In Australia’s humid climate, especially if you live in Sydney, Brisbane, or anywhere near the coast, it’s not just a laundry problem. It’s an air problem. Moisture clings to fabrics like static electricity on a dry day. But the air here isn’t dry. It’s damp, heavy, and full of invisible water that your clothes absorb every day.
This guide is your simple, step-by-step plan to help you get rid of musty odors and prevent them from returning. We’ll dig into why it happens, how to fix it, and which tools (like an air dehumidifier or air mover) can finally have your clothes smelling fresh and clean forever.
Why Do My Clothes Smell Musty in the First Place?
If you’ve ever pulled a shirt from your closet only to be hit by that damp, stale smell. Australia’s humid climate, especially in cities like Sydney and Brisbane, creates the perfect storm for musty clothes.
When laundry doesn’t dry fast enough or sits in a room with little airflow, the dampness settles into the fibres. Even if your clothes look clean, that moisture becomes the breeding ground for mildew and odor-causing bacteria.
Wardrobes, especially ones against external walls, become micro-climates of trapped damp air. Add a few thick winter jackets or a closed door, and you’ve got yourself a mold magnet.
How to Remove Musty Smell from Clothes Instantly
Sun-dry whenever Possible
Sunshine is nature’s disinfectant. A few hours of direct sunlight not only dries your clothes but also kills mould spores and bacteria. Great for most of the year in Australia’s sunny coastal regions—though in wetter months, you’ll want backup from an air mover to help speed up indoor drying.
Soak With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Mix one cup of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda in warm water. Soak your clothes for at least 30 minutes. This neutralises odours and kills bacteria—not just masking the smell. Especially helpful in areas where the weather in Australia tends to stay humid for days.
Rewash Using Antibacterial Detergent
Use a detergent with antimicrobial properties. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for an extra freshness boost. Run the cycle on warm if the fabric allows. But if your laundry room feels muggy, an air dehumidifier can stop that damp smell from creeping right back in after the wash.
Clean Your Washing Machine
A dirty washer makes clean clothes smell dirty. Run an empty hot cycle with vinegar monthly. Don’t forget to clean the lint filter and detergent drawer. If you live in a high-humidity zone, using the best dehumidifier nearby can also keep mold from forming inside the washer itself.
Use Fabric-Safe Spray Fresheners
After drying, lightly spritz an antibacterial fabric spray. Focus on thicker areas like collars and cuffs. For long-term freshness, store clothes in a well-ventilated, dry space—and yes, a compact air dehumidifier in the wardrobe or closet can work wonders.
What If the Smell Still Doesn’t Go Away?
If the funk keeps coming back after every wash, the issue isn’t your laundry skills—it’s the air.
Humidity hangs in the air long after the rain stops. In many parts of Australia, especially during wet seasons, clothes can reabsorb moisture even after they’re fully dried. This happens a lot in poorly ventilated homes or storage spaces like basements, built-in wardrobes, and under-bed drawers.
Bring in an air dehumidifier. This isn’t some fancy extra—it’s a must-have for tackling the kind of persistent damp you get with the weather Australia throws at you. When you keep indoor humidity between 45% and 55%, you cut off the musty smell at the source.
Check the fabric. Cotton, linen, and other natural fibres love to soak up water—and they’re slow to dry. If something has sat damp for too long, it might be beyond saving. Mould can get deep into the threads, and no amount of soaking will undo the damage. Sometimes, tossing it is the cleaner choice.
In especially stubborn spaces—like enclosed laundries or wardrobes—adding an air mover can also help boost airflow and dry things faster. Pair that with the best dehumidifier for your room size, and you’ve got a serious defense line against recurring odors.
How to Prevent Clothes from Getting Musty Again
You don’t want to repeat this cycle every few weeks. So how do you stay ahead of the smell?
Dry Clothes Completely Before Storing
Seems obvious, but in rainy seasons, even “dry” clothes can still hold 10–15% moisture. Touch the armpits and seams. If they’re cool, they’re still damp.
Use Moisture Absorbers In Your Wardrobe
Silica gel, charcoal packs, or dehumidifying hangers help absorb excess moisture. But they’re short-term fixes.
Place A Compact Air Dehumidifier In Your Wardrobe Or Laundry
These little devices work quietly in the background, drawing moisture from the air. Ideal for enclosed spaces with poor circulation.
Improve Airflow With An Air Mover
Especially in storage rooms or basements. An air mover speeds up drying by circulating air quickly. Pair it with a dehumidifier for the full combo.
Why a Dehumidifier Is the Real Game-Changer
If the air in your home is constantly humid, no amount of detergent, spraying, or soaking will solve the problem. Then you need a good quality dehumidifier that can extract up to 20-25 liters of moisture from the air and keep the relative humidity stable at between 45% and 55%, preventing mold and mildew from forming on clothes, furniture, and walls, and protecting electronics, books, shoes, and floors.
An air dehumidifier is a must-have in homes near the coast or with poorly ventilated subfloors, such as many in Sydney’s inner-west or in Brisbane’s Bay suburbs.
Conclusion
Tired of doing two loads of laundry and not smelling mold? Stop treating the symptoms. Start by addressing the air. Controlling humidity is the only long-term way to eliminate odors, protect fabrics, and ensure your laundry room doesn’t resemble a swamp. With the right air dehumidifier or a powerful air mover for larger spaces, you can get rid of moisture for good.
Looking for the best dehumidifier for moldy clothes and damp rooms? Take a look at our dehumidifiers designed for Australia’s changeable weather and trust us with the Alorair brand.
