What to do if you left clothes in the washer overnight
Running a home can be a juggling act, and sometimes switching clothes to the dryer gets lost in the shuffle. Read on to learn how long clothes can stay fresh in the washer and what to do if you left laundry in the washer overnight, then discover tips for keeping your clothes and washer smelling fresh.
How long can you leave wet clothes in the washer?
A few factors can influence how long clothes can sit in the washer, including the load’s soil level, the water temperature, the type and amount of detergent you use and more. Nearly everyone has put a load of clothes in the washer and forgotten about it, letting it sit far longer than they’d intended. Usually, a few hours doesn’t hurt. But, one way to decide between drying or rewashing is to sniff a handful of items. If any have an odor, give the whole load another go in the washer before drying.
What happens if you leave clothes in the washer for too long?
Leaving wet clothes in the washer for a few hours happens to everyone, but if they sit too long, you may risk mold and mildew developing. This not only affects your clothes, but the smell can also transfer to your washer, adding frustration to your laundry routine.
How to get smells out of clothes left in the washer overnight
If you left clothes in the washer overnight, you may need to freshen them up before drying. A quick rewash may be all you need. Or, for a more thorough refresh of your laundry, run the same load on another full cycle and try adding a presoak option to help combat stubborn odors. Get more tips with our our guide to wash mildewy-smelling clothes.
If you notice a strong smell in the washer after leaving your clothes in it overnight, you may need to look at your washer, not your wardrobe. Some washers can develop an odor when they’re not occasionally cleaned out, and that odor may transfer to your clothes during a wash cycle. If your washer smells once clothes have been removed, it may be time to clean your washer.
Help keep your clothes fresh in the washer after a cycle with Select Whirlpool® washers featuring the FreshFlow™ Vent System. The FanFresh® Option uses a built-in fan and periodic tumbling to keep your just-washed clothes fresh until they're ready for the dryer, using less energy than you would re-washing your clothes.1
Tips to keep your clothes and washer smelling fresh
Keeping your washer and clothes smelling fresh is a breeze when you integrate a few simple practices into your laundry routine. See the tips below to help keep odors out of your washer and away from your clothes.
Clean your washer regularly: Cleaning your washer with products like affresh® Washer Cleaner2 can help remove odor-causing residues. Always refer to your owner’s manual for guidance on the best way to clean your washer.
Use the right detergent: If you have a high-efficiency washer, make sure you only use high-efficiency detergent marked with an “HE” on the packaging. Regular detergent can cause too many soap suds in low water levels, leading to residue build-up that can cause odors.
- Use the right amount of detergent: Too much detergent can also lead to residue build-up, but some products, like Swash® Laundry Detergent3, can help limit residue and other build-up. Swash® detergent features an Auto-Stop Top that stops dispensing detergent automatically when you have the right amount.
Open the lid: Keep the door or lid open in between cycles to give the drum time to dry completely.
Look for washers designed with freshness in mind: When it’s time for an upgrade, keep an eye out for washers engineered to help keep mildew at bay. Select Whirlpool® Washers include the FreshFlow™ Vent System, the first fan-powered system with antimicrobial protection designed to help keep your clothes and washer fresh. Plus, these washers include an antimicrobial rubber seal along with the Dry Drum Cycle that reduces excess moisture in the drum, rubber gasket and door after you take clothes out.
Use specialty cycles and options: Some washers offer cycles and settings that make sure your laundry is ready whenever you are, so your clothes don’t sit stagnant. For instance, the Schedule Wash cycle on select Whirlpool® Washers lets you use the Whirlpool® App to tell the washer when you’ll be home, so you can start and end the cycle on your schedule.4
Explore Whirlpool® Washers & Dryers
Whirlpool® Washers make it easy to keep clothes fresh while they wait for the dryer. Select models feature an antimicrobial rubber seal that helps prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria and mold. And, with Advanced Moisture Sensing on select Whirlpool® Dryers, three sensors detect both moisture and temperature to help prevent over-drying.
Was this article helpful? Pass it on
Discover more from Whirlpool brand
home heartbeat
Ready for more tips, home hacks and appliance guides?
1. Based on rewashing an 8 lb load on Normal cycle.
2. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
3. Swash® and the recommending brands are owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
4. Appliance must be set to remote enable. WiFi & App required. Features subject to change. Details and privacy info at whirlpool.com/connect.
