December 9, 2025, 9:52 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Black clothing is timelessly elegant, versatile, and a staple in many wardrobes. The problem: After washing, dark textiles often smell musty more frequently than light ones. Why this happens and what can help, an expert explains upon myHOMEBOOK’s inquiry.
Does Dark Clothing Really Smell Unpleasant More Often?
“Yes, the issue of something not smelling fresh after washing is most likely to occur with dark textiles,” confirms Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW). According to the expert, the cause often lies in the washing method. It is advisable not to use detergents with bleach and to set a maximum washing temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. Since laundry is often washed at low temperatures, certain odor-causing residues remain in the clothes.
Additionally, according to Dr. Glassl, dark textiles are often dirtier than they appear at first glance. An example is black socks, where dirt is less visible. A higher degree of soiling can promote odor formation. Therefore, it may help to select a pre-wash and possibly an additional rinse cycle. “If that doesn’t help, a hygiene rinse instead of fabric softener in the final rinse can eliminate bad odors.”
How to Make Black Laundry Fresh Again
To prevent freshly washed clothes from smelling unpleasant, Dr. Glassl recommends the following measures:
- Remove laundry as soon as the wash cycle ends, hang it to dry, or place it in the dryer.
- Leave the washing machine door or lid open after removing the laundry. Additionally, pull out the detergent drawer to allow moisture to escape.
- Wash white or light-colored laundry at higher temperatures (60 degrees Celsius) at least once or twice a month. Glassl advises using a full or universal detergent in powder, granulate, or tablet form “to prevent the spread of biofilms in the residual water of the washing machine.”
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Proper Detergent Dosage
Regular cleaning of the washing machine itself also helps to avoid bad odors, as does the correct dosage of detergent: “Check if you have used enough detergent!” advises the expert. The instructions on the packaging refer to 4.5 kilograms of white or colored laundry or 2.5 kilograms of delicate laundry, each in a dry state.
How to Accurately Determine Laundry Weight
If you’re unsure how much clothing is actually in the drum, you can find out in a few steps. Simply stand on a scale once with the full laundry basket and once with it empty—the difference is the weight of the textiles.