What to do with clothes left in the washer overnight

How long can wet clothes be left in the washer?

Who hasn’t put a load of clothes in the washer only to forget about it? How long wet clothes can sit in the washer depends on a few factors, including but not limited to: 

• The load’s soil level
• The water temperature
• The type and amount of detergent 

Usually, a few hours won’t hurt the clothes, but the best way to decide if they should move to the dryer or be washed again is to sniff some of the items. If any have a distinct odour, it’s recommended to wash the load again and then dry immediately.

What should you do if you leave clothes in the washer for too long?

If wet clothes sit for too long in the washer, there is a risk that mould and/or mildew will form. This affects your clothes and can transfer to your washer.

How to remove the odour in clothes that were left in the washer overnight

Clothes left in the washer overnight may need a quick rewash before heading to the dryer. Often, this is enough to get rid of the unwanted smell. If the smell lingers or is particularly strong, you may need to run the same load on another full cycle with a presoak option. 

If there’s a strong odour in your washing machine after your clothes have been left overnight, then the issue may be with your appliance and not the load of laundry. Odours can develop in certain washers if you don’t perform an occasional cleaning, and can potentially transfer to your clothes as they’re being washed. Clean your washer to help remove any odours or prevent them from developing. 

Select Whirlpool^® washers have the FreshFlow™ Vent System, which helps keep clothes fresh in the washer after a cycle. The FanFresh^® Option uses the combination of a built-in fan and periodic tumbling to keep recently washed clothes fresh until you’re ready to transfer them to the dryer. Furthermore, it uses less energy than running another full wash cycle.¹

Tips to keep your clothes and washing machine smelling fresh

Use these tips to help keep your clothes smelling fresh and to help prevent odours from developing in your washer and clinging to your clothes.

• Clean your washer routinely: Cleaning your washer with products like affresh^® Washer Cleaner² can help remove odours and the residues that can cause them. It’s recommended to always consult your owner’s manual for specific information and instructions on how to clean your washer.
• Use the correct detergent: If you have a high-efficiency washer, you should only use high-efficiency detergent, which is denoted with an “HE” on the packaging. Regular detergent can result in too many soap suds in low water levels, causing residue build-up that can produce unpleasant odours.
• Keep the door or lid open: Always keep the door or lid open between cycles to allow the drum to thoroughly dry. 
• Use the correct amount of detergent: Too much detergent can cause residue build-up. Some products, like Swash^® Laundry Detergent³, can help limit residue and prevent build-up. Swash^® detergent has an Auto-Stop Top that stops dispensing detergent once you’ve reached the correct amount.
• Use specialty cycles and options: Select washers have cycles and settings that coordinate your clothes being ready whenever it is convenient for you. For example, the Schedule Wash cycle, available on select Whirlpool^® Washers, gives you access to the Whirlpool^® App, allowing you to communicate with your washer, so you can start and end the cycle on your schedule.⁴
• Shop for washing machines that prioritize freshness: If you’re looking to upgrade your washers, shop for models that can help prevent mildew from developing. Select Whirlpool^® Washers feature the FreshFlow™ Vent System, the first fan-powered system with antimicrobial protection engineered to help maintain the freshness of your clothes and washer. These appliances also include an antimicrobial rubber seal along with the Dry Drum Cycle to help reduce excess moisture in the drum, door, and rubber gasket once clothes have been removed.

Explore Whirlpool^® Washers & Dryers

Whirlpool^® Washers keep clothes fresh while they wait for you to transfer them to the dryer. Select models are equipped with an antimicrobial rubber seal that helps prevent odour-causing bacteria and mould from developing. The Advanced Moisture Sensing, available on select Whirlpool^® Dryers, uses three sensors to detect moisture and temperature to help prevent over-drying from occurring.