How do you keep your laundry always smelling good?

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Forum -> Household Management -> Cleaning & Laundry

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amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 1:37 pm

The laundry detergent itself is not enough. And if I can't transfer to dryer right away (if I'm not home etc) it develops a smell.
Would love to have nice smelling clothes!

amother

Viola

Yesterday at 1:44 pm

Scented fabric softener
I live in Israel and use this
https://shop.super-pharm.co.il.....w_wcB
I know in USA people love this
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C.....i_atc

amother

Lotus

Yesterday at 1:45 pm

unstoppables - keeps the laundry smelling nice, but I usually move my loads over right away. Not sure if it will help if you are getting a smell from leaving the laundry in the washing machine - that might be mold or mildew which is a bigger problem than smell.

amother

DarkGreen

Yesterday at 1:46 pm

Make sure to clean the washing machine regularly & that there's no grime build up in the machine. If you have a front loader, always keep the door & detergent drawer open when not in use.

amother

Coffee

Yesterday at 1:48 pm

amother DarkGreen wrote:

Make sure to clean the washing machine regularly & that there's no grime build up in the machine. If you have a front loader, always keep the door & detergent drawer open when not in use.

I second this, you may need a new or clean washer
Softener just adds more grime to clothes over time if overused
You may also be adding too much detergent, which isn’t cleaning the clothes properly and therefore there’s too much residue and it keeps the dirt inside the clothes so it smells bad. You only need about 2 and a half tablespoons per load max (and less if it’s smaller than a full load)

amother

Opal

Yesterday at 1:48 pm

Keep it open and scrub the mold or mildew out of the washer

Also use the washer cleaner deep clean the washing machine monthly

I use oxiclean along with detergent

goodvibes

Yesterday at 2:46 pm

Add white vinegar to each load and clean your washer very often. (Especially front loaders)

amother

Mint

Yesterday at 2:52 pm

That's what fabric softener is for! Laundry comes out smelling delish!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 8:49 pm

I don't have a front loader but I don't clean it very often so I will start to do that. My clothes aren't smelling bad, it's just I want them to have a good smell. Should I leave the cover open even if it's not a front loader?
Also, does fabric softener affect the clothing quality?
Thanks!!

amother

↑ OP ↓

Yesterday at 8:51 pm

Also, if you work, does that mean you should never put a load in before leaving the house b/c it will sit for a few hours? (When else can you do it without a major backload)?

Hashem_Yaazor

Yesterday at 9:10 pm

Some machines have a delay start so you can time it to finish when you get home

amother

Calendula

Yesterday at 9:13 pm

amother OP wrote:

Also, if you work, does that mean you should never put a load in before leaving the house b/c it will sit for a few hours? (When else can you do it without a major backload)?

Start it as soon as you get home. Do a few loads every evening if you have to. Or do them Sunday.

amother

Ecru

Yesterday at 9:14 pm

amother OP wrote:

Also, if you work, does that mean you should never put a load in before leaving the house b/c it will sit for a few hours? (When else can you do it without a major backload)?

Either delay start or I put in one before work that I can easily change without hanging, towels, dryer only loads.
Evenings and Sunday. Motzei shabbos.

TS22

Yesterday at 9:29 pm

yup. I put in a load at night on delay to turn on the next day. Also, my washer has a fresh care button so you have a few hours to take it out before it starts getting a musty smell (every little bit it gives it a spin)

amother

Freesia

Yesterday at 10:09 pm

amother OP wrote:

Fabric softener does absolutely affect the clothes. It coats the fabric with a film, like a coating.
I can’t wrap my head around why people use it

AlwaysHoping

Yesterday at 10:28 pm

I use arm and hammer scent beads

amother

Peachpuff

Yesterday at 10:46 pm

Vinegar instead of fabric softener in every load.

Transfer right away.

Or set machine on delay wash.
I do this all the time. Put it a load at night, set to go on at 6 am. It's done by 7 when I wake up.
Or if I go out for a longer time. I also do delay wash.

Don't overfill the machine. Don't use too much detergent. Less is more.

Clean the machine regularly.

Sometimes there is one or two items with elastic that stinks. I've had it in the past twice. And I've heard from my sister and neigh or too! It's usually a dark colored top with a sewed on elastic on the bottom and/or cuff. Some smell worse than others. And if it's in a load together the entire load will get a funky smell.

I had to throw out those tops becuase over time (I'd wash them cold, separately and hang right away) the smell got do bad you felt it even after they dried and it wasn't wearable.
I washed a load. As soon as it was done, I sniffed every single item until I found the offending tops.

safty

Yesterday at 10:53 pm

Fabric softener hinders towels from being absorbent
Agree with vinegar suggestion
I use ammonia for towel load

thepickled

Yesterday at 10:55 pm

Use dryer sheets, 2-3 per load. I always get comments that my laundry smells amazing.
Don’t leave it wet in the washing machine for long, you will not be able to entirely get rid of that smell. Use a tub cleaner on your washing machine every month or two.

amother

Hydrangea

Yesterday at 10:57 pm

Hashem_Yaazor wrote:

Some machines have a delay start so you can time it to finish when you get home

But then the washer door is still being kept closed all those hours.

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