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!

Growing up we only had one fire in the house and no other heating. In wet weather mum had to dry clothes on an surer which could take ages . I was mortified when a boyfriend told me my clothes smelt foisty I must have been used to it. I do give a quick rewash if clothes smell .

I’m obsessed with line drying outside almost immediately the machine stops - for this very reason.

I wonder if some people can’t smell it.

I really can and, as pp say, if washing has taken too long to dry I can’t stand smelling that it’s “on the turn” to smelling damp. Once that smell is properly in fabric it’s very hard to get out, I find. I genuinely think some people can’t smell it (and then go out wearing mouldy clothes that their body heats up and even more of the smell is released

I have to get washing straight out of the machine when the load finishes - some fabrics (heavy ones or sports fabrics or weirdly some jersey) seem to quickly start smelling if not aired/dried.

I put a wash on before bed and put in dryer in morning sometimes late morning sometimes even afternoon and they always smell fresh.. I think it takes at least 24 hours before that smell comes

Obviously, it’s not always easy drying washing in the UK - not everyone can afford a drier or has outdoor drying space (even if our weather did get warm enough to reliably dry stuff).

I can smell my neighbour’s damp washing across the garden when it’s on the line - so he must leave it sitting around after washing before hanging it out…

My husband often “hangs” thick polo shots up badly so the collars etc are not straightened out and too many things are cramped in together - they dry so slowly they get that smell.
He won’t be told so I mostly leave him to it.

@SpacePotato

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.

Yes wet dog smell, that's it!

I always rewash if I've forgotten to empty, or clothes come out stinking. Like someone said earlier, it's usually a sign I need to do a maintenance wash

@Aprilx

When I have left something in the washing machine for too long, I have put it on the 15 minute quick wash. But I have never noticed a smell and not even after 24 hours, which has happened. I think she must have left them in there for days. I am curious, did you actually discuss her smelly clothes? 😊

Yes, we did discuss it - she brought it up as apparently hadn't realised it was her/ how bad it was until she actually got to mine. Insists never goes longer than 24 hours (as I think is in the routine of putting a load on every morning before breakfast, so would notice), but PPs might be right in that it's the combination of this, the material, and her not doing enough to maintain her machine!

I take washing out the machine promptly but if the weather isn't suitable to hang it outside, I find some clothing (like some thicker cotton pyjamas) get this smell whenever they are dried indoors. I use a dehumidifier on laundry setting but still get the smell...

Jesus, I can't believe this one has been picked up by the press!

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Were you aware, @purplecurtain?

Jesus, I can't believe this one has been picked up by the press!

They are scraping the barrel of the machine drum.

Blimey must be a slow news day

That sour bacterial smell can also take hold if laundry takes too long to dry, such as if laundry is left to dry indoors or is hung on radiators.
This is why I don't think twice about taking laundry to the launderette for drying if the weather doesn't permit quick line drying outdoors.

This stuff is good for getting the pong out of sweaty gym socks, so it might work for washing that has sucked up stink in a washing machine.
www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/all-detergents---washing-powder/halo-sports-laundry-liquid-1l-25-washes-
I agree with everyone else saying she needs to run the machine cleaning cycle on her washing machine more often, especially if she normally washes on very low temperatures.