Post-Summer Textiles: Getting Rid of Damp, Mould and Musty Smell
By TaVare · updated 2026-09-23
Textiles after summer often carry damp and a musty smell from the cabin, the cellar or a tightly packed storage bag. The fix is rarely to throw them out: dry them fully, air them in the sun, and wash away the smell and light mildew marks. Here is the method you can do yourself, and the signs that tell you when a garment is better left to a professional.
Why textiles smell and grow mould after summer
Damp, warmth and poor airflow are all mould needs. If clothes, bedding or outerwear have sat in a damp cabin, cellar or a tightly packed bag through the summer, mould grows on the fibres – often on residue of body oils, sweat and food you cannot see. It is the mould that gives the characteristic musty smell, and at worst it also leaves stains. The good news is that most textiles can be saved if you deal with it straight away.
Dry everything out fully first – and air it in the sun
Mould thrives on moisture, so the first step is always to dry the textiles completely. Take them outside, shake loose any surface mould outdoors, and hang them airily – ideally in direct sunlight, which both dries and works naturally against mould.
- Shake and brush off visible mould outdoors, not inside – mould spores spread easily in a room.
- Hang the garments with plenty of space so air reaches both sides.
- Leave them in sun and wind for a few hours; sunlight lightly bleaches and slows the mould.
- Make sure the textiles are bone dry before you wash them or put them away again.
Wash away musty smell and light mildew marks
Once the textiles are dry and aired, a wash does the rest. The method depends on the fibre: sturdy cotton and linen tolerate a lot, while wool and silk must be treated gently.
- Cotton and linen: wash as warm as the care label allows, and add oxygen bleach or a splash of household vinegar to the water – both counteract mould and smell.
- Wool, silk and delicates: wash cold on a wool programme with a mild detergent, and skip bleach entirely.
- If the musty smell lingers after washing, let the garment air-dry in the sun another day before trying again.
- If a mildew mark is still visible on a coloured or delicate garment, stop – pushing further can set the stain or strip the colour.
Re-proof outerwear that has sat damp
Outerwear that has lain damp, or that you have just washed, often loses much of its water-repellency. Before the autumn rain arrives, do a drop test: sprinkle a little water on the shoulders. If it beads and rolls off, the proofing is good; if it soaks in and darkens the fabric, the jacket should be washed clean and re-proofed. Then it is ready for the season again instead of being left aside.
When should textiles go to a professional?
If the garment is expensive, delicate or has sentimental value – a wool coat, a silk dress, an inherited blanket – and the mould has set in or left stains, do not risk it with home methods. You can send it to us, and we help you across Norway. We clean according to the garment and its care label, so the treatment is correct and gentle, and we can re-proof the outerwear in the same round. You order online, and you see the price before you order.
You see the price before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my clothes smell musty after summer?+
Because mould has grown on the fibres in damp and warmth, often on invisible residue of sweat and body oils. It is the mould that smells. Dry the garment fully, air it in the sun and wash it – the smell usually disappears.
Can I remove mildew marks myself?+
On sturdy cotton and linen you often can, with oxygen bleach and sunlight. On coloured fabric, wool or silk the risk of setting the stain or stripping the colour is high – there you should spot-test carefully or send the garment to be cleaned.
Does sunlight help against mould?+
Yes. Sunlight dries the textile and works naturally against mould, and lightly bleaches faint marks. Hang the garment airily outside for a few hours – but brush off visible mould outdoors first, so you do not spread spores inside.
What should I send to be cleaned?+
Delicate and valuable garments with mould that has set in – wool coats, silk, heirlooms – and anything you do not want to risk at home. We clean according to the care label and can re-proof in the same round, and you see the price before you order.
Ready to fix it?