Remove Funky Odors from Your Laundry in One Simple Step

Psst... hey! Want to know a secret? Even the most organized moms run into laundry troubles every now and then. Stubborn stains, wrinkles that just won't release, and strange scents plague even the toughest laundry vets. I never realized how much of my life would spent in the laundry room until I had children. I thought my laundry piles were bad as a mom of one, and they just multiplied like crazy after having two more children. It is what it is, and we all have to have clean clothes to wear, but one thing I can't get over is having weird scents in clothes or linens.

It happens- maybe something wasn't fully dry and got folded and shoved into a drawer. I have a teenage son, so that just opens up a whole new world of funky smells in clothes. I am pulling out toddler clothing that's been in storage for five years, in hopes that my youngest will be able to wear some of S' old clothes... but they smell a bit musty.

After three regular washes, those previously stored clothes still smelled musty. What to do? Wash in hot water and risk shrinking or colors running? Nope. My tried and true method for removing the stink from any fabric is simple.

Vinegar is my secret laundry room weapon!

Keep distilled white vinegar on hand in your laundry room... not just your pantry!

Fill the washing machine with water (cold for regular washing purposes, hot water for anything that requires a hot water wash). Add 1/2 cup of White Vinegar to the water. Next, add laundry detergent. Add the clothing to the washing machine, and soak for one hour. Continue with your regular wash and rinse cycle. Hang the clothing to dry. Even better if you can hang it outside on a sunny day and let the UV rays hit the clothing to kill off yucky stuff (bacteria that causes funky smells).

Fresh and clean laundry every time- thanks to vinegar in the wash!

I add vinegar to wash cycles for linens, towels, and clothing. It's just a simple laundry boost that gets the job done. If you feel like the vinegar alone doesn't cut it, try adding 1/4 cup of baking soda to your wash cycle, too.

I love a simple tip like this one!

Have you ever added vinegar to your laundry?

If you haven't give it a try and let us know what you think! Let's chat laundry in the comments- or join the conversation over on MBP's Facebook and Instagram. We can't wait to hear from you!