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How long can you really leave laundry sitting in the washing machine – and the mould danger zone to avoid, warns expert
Mar 15, 2025
WE'VE all put on a load of laundry only to forget all about it, leaving the wet clothes sitting in the machine for hours after they've been cleaned.
But how long is too long to leave the wet clothes there before you really need to wash them again?
Hygiene and cleaning pro, Mary Futher, who goes my Madame Sweat on social media, has revealed all you need to know.
Taking to Instagram, the pro explained: "The rule of thumb generally is if you've left them sitting wet for more than 12 hours, that's the cut off point."
At this point, Mary said you'll need to rewash your clothes, and add a special ingredient to make sure the grim damp smell is completely gone.
"Use half a cup of baking soda with your detergent to get rid of the mould and mildew," she added.
After sharing her advice on Instagram, other cleaning fans shared their own advice for beating damp smells.
One said: "I always add some vinegar, makes my laundry smell fresher."
"Front loaders with a rubber ring: Never close the machine door, leave fully or half open to air, wipe the moisture from the rubber also between washes. Leave the laundry detergent drawer open too if possible," a second wrote.
And a third chimed in: "Smaller batches help with completion. Used to think getting it done in one big go was the way to go, but now I do small batches on quick wash and get it done quick."
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