To rewash clothes that have been left in the washer?

[PurpleCurtain]

Friend came round this evening in a pair of sports leggings that absolutely stank - really musty. She admitted that she has a tendency to leave clothes in the washer for 24 hours before getting round to tumble drying, which I would presume is what caused the smell. She sat on my sofa and then the end of my bed whilst she was here, and it's making me want to change the sheets and wash the cushions!

Personally I would always rewash things in that situation, or in general if my clothes still smell after drying - because I assumed that the musty smell was mould and that I therefore needed to from a health perspective (is it?). But is that what everyone else does? My friend is sure she's in the majority in not having time for that!

YANBU, I don’t like to leave clothes in the machine for longer than an hour. I would probably give them a quick 40 minute re-wash, but I think you washing your bedding is OTT unless she stank it out?

Deffo rewash but just quick one. It's one smell I can't stand, don't even like to put clothes on my skin when they smell foisty 🤢

I didn't know that clothes would smell bad if they'd been left in the machine for a day. I sometimes put a wash on in the morning and take it out in the evening or put a wash on in the evening and sort it out the next day. I've never had an issue with must.

I have left them in the machine for 10 hours before But didn’t notice a smell? I do use fabric conditioner which may have masked it?

Ewww yeah I always do a quick re wash if I've left a wash in a bit too long.

I'm happy to leave clothes in the machine for a few hours. Longer than that, I would rinse and spin again. If I accidentally leave a load in for 24hrs or longer I would fully rewash.

I agree with you that leaving clothes in the machine causes an unpleasant musty smell.

I think she's fibbing about the 24 hrs thing. 4 or 5 days maybe

I think certain types of materials are more prone to smelling - I have one brand of pyjamas that always seem to smell if I don't dry them the second the machine finishes.

I probably won't rewash my bedding as I can't still smell it but it was so overwhelming whilst she was here and I'm generally a bit paranoid about mould!

If she's doing it regularly her machine probably smells too, compounding the problem. Its really important to air the machine by leaving the door and powder drawer open after washing.

Yep, definitely. I really hate that musty smell! I've left clothes in there for around 5 hours before and they've started to smell. At that point, if I can line dry them on a nice day then I can save them, but if i have to put them on the airer indoors then it's touch and go, with a good chance I'll have to rewash.
Sometimes I find that if they're in need of a rewash, if I wash them when they're damp that they still smell, so I have to dry them and then re wash them, total pain in the arse!

I probably would yeah, but it’s not a health issue.

What health implications do you think there are from wearing clothes that have been left in the washer?

Seriously dudes, if your washing smells after a few hours left in the machine then you're overdue a maintenance wash. Stick half a bag of Epsom salts in the drum, chuck a few towels in and do a hot wash.

I accidently left a towel in my washer the other day, it got sort of stuck in the drum. I noticed it 4 days after I'd do the wash. It smelt like pond water.
I left it in with the next load and it came out fine tho.
So yeah a quick wash sorts it IME.

I always do a quick rewash.

I might try the Epsom Salts thing tomorrow though.

Ewwww rewash!! That smell is the worst, makes me feel sick

Yeah I always do a quick fast wash ( 30 mins) just to freshen them up as they will smell if they have been left wet in the machine for 24 hours.

Yeah it's a horrible smell! My friends clothes often smell like that and their towels. When I stay over I take my towel under the pretence that she has enough washing to do without another towel.

I do smell it on people out & about too, I think some people just don't have a good sense of smell
(Or get so used to it they don't notice)

If clothes aware left longer than normal in the machine, I might put on for a rinse and spin but not a full wash. I suspect the smell was not due to clothes just being left in the washer.

Yes it’s like a mouldy smell isn’t it .🤭

YANBU.
I only put washing on when I know I will have time to take it out as soon as it finishes (working from home, who ever thought laundry would be my break from work!).

I don't like clothes to smell musty, and doing an extra wash is a waste of water (but preferable to stinking clothes, which I don't get as I'd never leave them in the drum more than 30 minutes after wash ends).

I know that fusty musty smell of towels left in for too long, it's not nice.

@TheKeatingFive

I probably would yeah, but it’s not a health issue.

What health implications do you think there are from wearing clothes that have been left in the washer?

Well I assumed it was mould/ mildew and so I guess like any other exposure to them, increased asthma risks etc - so more a long term / routine exposure thing for those who wear clothes like that regularly!

Horrible smell, always rewash. Sometimes if I air dry and it takes too long, clothes smell and have to be re-washed.

It's when things aren't dried properly, the horrid wet dog smell.

I knew someone whose bathroom towels and cloths always had the smell.

Can't believe she actually went out in them knowing they were stinky.