of the washer only to find it smells anything but fresh. The biggest reason this happens is due to mildew and bacteria. These silent yet smelly offenders can be caused by using too much detergent or overcrowding the washer. Luckily, there is an all-natural ingredient that can remove those musty odors, pine essential oil. 

Extracted from tree needles, this oil is often diffused to add a little holiday cheer to your home, but it's also a powerful germ-fighting cleaner. Studies have shown pine essential oil to be a potent antimicrobial and antibacterial agent. When added to your washer, it can get the mildew smell out of your laundry by eradicating the lingering mold and bacteria that's giving your clothes that odor. The key is to use a product that's at least 80% pine, like this Oil of Youth Pine Oil on Amazon, to get the most odor-fighting power.

Using pine oil to leave your clothes smelling fresh is a simple process. It's best to start small by adding several drops into a full washer right before the agitate cycle. Adding it at this stage allows it to evenly distribute through the wash and attack all the odor-causing bacteria and mildew. If the smell persists, you can slowly increase the amount, with some sites even recommending using a cup of the essential oil. Keep in mind that your laundry will likely smell like pine after the load is done. If this isn't your favorite scent, simply run another cycle to help reduce it. If you're concerned about potential damage, test the process with a load of rags first and adjust the amount to your comfort level.

This hack is great for work clothes and sturdier fabrics, but think twice before using it on delicate items. Pine essential oil may damage dry-clean only garments or sensitive textiles like silk or velvet, so it's not worth the risk. Instead, try hanging them in direct sunlight to remove the musty smell or take them to a professional dry cleaner for help.