Laundry Patong
In Phuket the humidity sits between 70 and 90 percent for most of the year. Clothes that would dry in two hours in Europe can stay damp all day here, and damp fabric in warm air is exactly what mould and that sour « wet towel » smell need. Here is how to avoid both.
Where the smell really comes from
The musty smell is not dirt. It is bacteria and mould feeding on moisture, sweat and body oils left in the fabric. Three things create it:
- clothes left wet or damp for more than a few hours,
- washing that is not fully rinsed, so detergent residue holds moisture,
- storage without air circulation, such as a packed suitcase or a closed wardrobe.
The two-hour rule
Never leave wet laundry sitting for more than two hours in this climate, whether in the machine, in a bag or on a chair. Beach towels and swimwear are the worst offenders: rinse them, wring them and hang them straight away, spread out rather than folded over a rail.
Drying in a tropical climate
- Air movement beats sunshine. A fan pointed at your clothes dries them faster than still air outdoors.
- Use the air conditioning. An air-conditioned room is a dehumidified room. Hanging clothes there dries them quickly and safely.
- Avoid drying outside during rainy season afternoons. Clothes reabsorb moisture from the air and end up smelling worse than before.
- A tumble dryer is the safest option for towels and cotton, because it removes moisture completely rather than partly.
Storing clothes in your room or suitcase
- Make sure everything is completely dry before folding it. If it feels cool to the touch, it is still damp.
- Keep dirty and clean laundry apart, and use a mesh or cloth bag rather than a sealed plastic one.
- Leave a little space between items in the wardrobe so air can move.
- Silica gel sachets in the suitcase help a lot on longer stays.
Rescuing clothes that already smell
- Soak for an hour in warm water with a cup of white vinegar, which neutralises the bacteria responsible for the smell.
- Wash as warm as the care label allows, with a normal dose of detergent and no fabric softener — softener coats fibres and traps odour.
- Dry completely, ideally with heat or strong air flow.
If black or green spots have already appeared on the fabric, that is mould with roots in the fibres. It sometimes comes out and sometimes leaves a permanent mark. Treat it early, and tell your laundry about it rather than hoping a normal wash will fix it.
Let someone else deal with the humidity
The simplest way to avoid damp, smelly clothes on holiday is not to dry them in a hotel bathroom. We wash, tumble dry and fold your laundry the same day and bring it back dry. Leave your bag at reception before 3:00 PM and book a pick-up on WhatsApp.
