It happens to all of us–you pull your favorite sweater out of storage or the back of a drawer and are greeted with a stale, musty smell. Don’t worry; Dropps is here to help! It’s easier than you might expect to banish stuffy storage smells–and we’ve got the tips on how to keep clothes smelling fresh in storage for the future.
How to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh in Storage
Make Sure your Clothes Are Clean
While you don’t need to wash your clothes after every wear, if you are packing away a seasonal wardrobe, make sure it is as clean as can be! We endorse the sniff test when it comes to hanging clothes back up in your closet, but before putting them in a storage bin or basket for the season, be sure to give them a good wash. We recommend using Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent for most fabrics to really give them a good clean, but natural fibers like wool should be washed with an enzyme-free detergent, like our Sensitive Skin Pods.
You can also add a Fabric Softener pod for an added bit of scent and softness!
Deodorize Storage Containers
Now that your clothes are clean, it's time to make their new home clean too! If you are storing your clothes in drawers, bins, or boxes, dissolve an Oxi Booster pod in a gallon of water and use the solution to clean both the inside and outside of the container. Small storage spaces tend to hold onto foul smells, so you want to make sure they are clean as can be. If you’re moving your clothes to an attic, basement, storage unit, or the back of a closet, make sure to give the space a good vacuum and mop with Oxi Booster solution. A clean home makes for cleaner clothes!
Add a Natural Deodorizer
Place a box of baking soda in your closet or storage room to naturally absorb odors and moisture and keep your clothes smelling fresh! Pro Tip: Add a few drops of essential oils (or a few spritzes of our Revitalizing Mist) to the box to add a light scent. When you take out your clothes, they’ll smell like they’ve been newly washed–regardless of how long it’s been.
How to Get Stale Smell out of Clothes
While the above tips should help keep your clothes smelling fresh while in storage, sometimes accidents happen. Here are a few ways to get that stale smell out of your clothes once and for all!
Give them a Wash
First things first: give those smelly clothes a good wash! We recommend using Stain & Odor Laundry Detergent, which contains enzymes to fight smells and stains. Add an Oxi Booster Pod for a boost of extra cleaning power!
Dry them Properly
Excess moisture is one of the top culprits for musty smelling clothes. Be sure your clothes are completely dry before hanging them up or putting them away. If you machine dry your clothes, add an XL Wool Dryer Ball to shorten your drying time. If you hang your laundry to dry, harness the power of nature by allowing your clothes to dry in the sun! (Did you know the sun is known to naturally disinfect?)
Add a Boost of Scent
Once the musty smell is gone, we love adding a touch of scent for that just-washed, clean laundry smell. You can add a scented Fabric Softener Pod to your wash or a few drops of essential oils to your Wool Dryer Balls to lightly scent your clothes during the cleaning process. Want a bit more? Our Revitalizing Mists are perfect for adding a bit of freshness any time!
Consider the Source
If you consistently have problems with musty smelling clothes in storage, it may be time to reconsider your storage situation. When designing a clothing storage system, it is important to think about both moisture and ventilation. You want your clothes to stay dry and well-ventilated to avoid mold, mildew, and the smells that come along with them. Keeping your closet and clothes aired out will help prevent the build up of musty odors.