Laundry room habits that keep holiday linens smelling fresh

Holiday linens go in and out of storage, onto guest beds, and through messy meals. Without a few good habits, they start to smell stale or “storage-y” fast—especially when the house is closed up and the heat is running.

These simple laundry-room habits help sheets, towels, and table linens stay fresh instead of musty.

1. Don’t let wet loads linger in the washer

Set a timer or use your washer’s app to remind you to move loads promptly. Leaving laundry in a closed washer for hours is one of the fastest ways to get that sour smell that won’t fully wash back out. If you forget and it smells off, rewash with hot water and a bit of vinegar or baking soda before drying.

2. Use the right amount of detergent (not more)

More detergent doesn’t equal cleaner linens. Too much soap leaves residue that traps odors and makes towels feel stiff. Follow the line on the cap and adjust for your machine size and water hardness. High-efficiency machines especially need much less than we think.

3. Wash hot when the fabric allows

Holiday table linens, white towels, and light-colored sheets often handle warm or hot water just fine. Hotter washes help break down body oils, food residue, and odors better than cold alone. Always check labels, but don’t default to cold on items that can handle a warmer cycle.

4. Avoid overloading the washer and dryer

Stuffed machines can’t rinse or tumble properly, so dirt and detergent hang around. Give linens enough room to move. Towels especially need space in the dryer so they fluff up instead of drying in a dense, damp clump that smells musty.

5. Dry completely—and quickly

Dampness is the enemy of fresh laundry. Make sure loads are fully dry before folding or storing. If sheets feel cool or slightly clammy when you pull them out, they need more time. For thick items like mattress pads or heavy tablecloths, hang them for an hour after the dryer just to be safe.

6. Skip fabric softener on towels and some sheets

Liquid softener and some dryer sheets can leave a coating that traps odor and makes towels less absorbent. If you want softness without residue, use wool dryer balls and occasionally run a load with a cup of white vinegar in the rinse to help strip buildup.

7. Let the washer and dryer air out

Keep washer doors and detergent drawers cracked open when not in use so moisture can escape. Wipe the rubber gasket on front-loaders occasionally; it collects water and lint, which leads to that classic “front loader smell.” For dryers, clean the lint trap every time and check the vent periodically.

8. Store linens in breathable containers

Holiday linens do better in cotton bags, pillowcases, or open shelves than in sealed plastic tubs (unless moths or pests are a problem, then you’ll need a balance). If you must use bins, make sure everything is completely dry and consider adding a cedar block or baking soda sachet for freshness.

9. Rotate what you use

If the same two sets of sheets or towels are always on top, they get used and washed over and over while others sit and get stale. Rotate what’s in front so all your linens see the light of day regularly. For guest sets, wash them every few months even if no one’s used them, just to reset the smell.

10. Treat stains right away

Holiday spills—wine, gravy, lipstick—are easier to remove when they’re fresh. Keep a basic stain spray or a mix of dish soap and water in the laundry room. Treat spots before washing, and avoid drying anything with a visible stain, since heat will set it. Fewer set-in stains mean linens you actually want to pull out again next year.