George Moore, president of Sew Fine Cabinets, says that leaving wet garments in a dark and damp environment, like your basement, can cause mold spores and bacteria to appear. They can build up in your clothing over time, leaving a permanent odor.

Despite the pain of drying your clothes indoors, there are still ways to speed up the drying process and make sure they smell fresh post-wash. Here are some easy tricks suggested by experts:

Use a Dry Towel Angela Rubin from the cleaning company Hellamaid suggests hanging a dry towel along with the wet clothes. It will soak up any excess moisture in the air and cut the drying time.

Sort the Clothes by Material

Separating your clothes by fabric type can make a difference when drying them inside. Thicker materials take longer to dry than t-shirts and underwear, for example. You can also hang heavier items on one drying rack and lighter ones on another.

Use a Room with Real Air Flow Hanging the clothes in a more ventilated room can be a game-changer. Airflow eliminates the risk of dampness and mold when drying indoors. It speeds up the drying process by allowing moisture to escape. Places like your kitchen or living room would be the perfect choice.

Benefit From the Sunlight Place your clothes near a window that allows for direct sunlight. This will help dry them faster and serve as a natural disinfectant, eliminating bacteria and smell.

Spread Them Out

Don’t put clothes on top of each other, as it can hinder proper air circulation and lead to longer drying times. Give each one enough space to ensure that they completely dry. This will reduce the risk of mildewy smell.

Try Rotating Them Another thing you can do is flip and reposition your clothing while they’re drying. This ensures all parts dry evenly and receive the same exposure to air.

Invest in a Dehumidifier Dehumidifiers help extract the excess moisture from the air. An air purifier can also do the job if it has a dehumidifier function; most of them do. This is definitely worth the investment as these devices help clothes dry faster and prevent musty odors. This guarantees the drying process will be a success no matter how damp the air is.

If it happens to be too late to prevent the smell, there’s a way to make your clothes fresh again. Fill a spray bottle with 1⁄2 cup of water, 1⁄4 cup of witch hazel, and 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil — and lightly mist over the garments.

Just remember to make sure that the bottle you use is dark. This will protect your oils from light and keep them from spoiling.

Looking for the ultimate comfort dish this season? How about a mouthwateringly tasty French onion chicken pot pie that’s packed with flavor, protein, and goodness? If you just started drooling, you’re not alone. This recipe marries the traditional French onion soup with the beloved chicken pot pie in a delicious dish. Here’s how to make it!

Chicken Pot Pie: The Ingredients

• 6 (about 2 ½ pounds) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 cups beef stock
• 4 ounces shredded Gruyère cheese, shredded (1 cup)
• 2 medium-sized yellow onions, halved and sliced ¼-inch-thick (4 ½ cups)
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup dry vino
• 1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed (from 1 package)
• 2 large (6 ounces total) carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes (1 cup)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus another 2 teaspoons, divided)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• ¾ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Chicken Pot Pie: The Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grab a large bowl and place the chicken, some salt, pepper, and olive oil inside. Toss to coat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and move the chicken there, skin side up. Roast for about 35 minutes (or until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat shows 165°F). Let it cool. Then, remove the skin and bones. Shred the meat into small, bite-size pieces.

Step 2

Unfold the pastry sheet. Roll it into a 9-inch square. Cut the pastry into seven rounds using a cookie cutter, and remove the excess dough. Move the pastry rounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush the tops with whisked egg. Bake for about 10 minutes or until light brown and puffed.

Step 3

Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add the onions and cook until golden. Then, stir in the carrots and water. Once the carrots are tender, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the vino and cook for another minute. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add in the stock and let it cook until it thickens. Stir in the chicken, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from the heat.

Final Step

Nestle the puff pastry on top of the mixture in the skillet. Sprinkle the cheese evenly. Bake at 425°F for eight to ten minutes. Garnish with thyme leaves, and serve your pot pie while still hot. Enjoy!