Sweet_Smells

 Not sure about all this; I could end up smelling like a bag of potatoe chips...

Copilot:

It's been terribly wet and humid for days. I take out my t-shirts for a sunny day and everything smells musty. Would putting them in the dryer on the 'air' setting with a dryer sheet help, or would that just contaminate the dryer...?

Short answer: yes, the dryer on “air” (no heat) with a dryer sheet can help, and no, it won’t contaminate your dryer — as long as the shirts aren’t actively mildewed. But it’s only a partial fix. Let me give you the full picture so you don’t end up chasing that musty smell for days.

🌦️ Why your shirts smell musty right now

With the humidity you’ve had in Québec this week, fabrics absorb moisture from the air even while sitting clean in a drawer or closet. That “musty” smell is usually:

Damp fibers + stale air

A tiny bit of surface mildew starting (not visible yet)

Or detergent residue reactivating in humidity

This is super common in long wet spells.

🌀 Will the dryer on “air” help?

Yes — it will freshen them.  

The air cycle tumbles the shirts and pushes dry air through the fibers, which:

Removes the dampness causing the smell

Loosens any stale odor

Doesn’t heat-set anything unpleasant

A dryer sheet will add a pleasant scent, but it won’t “contaminate” the dryer. The dryer is designed to handle much worse (wet towels, gym clothes, pet bedding).

BUT: this only works if the smell is mild. If the odor is stronger, the dryer will just mask it.

🧺 When you need more than the dryer

If the mustiness is noticeable or keeps coming back, do this instead:

1. Rewash with a cup of white vinegar

Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle or directly into the drum.

Vinegar kills the early mildew smell and cuts detergent residue.

2. Dry them fully — even if it takes longer

Humidity makes dryers less efficient. Make sure they’re bone dry.

3. Add airflow to your closet/drawers

A small sachet of baking soda or cedar helps prevent the smell from returning.

🧴 Quick “emergency freshen” options (no rewashing)

If you want to wear the shirt today:

Dryer on air with a dryer sheet (your idea — totally fine)

10 minutes in the dryer with a damp washcloth + a splash of vinegar  

(the vinegar evaporates, taking the smell with it)

Hang in direct sun for 30–60 minutes  

Sunlight is a natural deodorizer and kills mildew spores

🌼 My recommendation for your situation

Given the weather you’ve had and the fact you’re dealing with multiple shirts at once, I’d do:

Dryer on air for 10–15 minutes to see if the smell lifts.

If they still smell musty, rewash with vinegar — that’s the only method that truly resets the fabric.

If you want, I can help you set up a humidity-proof clothing routine so this stops happening every time Québec turns into a rainforest.

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