We've All Forgotten Wet Clothes In The Washer. But How Long Is Too Long?

Imagine this: You're rushing out the door for work, then remember that you threw a load of clothes in the wash last night. You don't have time to switch them to the dryer now, so you plan to get to them later. Then, you come home after work ready to tackle your laundry, only to notice that your clothes have developed a musty smell. Should you throw them in the dryer with a few extra dryer sheets to mask their odor or give the clothes a rewash? This is a scenario we've all found ourselves in at least a few times. And unfortunately, there is such a thing as leaving your clothes damp in the wash for too long. If they've been sitting for more than eight to 12 hours, you probably need to rewash them.

The problem with leaving clothes in the washer for more than a few hours is that they can develop mold or mildew, which can give them a musty odor. (This is also why throwing wet clothes in your laundry hamper is a bad idea.) The best way to determine if your clothes need to be rewashed is to give them a sniff test. If they contain a musty odor, rewash. If you don't smell anything unpleasant, go ahead and switch them to the dryer.

The easiest way to deal with smelly clothes that have sat damp for too long is to rewash them. Simply run them through a wash cycle with your normal detergent. There are many laundry hacks that will leave your clothes smelling fresh, but if you're worried the musty smell won't come out with a regular wash, add either 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle or half a cup of baking soda to the wash cycle to neutralize odors. Remember, it's okay to leave your clothes in the washer for a few hours, but if you leave them in there so long that they develop musty smells, throwing them in the dryer will only lock that smell in. It's vital to get them clean again first.

Since washers can also develop mold or mildew when left damp for a prolonged period (which can add to the bad smell of your clothes), do a sniff test once the washer is empty. If it smells musty or shows signs of mildew, it needs to be cleaned. The best way to clean your washer depends on whether it's front-loading or top-loading, but to simplify the process, consider purchasing easy-to-use washing machine tablets. These tablets dissolve in water, releasing ingredients to remove grime and deodorize your machine so it'll be fresh and ready for your next load of laundry.