Clothes Smell Bad After Washing? How to Remove the “Damp Smell” in Humid Japan
The Dreaded “Nama-gawaki” Smell
You washed your clothes in the hotel sink and hung them to dry. Two days later, they are finally dry, but they smell terrible—like a wet dog or old rags. This is the “Nama-gawaki” (生乾き) smell, caused by bacteria breeding on slow-drying clothes in Japan’s humid air.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to throw the clothes away. Here is how to fix it.
Solution 1: The High-Heat Reset
Bacteria cannot survive high temperatures. Take your smelly dry clothes to a coin laundry and put them in a Gas Dryer for just 10-20 minutes.
The temperature inside reaches over 70°C (158°F). This will kill the odor-causing bacteria instantly and make your clothes smell fresh again. This is the fastest and easiest method.
Solution 2: Hot Water Soak (Hotel Hack)
If you can’t get to a laundry, fill your hotel sink with the hottest water possible (boiling water from the kettle is best if the sink material allows, but be careful!).
Soak the smelly item for 10 minutes. The heat kills the bacteria. Then, wring it out and dry it immediately using a hair dryer or air conditioner. Do not let it dry slowly again.
Prevention
In Japan, drying speed is key. Never pile wet clothes. Always use a coin laundry dryer if possible, especially in summer.
