musty smell on laundry

[hatwoman]

I think the cause is our new f$%^ing utility room - not enough air circulates so clothes take too long to dry. bluddy marvellous. got a utility room but still need to clutter the house up with drying clothes.

but I didn;t post to rant. rather how do I get rid of it? some things seem to be getting worse - it develops slowly - put clean pillow cases on the day before yesterday - they were fine. last night they wree really whiffy. anyone know of any solutions?

i've just started to use essential oils on my laundry and it works brillianlty so far- just put 5-6 drops in the fab cond drawer and the washing comes out smelling lovely and SHOULD stay that way! Lavender, sweet orange etc are good, and our bathroom towels get treated to spearmint !

Put clean pillow cases 'on' what? Is there a hanger in your utility room? I think laundry gets that musty smell when it doesn't dry out properly. Or do you mean on the pillows? When they were dry?

Very very high impact and smelly conditioner maybe? Clothes that dry naturally still smell of the conditioner but those that go in a tumbledrier lose that conditioner smell.

Does this make any sense at all? lol.

I meant on the pillows.

yes it's definbitely due to slow drying. but once the smell is there it doesn't just go away by washing and drying it properly - it still lingers. I think I'm going to try some essential oil

Good idea nearlythere, is that pure(neat) oil or diluted in a base oil like you do for massage?

no neat essential oils- just a few drops as they are pretty strong!
Bedlinen- lavender, def relaxes!

do you use the oils instead of the conditioner?

I have the same problem with a duvet and pillow - i have rewashed 2 or 3 times and it still honks - i'm trying to air it outside now. Let me know how you get on.

i will admit that i still use fab cond on the linen (matching the smells!) the essential oils are far stronger than just conditioner so will last longer- i've had washing on the line in the rain for 2 days and it still smells of lavender!

Hi Hatwoman,
don't know if your still watching this thread but I'll post just incase.
I have /had this problem too. Recently went online to get tips on getting rid of smell.
I have had a t-shirt that has been smelling for ages and no amount of airing etc helped. Aparently it's the mold in the clothes that starts to smell. What has worked for me is putting it in the tumble dryer after the last couple of washes (with bounce sheet). Whether the bounce is masking it or not - i don't care because I don't smell the musty smell!
Does this make sense? Tyoing fast so I can go and watch Big Bro!
Hope this helps, hope you have a tumble dryer!!!!