Mildew on dark clothes

[Iwishiwereamillionaire]

I’m driving myself mad trying to sort this problem. A few months ago a load of washing started to smell like mildew, only once it was dried and being worn could you smell it.
Since discovering this I’ve repeatedly washed the clothes on 60 (if possible), added vinegar or antibacterial in wash, I always use nonbiological powder, I’ve also tried an oxy powder too.
They’re dark clothes so can’t use bleach.

I’ve always cleaned my machine monthly on high with a cleaner. The machine doesn’t smell of it so is definitely the clothes!

Ordinarily I’d dry my clothes outside on the line but the last few months it’s not been that often so I’ve been using the tumble dryer or heated airer and they’re definitely dry before putting away.

How do I get rid of the mildew smell?! I have a very sensitive nose so maybe it’s now in my head, my husband has virtually no sense of smell so no help!

Whilst the clothes are not expensive I really don’t want to chuck them as apart from the smell there’s nothing wrong with them.
So frustrating… any advice I’ve not already tried?

Thanks for reading this essay!

If you're still there OP did you ever get a solution? This could have been me and it's driving me mad. I've been doing vinegar etc for weeks now and thought I'd cracked it but this morning I went to use pillowcases I'd washed and thoroughly dried last week and they smell of mildew again.

Is it definitely from the washer? Where do you hang them? We have an upstairs cupboard that we found out later has damp and ruined a load of my clothes and DH’s suits.

At first I thought it was the washer! Have you had it serviced would be a thought? If not is it possible to cut your losses and get a new one?

I gave the washer an empty hot wash with descaler/machine cleaner a few weeks ago and thought it was improved but out of the blue it's back. The items didn't get as far as a cupboard, just folded and sitting in a dry/warm room. It's only some items in the load - cotton pillowcases and a towel. The other half of the load also contains cotton towels, was treated exactly the same and is fine.

Sort of… I’ve continued to wash as hot as I can but I’ve doubled the vinegar or antibacterial in wash I use when washing those clothes. In my op I said I use non bio which is wrong I meant bio!
the last few weeks I’ve been putting the washing back out on the line hoping the uv and sunshine will kill the smell…. Problem is I’ve since had Covid and lost my smell so I’m not 100% sure if it’s working or not 😁