You pull your favorite jeans out of the closet and they have that unmistakable damp, musty smell. It's frustrating and makes your clean clothes feel dirty before you even wear them.

To get rid of the wet denim smell, wash your jeans in cold water with a half cup of white vinegar¹ or a quarter cup of baking soda. Then, make sure to air dry them completely, as trapped moisture is the cause.

In my 20 years running the DiZNEW denim factory, moisture control is one of our biggest challenges. Raw denim arrives in massive, tightly wound rolls, and if any moisture gets trapped, mildew can set in, ruining thousands of dollars of fabric.

That same mildewy smell is what you're experiencing at home. It's caused by bacteria that thrive in the damp, thick cotton fibers² of your jeans. Fortunately, just as we have industrial solutions, you have some incredibly effective ones right in your kitchen.

How to get rid of wet jeans smell?

Your jeans smell musty even after they feel dry. You've tried washing them again, but that mildew scent just won't go away, making them unwearable.

For a light smell, simply air your jeans out in a well-ventilated area. For a persistent odor, wash them in cold water with white vinegar. This naturally neutralizes the bacteria causing the smell.

The solution depends entirely on how strong the smell is. The cause is always the same—bacteria breeding in moisture—but the treatment can range from simple to more intensive.

For a Mild, Musty Odor

If the smell is faint, a full wash is overkill. The best thing you can do is let air and light do the work for you. Hang your jeans outside in a breezy, sunny spot for a few hours.

The UV rays from the sun are a natural disinfectant, and the fresh air will carry away the odor molecules. If you have dark, raw denim, hang it in the shade or inside out to prevent the sun from fading the color. Even hanging them by an open window or in front of a fan indoors can work wonders.

For a Strong, Stubborn Smell

When the smell is deeply set in, you need to actively kill the bacteria. This is where a strategic wash comes in.

Additive	How to Use	Why it Works
White Vinegar	Add ½ cup to the fabric softener dispenser.	Its acetic acid breaks down mildew and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.
Baking Soda	Add ¼ cup directly into the drum with the jeans.	It's alkaline, helping to regulate pH and absorb and neutralize odors.
Tea Tree Oil	Add 5-6 drops to your liquid detergent.	It's a natural and powerful antifungal agent that kills mildew spores.

Always use a cold, gentle cycle, and never use commercial fabric softener, as it can leave a residue that traps more bacteria.

Why do my jeans smell even after washing?

You wash your jeans, but the moment they dry, that same mildew smell³ returns. You're confused and frustrated because the logic says washing should make them clean and fresh.

Your jeans still smell because a standard wash cycle often isn't enough to kill the mildew and bacteria embedded deep within the thick cotton fibers. If they aren't dried quickly and completely, the bacteria will simply multiply again.

This is a very common problem that I see even in a professional setting. The issue lies in three areas: the fabric, the wash, and the drying process. Denim is an incredibly dense and absorbent material.

The weave is so tight that it can hold onto moisture for a surprisingly long time, creating the perfect dark, damp environment for mildew to grow.

Your standard laundry detergent is great at removing dirt, but it’s not always formulated to kill these specific microorganisms. If you wash in warm water, you might even be making the problem worse by creating a cozier environment for them. The biggest mistake, however, is leaving the wet jeans in the washing machine for even an hour after the cycle finishes.

This is like putting them in an incubator. Bacteria can multiply incredibly fast. Then, if you don't dry them completely, the remaining moisture reactivates any surviving spores, and the smell comes right back. It's a cycle that can only be broken by killing the source and drying thoroughly.

How to get denim to stop smelling?

You are constantly battling that musty denim smell. You want to know how to prevent it from ever starting, so you can just enjoy wearing your favorite jacket and jeans.

To prevent denim from smelling, you need to focus on proper care between washes. Always air out your jeans after wearing them, wash them much less frequently, and ensure they are 100% dry before storing them.

Preventing the smell is far easier than removing it. It’s all about creating an environment where bacteria can't grow in the first place. This means reducing moisture and increasing air circulation.

• Wash Less, Air More: This is the golden rule. You don’t need to wash jeans after every wear. Unless they are visibly dirty, you can wear them 3, 5, or even 10 times. After each wear, don't just toss them in a hamper. Hang them over a chair or a hook overnight to let them breathe and release any moisture from your body.
• Dry Completely, Every Time: This is non-negotiable. After washing, your jeans must be bone dry before they go into a drawer or closet. Feel the seams and the waistband, as these are the thickest parts and the last to dry. Storing even slightly damp denim is a guarantee that it will smell musty next time you pull it out.
• Store Smartly: Don’t cram your jeans into an overstuffed closet with no air circulation. Give them some space. For long-term storage or in humid closets, using activated charcoal packets can be a game-changer. They naturally absorb moisture and odors from the air, keeping your denim fresh.

How long to soak smelly jeans in vinegar?

You've decided to try the vinegar soak for your really smelly jeans. You're ready to do it, but you don't know the right amount of time—too short might not work, too long might damage the fabric.

For a deep deodorizing treatment⁴, you should soak your smelly jeans in a vinegar solution for 30 to 60 minutes. This is long enough for the acid to neutralize the bacteria without harming the cotton fibers.

A vinegar soak is my go-to recommendation for rescuing denim with a really stubborn odor. It's a simple, powerful pre-treatment before a wash. Here’s the exact process to follow for perfect results.

First, find a clean bathtub, bucket, or sink. You need enough space for the jeans to be fully submerged. Next, create your solution. A good ratio is one part plain white vinegar to about five parts cold water. You don't need to be exact.

Fill the tub with enough cold water to cover the jeans completely, then pour in about one to two cups of vinegar. Submerge your jeans, turning them inside out first. Swirl them around to make sure the solution saturates every part of the fabric. Now, let them soak. Set a timer for anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. After the soak, you don't need to rinse them.

Just drain the water, gently squeeze out the excess, and put them directly into the washing machine for a regular cold-water cycle. The wash will completely remove any lingering vinegar smell, leaving them smelling neutral and clean.

Conclusion

To eliminate denim smell, use a vinegar or baking soda wash. Prevent it by washing less, airing more, and always drying completely. Proper care keeps your denim fresh and lasting longer.

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