Wet clothes left in laundry basket ggrrrrrrr!

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

My son, who is old enough to know better although he swears he had no idea this happens, left some absolutely soaking joggers and a t-shirt in his laundry basket when he got wet in a downpour recently. Now they and all the clothes they've come into contact with are stinking to high heaven with that mouldy smell you get on old dishcloths.

How can I put this right? I can't afford to just chuck the lot!

I'd try a wash first with bicarb if that doesn't work try disinfectant like Zoflora or dettol then a normal detergent wash. Good luck!

I've got rid of this before by using white vinegar instead of washing powder (a decent amount), then washing again with usual stuff... I had a pair of jeans that always did this and it always worked for me

Just washing them should work?

Disinfectant should work together with bio detergent. Dettol Laundry/ Supermarket Own Brand Laundry/ Zoflora/ even regular Dettol! If possible, preferably dry outside too, or tumble dry. It needs to dry relatively quickly after washing.

I put wet clothes in the wash basket and have never had an issue. They're not in there for long though.
Try dettol laundry detergent.

So have you tried washing them and they still smell?

You haven’t been throwing dishcloths out for getting that smell have you?

I always seem to have wet clothes / towels in our wash baskets , all come out smelling fresh after a wash.

Line dry them and then wash the lot in vinegar and your normal laundry detergent. They will be fine.

Just wash them ffs

Unless they are actually mouldy huff wash them as normal maybe at a higher temp but it’s probably a more damp smell than actual mould, not nice though. This would happen if my kids had their own basket rather than one in the hall shared by everyone. I put a scoop of gold top vanish oxy and Dettol washing detergent in my washes if they need it, all come out smelling fresh

@Anordinarymum

Just wash them ffs

Sorry this seems to have annoyed you Anordinarymum. Hope your day is improving.

Dish cloths can be bleached and hot washed. Not the same with jeans and t shirts. I went out and got some sports wash which seems to have done the trick along with a half cap of disinfectant. Thanks all.