Washing clothes - how to get that fresh washed smell

Regina Phalange

I don't want to come across as 'only Ladies will know', but I just don't know where else to put this - Mods feel free to move.

Anyhow - when washing clothes, I never get that nice just washed smell, instead I get a stale smell. Anybody got any ideas or tips on how to get that nice smell?

Any help would be great!

Roselm

If your clothes are taking too long to dry you will get a stale "wet dog" smell!

krudler

Do you leave them in the washing machine for ages? that could be it, theres plenty of fabric softener you can get that smells nice, stay away form the citrus ones though, i dont like smelling like a pancake tuesday cos my clothes all reek of lemons.

LenaClaire

It could be that the drain from your washing machine is backed up. We had this problem and had to have the line cleared and then the smell went away.

RacoonQueen

It's usually the detergent in my experience. Some have much stronger smells than others. I just buy whatever is on offer so I can't tell you which ones are nicer. :pac:

Edgedinblue

That happens to some of my washes too. it depends how long the clothes are left on a clothes horse. i find in winter since i cant stick the clothes horse out on the balcony, its stuck inside all the time and with the smell of cooking etc, my clothes dont have as much of a fresh smell.

that could be it or your filter in your washing machine might need to be cleaned, thats the little door on the bottom of your washing machine. i cleaned ours out last week and the smell was disgusting (found what looked like a burnt euro in it too) also sometimes water can come out so if youre cleaning that stick a towel down.

rainbow kirby

Moved from tLL to F&A.

Outkast_IRE

might be worth sticking some zoflora in wit h the odd wash http://www.zoflora.co.uk/ we throw it in once a week

el Bastardo

More (or better quality than Tesco's own etc) washing powder/liquid helps enormously. I started using those liquicapsules for exactly that reason - Was fed up with that stale, 'wet dog' smell.

Also, take them out of the washer when they're finished. If you leave them in all day/weekend, they 'earn' a smell from which they never really recover

Make sure they get air when they're drying. Don't leave them hanging in a room with closed windows and no air flow.

My experience has been that washers in rental accomodation are the worst offenders when it comes to producing clean-but-smelly laundry. Some sort of washing machine cleaner/freshener would help, if that's the case - I used to use bleach in every 'new' accomodation, but it's not good for the rubber seals in the long term.

I used to wonder this too, until I picked up Ariel excel gel because it was on special offer. Have that lovely smell all the time now

ceadaoin.

+1 on the Ariel excel gel. It leaves a really nice smell on the clothes. Also, the bottle seems to last much longer than powder

Regina Phalange

el Bastardo wrote: »

Also, take them out of the washer when they're finished. If you leave them in all day/weekend, they 'earn' a smell from which they never really recover

Make sure they get air when they're drying. Don't leave them hanging in a room with closed windows and no air flow.

My experience has been that washers in rental accomodation are the worst offenders when it comes to producing clean-but-smelly laundry. Some sort of washing machine cleaner/freshener would help, if that's the case - I used to use bleach in every 'new' accomodation, but it's not good for the rubber seals in the long term.

I was guilty of putting a wash on when I leave for work, 7am and probably not take them out until 7pm that evening, but I've stopped as I recognised the bad smell, but my worry is now that the smell is embedded in the fibres and so no matter how often I clean or whatever I use won't make a difference.

At the moment I'm using Tesco own brand, it was on offer and while the tablet smells nice, it doesn't stay on the clothes.

Don't ever use fabric softener, should I? Never really knew what its for TBH.

I don't have that small flap door on this machine (did on a previous) and I'm in rented accommodation - I don't thinks its been cleaned it the three years since the place was built, can I tackle the machine myself or do I need a professional.

Thanks for the speedy responses and the suggests guys!

WhodahWoodah

I have sensitive skin and the bio washing powder drives my skin nuts. I use Tesco's own brand bottle of Non-Bio Liquid along with Comfort Pure fabric softener and my clothes always smell fab. No fruit or flowers, just a lovely fresh linen smell.

dudara

Don't leave clothes sitting in the machine - get them dried as quickly as possible. Good quality washing powder/gel and fabric conditioner helps immensely.

Dotcomdolly

Original blue lenor has the longest lasting scent imo.
Definitely not leaving them in the machine/basket .
Hard to get them dried in a timely manner this weather though :rolleyes::rolleyes:

baby and crumble

I find the bold 2-in-1 gel is great...

Ciaramb92

Wash them..! :P

No seriously, wash them with a lovely smelling powder and then tumble dry (if you can) with tumble drying sheets.

OldGoat

Post 'wash and dry' you could try putting some lavendar (or sandlewood for the men) in your drawers, wardrobe, cupboard or where ever you are storeing your clothes/sheets.

Asphyxia

At the moment I am using bold washing powder and it is gorgeous, I also find that if the clothes are left to sit for too long before I put them either on the line or in the dryer they will start to smell so it's best to put them in straight away. When the washing machine finishes I check my clothes and see if there still really wet and if they are I put them on an extra spin to rid the excess water, a nice fabric softener goes a long way and makes the clothes lovely

Gooseygoosey

I used to put the fabric conditioner in the drawer at the start of the wash but have since found that if you use just your normal detergent and let the wash carry through from beginning to end, then after the spin dry, add fabric conditioner to the drawer and set the machine cycle to rinse again and spin again.

I find that the clothes are cleaner (maybe because initially they were rinsed well in just water) but the lovely conditioner smell is stronger. It's a bit of work but I have dogs and hate doggy smells(or any unclean smell) so it's worth the extra energy and electricity. For me anyway. Try it and see...maybe it's just me

squeakyduck

I find the nicest smell is just off the washing line, the washing powder and fabrc conditioner are good but nothing beats the proper airing they get outside. I have to dry my clothes on a clothes horse inside and while they smell ok, they don't smell as nice as they do fresh off the line!

weatherguy

I imagine your filter hasn't been cleaned and that's the reason for the smell.
You should really clean the filter every week. As one poster said put a towel down when you open the flap and unscrew the filter cos water will drip out on the floor.
take everything off the filter, wash thoroughly and screw back.
That should solve your problem.
Also, I agree with other posters you shouldn't leave your clothes in the washing machine for too long after the washing cycle is completed.
Leave a small window open when drying on a clothes horse.
I use Bold washing detergent and find it very good.

Daisy Steiner

Cheers for posting the thread OP. I went to check my filter and disgusting is not the word for it.

Nice one.

Regina Phalange

Must get the tools out tonight and look for the filter.

The OH made the clothes smell lovely last night, but using THREE tablets. Smell nice, but not using three every wash, gotta go easy on the wallet!

Thanks for the replies folks

Daisy Steiner

Regina Phalange wrote: »

Must get the tools out tonight and look for the filter.

Edit: (You said earlier that there was no flap didn't you? Sorry about that, may as well leave the below for anyone else wondering how to do it )

No tools required

Just a strong constitution.

There's a flap at the bottom of the machine, push it and it will open. Unscrew the filter (put a towel down!) a small bit of water WILL come out.

Clean the filter, I took off the worst of the gack with my fingers then washed it thoroughly in the sink.

Re-screw and voila!