October 23, 2026, 10:11 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Freshly washed, neatly folded, and properly stored: Ideally, bed linens should smell fresh in the closet for weeks. It’s all the more annoying when they suddenly smell musty or slightly moldy the next time you use them. Many suspect a poorly ventilated closet or high humidity in the bedroom. However, the cause often lies elsewhere—and occurs long before the bed linens end up in the closet. myHOMEBOOK explains what’s behind musty bed linens.
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Why Bed Linens Can Smell Musty Despite Washing
If bed linens develop a musty smell in the closet, microorganisms are often to blame. They can survive the wash cycle and become active later. “Musty odors in textiles are caused by microorganisms that survived the washing process,” explains Elke Messerschmidt from the Competence Center for Home Economics. When the germs are reactivated by residual moisture or humidity, they begin to decompose detergent residues, skin particles, or textile fibers, producing substances perceived as musty or moldy.
To prevent this, the number of germs should be reduced as much as possible during washing.
Mistakes That Promote Musty Odors
According to Messerschmidt, odor problems often arise from several small mistakes during washing and drying.
Bed Linens Are Washed Too Cold
Many people wash their bed linens at low temperatures, which can result in not all microorganisms being removed. “For example, bed linens are only washed at 30 degrees; germs survive,” says the expert. Therefore, she recommends washing bed linens at 60 degrees.
Also interesting: How often experts say you should really wash your bed linens
The Wrong Detergent Is Used
The choice of detergent also plays an important role. “Especially for bed linens, pajamas, and underwear, a powdered all-purpose detergent should be used,” explains Messerschmidt. The reason: “Only this contains bleach, which kills germs.”
Bed Linens Dry Too Slowly
A long drying process can also be problematic, such as when laundry hangs in a damp basement for several days.
“Laundry should be dry within 24 hours,” says Messerschmidt. A dryer or drying in fresh air during summer can be helpful. Additionally, sunlight can assist, as UV radiation also reduces germ load.
Laundry Is Left in the Washing Machine
Leaving bed linens in the drum for several hours after washing creates favorable conditions for microorganisms. According to the expert, laundry should be hung up or placed in the dryer as soon as the program ends.
Related: The right bed linens for every season
What Role Does the Closet Play?
While the cause often lies in washing or drying, the closet shouldn’t be completely ignored. “It’s conceivable that high humidity in the closet contributes to the development of negative odors,” says Messerschmidt. This can happen, for example, if textiles are stored while still slightly damp.
Overfilled closets can also be problematic. If textiles are packed tightly together, air circulation is restricted, allowing odors to settle more easily. It’s also worth checking the closet itself. If it already smells musty, mold may have formed on the back wall.
What Helps Against Odors in the Closet?
If the closet itself smells unpleasant, the expert recommends emptying it completely and wiping it down with a diluted vinegar or citric acid solution.
Dry coffee grounds can also help with existing odors. “You can place coffee grounds in a dish in the empty closet. It absorbs unpleasant odors,” says Messerschmidt.
Which Materials Are Particularly Susceptible?
Not all bed linens are equally sensitive to odor formation.
“Textiles made from polyester, including microfiber, have a stronger problem because these textiles can’t be washed at high temperatures,” explains Messerschmidt. Cotton and other materials that can withstand higher washing temperatures have an advantage here.
What About Lavender and Cedarwood?
Scent sachets with lavender or cedarwood are popular home remedies for unpleasant odors in the closet. According to the expert, they don’t solve the actual problem. “They cover up; the cause usually lies elsewhere,” says Messerschmidt.
They can still be useful: Lavender and cedarwood help protect wool textiles from moths. The expert advises against additional scented perfumes for laundry, as they merely mask odors and are critically viewed from a sustainability perspective.
Related: Clothes moths! How to get rid of the pests
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Is Musty Bed Linen a Health Risk?
Using bed linens with a musty smell doesn’t automatically pose health risks. “I have no studies showing that people have become ill due to musty-smelling laundry,” says Messerschmidt. Nevertheless, it is a hygiene issue, as microorganisms multiply. Additionally, many people find the smell unpleasant.
Three Tips to Keep Bed Linens Smelling Fresh
To ensure bed linens smell fresh even after weeks in the closet, Messerschmidt recommends three main measures:
- Wash bed linens at 60 degrees
- Use powdered all-purpose detergent
- Dry bed linens completely and as quickly as possible
Only when the textiles are truly dry should they be folded and stored. For persistent odor problems, the expert also suggests ironing or mangling the bed linens.