9 Reasons Why Your Laundry Doesn’t Smell Right

There’s nothing like stepping into clean sheets and wrapping yourself in those clean underwear after a long day. smell. It’s one of life’s simple pleasures. But sometimes fresh smell It disappears very quickly; It seems to decrease with each passing load. You’ve been using additives like scent enhancers and softeners that you swear by for years, but something is wrong.

There are various reasons why your laundry might not smell right; Instead, you end up with clean laundry that has an unpleasant odor (at least we think so). Here, laundry pros share their best tips on how to maximize each wash and give your laundry a major scent boost to keep it smelling good.

Neglecting to Wash Your Washing Machine

We said before: Clean washing machine is the most important rule For fresher laundry. “Washing machines, especially high-efficiency models, trap residual detergent, fabric softener, and dirt in the inner workings of the washing machine—the tub, hoses, and pump—where water cannot be completely removed from the washing machine after the cycle is completed. completed,” explains Gagliardi. It creates the perfect environment for bacteria to grow and eventually transfer to your laundry.

For those who clean their washing machines regularly and are still dealing with sink odor, you may be missing an important component: the cleaning cycle. These monthly maintenance cleanings can help remove soil buildup that can be a safe haven for odor-causing bacteria. Both Gagliardi and LaLonde recommend cleaning the machine once a month or every 30 cycles. You can do this by running a cleaning cycle on your empty washing machine. bleachusing a washing machine tablet or baking soda. Check your washing machine manual for the best course of action for your unit.

Be sure to keep your cleaning schedule flowing, too. “If you notice that your laundry doesn’t look as clean as usual and/or is emitting an odor, that may be a sign that it’s time to clean,” says LaLonde. Even if it’s a few days or weeks earlier than you expected.

Not Running a Bleach Load Once a Week

You can extend the time between washing machine cleanings (deep clean or cleaning cycle) while maintaining the freshness of the laundry. running bleach loads once a week, says Gagliardi. Bleach-resistant socks, napkins, towels, shirts, etc. the items can all be thrown in the washing machine and help with your laundry scent goals.

Forgetting to Change the Temperature

Preferring not to go the bleach route? Increase your water temperature instead. “If you normally wash with cold water, also consider an occasional wash with warm or hot water to help slow the buildup of dirt and detergent,” says LaLonde. Hot water kills bacteria that may cause odor.

Skipping Laundry Disinfectant

Obviously some fabrics are not bleach safe, but there are other additives that can provide similar bacteria-fighting benefits. Liquid laundry disinfectants are an effective tool for removing odor with every wash because they destroy odor-causing bacteria and not just cover them up. But there are times when already clean items need extra support. Fabric sanitizing sprays (Gagliardi recommends Clorox Fabric Sanitizer Aerosol) are ideal for refreshing between washes. A sterilizing spray is only bacteria that cause odor under control, but can also help your clothing get some extra wear before it hits the basket.

overload

It can be tempting to overload the machine, especially when you want to get that particular job done. However overloading the machine It’s a way to sabotage your freshness goal. “Overloading the washing machine can cause laundry to smell bad,” says LaLonde. “This is because it can prevent the cargo from being cleared properly.” A good rule of thumb for a front-loading washing machine is to allow about 6 inches of clearance from the top of the drum to the load.

Letting Wet Clothes Sit

Of course, there’s also the obvious smell factor that comes with letting your wet clothes sit before putting them in the dryer. Rushing your laundry (to the dryer, drying rack or air dryingNot only will it keep it smelling fresh, but it will also help prevent deep-seated wrinkles, LaLonde says.

Also wash wet clothes, swimsuits, workout clothes, and damp towels as soon as possible to prevent odor-causing bacteria from settling in.

Not Pretreating Stains

When you notice stains and odors, treat them so they don’t set in. Add a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or some liquid laundry detergent with stain-fighting enzymes. stain remover Apply to the area and rub. Leave it for about 10 minutes before washing. Pre-treat other odor-prone areas, such as underarms, where deodorant and musty odors occur.

Closing the Door

While there are so many ways to keep laundry fresh, and many of them just have to do with machine maintenance, there’s one more trick we’ve neglected to mention. Luckily, this is probably the easiest: Leave your washing machine door open between uses. LaLonde says it will allow your wash basket to dry between uses, which is an important element in maintaining freshness.

Overdoing on Dryer Balls and Essential Oils

The washing machine is not the only option that makes clothes smell nice. Use the dryer to add fragrance. Scented dryer balls will add a fresh scent to laundry. Personalize the scent by adding a few drops essential oils to dryer balls to keep laundry smelling clean for longer.