The smell of fresh laundry is one of life’s simple joys. So it can be a real annoyance when musty smells latch onto clothing, towels, and other soft fabrics. Mildew, a type of mold, is often the cause of musty smells on towels and clothing. Even worse, breathing mold spores on musty clothing can be hazardous to your health. Here's how to prevent and remove musty mildew smells on laundry.