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5 clever hacks to stop your laundry smelling
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There's nothing more annoying than putting on a freshly washed T-shirt and noticing that it smells worse than it did BEFORE it was put in the washing machine!
There's a very simple reason for smelly laundry: bacteria that grows in fabric fibres and makes it smell.
So, how does bacteria grow in freshly-washed laundry?
We've rounded-up five reasons below, with tips on how to eliminate it, too.
1. Too little detergent
You need different amounts of detergent for different types of clothes.
For example, sweaty, sports clothes need more detergent than a barely-worn blouse that may have a small stain on it.
If too little detergent is used, a residue of bacteria remains and will start to grow in wet fabric immediately after washing, eventually making it smell.
Finding the right amount of detergent is sometimes not that easy.
A basic rule of thumb is the harder the water and the dirtier the laundry, the more detergent is needed.
Many detergents have printed tables on the packaging to help you decide how much to use, so it's worth having a look.
2. Bacteria in the washing machine
An often over-looked bacterial source is the washing machine itself.
If a washing machine is only used at low temperatures, bacteria is not killed, so mould can grow inside or on the rubber around the door. So if your laundry smells musty, this could mean your washing machine is dirty or mouldy.
It needs to be cleaned so that the germs and bacteria inside are killed and can no longer taint laundry.
The best way to do this is with a 95-degree wash as high temperatures will kill most of the culprits.
You can also use special detergents to help – these also descale the washing machine at the same time.
We like Dettol's washing machine cleaner. See more details here at Amazon.
If you don't want to use chemical cleaners, you can use vinegar instead.
3. Keeping the washing machine door closed
After a washing cycle has finished there's always some water left in the drum and the inside of the door is often wet.
If the door is closed immediately after use the moisture stays inside and the machine cannot dry out, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
So NEVER close the door once you've taken the washing out, leave it open to air so that the drum can dry out between washes.
4. Using short and cold washing programs
If you're a big fan of a quick wash cycle , you might want to rethink your laundry strategy.
Everything might get clean more quickly, but if it was heavily soiled, germs will still remain.
Even a normal wash cycle can be too short if the laundry was already full of bacteria, for example it had been in the laundry basket for weeks.
If this is the case, think about running a pre-wash or an extra rinse cycle.
Many items of clothing are not suitable for washing above 40 degrees.
Most bacteria that triggers smells can survive temperatures of 40 degrees, so often the only way to get rid of the smell is with disinfectant.
Using a laundry cleanser can help to get rid of bacteria at low temperatures.
Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser gets rid of 99% of germs and bacteria. See more details here at Amazon.
People with sensitive skin should use fragrance-free laundry cleansers for less skin irritation.
Ecozone Laundry Liquid Sports Wash is vegan, cruelty-free and helps to eliminate stains and freshen laundry. See more details here at Amazon.
5: You forget to empty the machine
Probably the most obvious reason for smelly laundry is that wet laundry is left in the drum for too long – which is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
If you've forgotten to empty the machine for a few hours, simply switch it on again and re-wash to remove the smell.
Always make sure that freshly-washed clothes and towels are completely dry before you put them away.
If there's ANY moisture remaining, the items will start to smell.
A popular home remedy for smelly laundry is baking soda, which you can buy here at Amazon.
It works by binding odours to neutralise them.
Simply add a tablespoon of baking soda to every wash.
It's important, however, that you add it to the washing powder (or liquid detergent) and not just pour it into the drum with the laundry.
Another helpful home remedy for smelly laundry or a dirty washing machine is citric acid, which you can buy here at Amazon.
It not only eliminates bacteria, but also leaves a pleasantly fresh scent.
Simply mix 7-8 tablespoons of lemon juice with water and pour the mixture directly into the drum before washing.
Read on:
* Laundry hacks that will make your life so much easier
* The best storage solutions for your home
*Time-saving laundry hacks for busy mums
