Many times your clothes don't look as clean if they give off an unpleasant smell after washing. Mold often plagues the laundry, but there are several solutions to correct and prevent this problem. By properly pre-treating dirty clothes that already smell bad before putting them in the washing machine, you will ensure that they will come out as clean and smelling as they should. Once washed, there are many other things you can use to keep them smelling good for as long as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Making the laundry more fragrant
Step 1. Sprinkle soiled laundry with essential oil
Add a few drops of your favorite fragrance oil to a small spray bottle. Fill it with water and shake it. Spray it on dirty clothes before putting them in the washing machine.
Step 2. Use a detergent or scented soap for laundry
These products are available in various fragrances, so choose the one you like best. However, keep in mind that, as they contain scented substances, they may leave more residues than unscented ones and, consequently, cause mold inside the washing machine. Alternatively, try using a naturally scented laundry soap, without the addition of chemical additives.
Step 3. Prepare some scented sheets for the tumble dryer
Choose a piece of cotton fabric (such as an old towel, sheet, or shirt). Put it under running water to soak it completely, then squeeze it to get rid of the excess water. Pour in half a dozen drops of your favorite essential oil. Place the sheet in the dryer during the last ten minutes of the cycle to perfume your clothes.
- You can reuse it other times, soaking it with water and squeezing it before each use. Smell it every time you're done using it to see if it's still effective. If the scent has faded or has become imperceptible, put it in the washing machine together with other cloths and then add more drops of oil.
- Alternatively, if you prefer, you could do the same with the felt balls for the tumble dryer.
Step 4. Dry your clothes thoroughly
Whether you hang them out in the open air or use the dryer, make sure they are not damp before folding them and placing them in the closet, otherwise mold can take root easily even if they are slightly damp. Leave them out or restart the dryer if they don't seem completely dry.
Part 2 of 4: Get rid of the mold smell
Step 1. Wash wet clothes immediately
Remember that mold starts to spread wherever there is moisture. Keep in mind that dirty, damp clothes can start to smell bad before you even did your laundry, even if they weren't smelly when you took off your clothes. Therefore, if you have wet clothes, start the washing machine as soon as you take them off.
If this is not possible, avoid piling them in the laundry basket. Rather, let them air dry on a hanger, clothesline, or balcony wire before placing them in the dirty laundry
Step 2. Wash the clothes left in the washing machine again
If you have forgotten your laundry in the washing machine, wash it a second time to get rid of any odor that may have developed in the meantime. Set the machine to the highest possible temperature, as long as it doesn't ruin your clothing. Instead of detergent, you could use chlorine or mild bleach for colored garments to remove mold and eliminate odor. Alternatively, if you don't want to use chemical additives, use white vinegar.
If the odor is strong enough, you may want to wash your clothes a third time with detergent to remove residual odors
Step 3. Prevent mold with lavender essential oil
If you tend to forget about laundry in the washing machine, take a preventative measure. Add a few drops of lavender essential oil when you add the detergent at the start of the wash cycle. It is a substance that prevents mold from forming between clothes when they remain damp for a long time.
That way, mold won't develop for at least a couple of days
Step 4. Deodorize the washing machine
If the washing machine is the cause of the bad smell, fill the drum with hot water. Add 480ml of white vinegar. Leave the solution for half an hour. Then it starts a normal washing cycle without laundry. Once done, sniff inside and repeat if necessary.
Step 5. Air the drum after each wash
Remember that mold takes root in damp, dark places. Therefore, do not close the washing machine door after emptying it. Always leave it open to allow light in and more air circulation or, before closing it, let it air until the tumble dryer has finished its cycle.
Step 6. Use less detergent if needed
If your washing machine smells often, reduce the amount of liquid detergent and fabric softener. Keep in mind that these products contain denser substances than water, which do not always dissolve during washing. In other words, they can leave residues that become breeding grounds for mold inside the machine.
Remember that many detergents are concentrated, so you don't need much. If residues accumulate in the washing machine, read the directions carefully to know the recommended quantities
Part 3 of 4: Treating Particularly Smelly Clothes
Step 1. Separate them from other clothing
If a garment smells rather unpleasant, do not place it in the drum with the rest of the dirty laundry. Set it aside until you have time to wash it. This way, you will prevent other garments from getting soaked in the same smell.
Put it in an airtight container if you're worried it might plague the whole room
Step 2. Make smaller loads
If you have very dirty and smelly clothes, do not fill the washing machine drum. Wash them a little at a time so that they have enough space to absorb the water and detergent. If you have a lot of particularly dirty clothes, wash them together or divide them into smaller loads if there are several. However, if it's just a couple of items, you can:
- Wash them yourself, without adding any other dirty clothes.
- Wash them with other smaller items, such as socks.
Step 3. Leave the clothes to soak in dish soap
If a garment gives off a stench of smoke or fish (unlike the bad smell produced by an isolated stain), pour a few drops of dish soap into a basin with adequate capacity. Then fill it with warm water. Add the garment and let it soak for about ten minutes. Afterwards:
- Put everything (detergent, water and garment) in the washing machine. Turn with your hands and leave it for half an hour.
- Load the detergent into the washing machine and run it, choosing the most appropriate wash cycle for your garment, including spinning to wring it out. Set the highest recommended temperature for that type of fabric.
Step 4. Pre-treat smelly stains
If the bad smell is due to a localized stain (for example, on a dirty diaper), make a paste of baking soda and water. Depending on how dirty the garment is, start with a tablespoon of baking soda and add the water until you get an easy-to-spread paste, taking care not to completely dissolve the baking soda. After that:
- Apply the paste on the stain, leaving it on for about ten minutes;
- Put the pre-treated garment in the basket together with 240 ml of white vinegar;
- Run the washing machine, choosing the most appropriate wash cycle, including the spin cycles. Set the highest recommended temperature for that type of fabric.
- Repeat if the bad smell persists.
Part 4 of 4: Making the Washed Laundry Smell Good
Step 1. Air dry your laundry if possible
Once the wash is finished, put your clothes to dry on a clothesline outside, exposing them to sunlight and air instead of running the dryer. It is especially preferable if some clothing smelled rather unpleasant.
Of course, this is only a good idea if the air is fresh and clean. Therefore, if your neighbor is grilling some meat on the barbecue, you may want to use the dryer
Step 2. Deodorize drawers and cupboards using soap bars
Choose scented soaps to put between clean linens to keep them smelling fresh and clean longer after they've been washed. Just place them in some cotton muslin bags or sew some sachets intended for the same use, choosing a light fabric that allows the scent to spread. Then put the soaps prepared in this way in each drawer of the dresser and in the closet.
Step 3. Fill some cotton bags with herbs
If you don't like the scent of soap on your clothes, try filling cotton muslin bags with your favorite herbs. Put them in drawers and closets to perfume your clothing. You can also make smaller potpourri to slip into the pockets of your clothes to keep them smelling good for longer.
Step 4. Spray your clothes with a fabric product
Keep your clothes scented with fabric deodorant spray. You can use an industrial product, such as Febreeze, if it suits your tastes, or prepare it at home by filling a spray bottle with water and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Some essential oils can stain light or lighter fabrics. Before you spray them on your clothing, test a garment you don't particularly care about to make sure it doesn't stain
Step 5. Deodorize the wardrobe and drawers
If your closet or dresser gives off a strange smell that you don't want to transfer to your clothes, open a box of baking soda and place it inside so it absorbs the odor. Alternatively, try filling a lidless container with the coffee pose and use it instead of baking soda. In both cases, replace the contents periodically (about once a month) so that it continues to absorb bad odors.
