Rainwater in itself is considered to be clean for washing clothes. Rainwater is naturally acidic, and this means it is naturally soft. Depending on where you live, your mains water could be a much harder water that needs to be treated to decrease the hardness.
If your clothes had already been wet for a couple of days and then got wet again, you may want to re-wash them. A consistently wet environment is perfect for mould to grow, so the longer clothes are wet, the more likely it is that bacteria will develop. This can lead to clothes smelling damp and musty.
Rainwater might not be safe for household use without additional treatment. Before using collected rainwater for drinking, bathing, or cooking, consider whether treatment is needed to make it safe. Testing the water can determine if there are harmful germs, chemicals, or toxins in it.
Even the cleanest rain water can dislodge finishing agents such as sizing or starch. When that happens, the agents form rings on the surface of fabrics. These are known as water stains.
Leaving damp washing on the line for days on end will mean you need to redo the load if you want it to smell fresh. But passing rain showers are unlikely to do much damage, unless there is a lot of dust in the air.
This is because a damp and warm environment encourages the growth of bacteria and mould and this is what generates the musty smell on your clothing.
Even the cleanest rain water can dislodge finishing agents such as sizing or starch. When that happens, the agents form rings on the surface of fabrics. These are known as water stains.
However, the longer your washing stays damp and warm(ish) the more likely it is that bacteria and mould will breed, and the more likely it will become smelly. That can happen within two days, and yes you probably will need to re-wash it, or put it through a rinse cycle.
You use water to keep your clothes clean. But water isn't always good for your clothing. When water comes in the form of a flood, it can cause serious water damage to your pants, shirts, dresses and uniforms. Fortunately, water damage doesn't necessarily mean you need to throw out all your items.
The Bottom Line. If you've left clothes in the washing machine for over 12 hours, they probably need to be rewashed. If it has between 8-12 hours, give them a simple smell test, but they probably won't need to be rewashed. If it has been under 8 hours, you can just dry them straight away.
Rainwater can be stored indefinitely if you have the right systems in place to ensure the water is safe for drinking once it leaves the tank and into your water system.
Every washing machine contains sensitive electronics which can be easily damaged if exposed to water. The exterior of a washing machine isn't waterproof, so rain can get in through gaps and cracks. This can reach the electronics and other parts which aren't intended to be exposed to water, causing serious damage.
Damp clothing stored improperly can be subject to common bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli.
Washing cotton in hot water can cause shrinkage. While cotton fabrics tend to have a maximum shrinkage capacity, heat can cause your cotton items to permanently shrink. Avoid this by using cold water when washing cotton, or alternating between warm and cold washes.
Cold water is fine for most clothes and other items that you can safely put in the washing machine. It can remove many stains from clothing, including grass on your kid's jeans or makeup smudges on a sweater. Delicate fabrics (lace and silk) and dark, colorful fabrics actually do best in cold water.
You can easily roll up your rain coat into a packing cube without any issues until you need it. Jeans are OK for light rain although we don't recommend wearing them for heavy rainy days or when you're outside in the rain for extended periods of time.
Avoid wearing white on rainy days.
I actually don't abide by this tip most the time, but if you've only got a few white items in rotation, save them for dry days! Mud/dirt/dirty water droplets are bar far the biggest offender I've come across — far bigger than blood or food or coffee.
Clothes can stay in the washer for 8 to 12 hours before they begin to smell. When wet clothes sit in the washing machine for 12 hours or more, they will start to develop bacteria and mildew, which comes with a bad scent.
Vinegar is a disinfectant that helps to remove smells. Alternatively, you can add some Comfort Intense Fabric Conditioner to your washing machine drawer (following the dosing instructions on the label) – this will add a beautiful fragrance to your clothes.
It's tempting to fire up the washer and dryer after a storm if you have wet clothes, linens or other washables, but don't do it. Water—even clean water—can damage the inner workings of the appliance, including the motor. Call a qualified service and repair expert to assess the damage.
The toilets, sinks, washing machines, baths, showers and other appliances that expel water should all be connected to the wastewater drain – not the rainwater drain. This is because human waste and shampoos, and other chemicals, are produced from a household and they must go via a wastewater treatment plant.
Once you've taken wet clothes off, it's best not to leave them sitting in a pile or inside a clothes basket, as this can result in mildew and smells. Damp clothes should be hung on a rack to dry or washed straight away.