Drying clothes in the sun - how come it comes back smelling weird?

paul34 · 07-13-07, 11:03

To any of you who use clothes lines, or wear stuff like cotton t-shirts outside, have you noticed there's a strange, undesirable odor that happens to the shirt?

It smells sort of like BO... and no, it's not me

.

Often, when I get the clothes from outside, it has that sort of scent... its hard to describe, but I've never liked it. It's not so much like BO, but it's there. Seems to go away after a while indoors.

bigfoot · 07-13-07, 01:00

It might be something in the water. In Puerto Rico, you will rarely see a dryier in a house because the sun is the main drying method, and it has never happened about a strange or bad odor on the clothes, They do get toasty, but nothing beynd that. Check the water, you might be surprised.

Yal · 07-13-07, 01:07

I agree, its probably the water.

mikebai1990 · 07-15-07, 07:10

Hm.. I've never noticed any special odor when we leave the clothes hanging out in the sun.. The only thing I notice is that the clothes are sometimes crinkly and are stiff.

evilWagon · 07-16-07, 09:00

I'd suspect that your clothes are sitting for a while after being washed before they get to the line, (or aren't drying fast enough and hang wet outside).

I think what you're smelling is Mildew and I've forgotten clothes in the washer before and I know the smell you're talking about. Happens with thick fabrics more in my experience.