February 16, 2025, 5:41 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
To feel comfortable in your own bed, it should smell fresh. If this is not the case, you should, of course, put fresh bed linen on it. But what should you do if the bed linen in your linen cupboard smells musty? The possible causes and how to avoid the bad smell.
There is hardly a cozier place than your own bed – especially when it is freshly made. The smell and feel of freshly laundered bed linen is incomparable. However, this joy quickly fades if the bed linen stored in the closet emits an unpleasant odor. Despite careful washing with fragrant detergent and fabric softener, you have musty-smelling bed linen. What can you do about it?
Overview
Why Bed Linen in the Closet Has a Musty Smell
Either the bed linen itself or the wardrobe can be responsible for the unpleasant, musty smell. Older pieces of furniture, in particular, can give off a strange smell over the years, which can also be transferred to the bed linen. It is best to check the wardrobe or chest of drawers for mold stains. Mold develops when it is damp. If you find mold, you should not only remove it with vinegar essence but also ensure that the cabinet is dry.
Unheated rooms are not a suitable place to put furniture. Additionally, ensure that the cabinet is not positioned too close to the wall. Regular cleaning is recommended to maintain the furniture. For this purpose, not only are special wood oils suitable, but also commercially available vinegar essence diluted with warm water. Essential oils not only provide a pleasant fragrance but also disinfect the surfaces. It is crucial to let the closet dry completely before restocking it with bed linen.
Moisture Leads to Musty-Smelling Bed Linen
If the bed linen smells even without a musty closet, moisture is usually the cause. It is not uncommon to take the laundry off the line when it is still slightly damp. Sometimes, however, it is also difficult to tell whether the bed linen is still damp or simply cool. If in doubt, it is better to leave them hanging on the line for longer.
Incidentally, laundry from the tumble dryer can still contain moisture. Slightly damp laundry neatly folded in the cupboard is the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. In addition to the moisture, the pleasant temperature and lack of air supply also provide the ideal conditions for germs to multiply.
To avoid unpleasant odors in the future, bed linen should only be folded and stored dry. Laundry dries most effectively in the open air. Light-colored items of clothing can be hung in the sun. During rainy weather or in winter, a heated room is an ideal location for a drying rack. If you iron your bed linen, wait until it is completely cool before folding and placing it in the closet.
Clean the Washing Machine Regularly
The washing machine can also contribute to a musty odor in bed linen. For this reason, the washing machine should be cleaned regularly. Don’t forget the rubber seal and the lint filter. Not only do fibers collect here, but also water. Vinegar essence is again suitable for cleaning the machine. A cloth and toothbrush can also be used to remove deposits and mold from all cracks and grooves.
Washing your laundry at 30 degrees Celsius can save energy and money. However, these temperatures do not remove the bacteria in the washing machine. It is recommended to run the washing machine through at least 60 degrees Celsius to kill germs and bacteria. It’s also important to keep the machine door open after the wash cycle to promote drying. This allows the drum to dry.
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Keeping Bed Linen Smelling Fresh for a Long Time
For bed linen to retain a fresh and pleasant scent over time, thorough drying is essential. To absorb extra moisture in the closet, consider placing a bowl filled with rice inside the closet. You can also put the rice in laundry bags and place them between the bed linen. The rice absorbs any residual moisture. To achieve a pleasant aroma in the cabinet, place a jar of coffee grounds inside. Coffee neutralizes bad smells. Additionally, a bar of soap can help maintain the freshness of your bed linen’s scent.
If the bed linen already has a strong odor, soaking it in baking powder or baking soda can help. Afterward, wash as usual, and the unpleasant odor should be eliminated. Baking soda does not have a bleaching effect, making it safe for use with colored fabrics.