Have you ever finished a load of laundry and had that cloying, artificial detergent smell linger around for days? It can be overpowering, especially if your clothes are tightly packed in a small space. If you’re tired of that strong detergent smell, there are some simple and creative ways to freshen up your laundry without having to buy more expensive or speciality detergents.
How To Get Rid Of Strong Laundry Detergent Smell
Vinegar Rinse
Adding a vinegar rinse after the wash cycle may refresh your clothes in one of the easiest and most economical methods possible. The vinegar naturally breaks down soap residue and odours, leaving behind a clean scent. You can either add one cup of white vinegar directly into the drum of your washing machine or place it in a fabric softener dispenser. Just ensure not to mix vinegar with bleach, as this can create an unsafe gas.
Essential Oils
Another great way to get rid of that strong detergent smell is by adding a few drops of essential oils directly into the drum of your washing machine before starting the cycle. Essential oils come in many scents, like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon, adding a pleasant fragrance to your clothes without any chemical additives. Ensure not to use more than five drops per load, as too much oil can damage fabrics.
Natural Booster
If you want a more potent scent boost for your laundry, try adding a natural booster such as baking soda or borax powder during the wash cycle. Both baking soda and borax act as natural deodorisers, so they’ll help remove any lingering odours from your clothing while also helping soften them at the same time. Use these boosters sparingly, as too much can damage delicate fabrics like silk or wool.
Why Does Your Laundry Still Smell After Being Laundered?
You usually enjoy the fragrance of freshly laundered clothing, but if your clothes leave your washer and dryer smelling less than springtime fresh, there may be a problem. You can smell it in your clothes; it’s like a mixture of sour milk, stagnant water, and mustiness that’s been there for a while. You smell bacteria, mould, and mildew.
The bacteria, which can be brought on by damp clothing, detergent buildup, softener residue, a filthy washing machine, and other factors, is what gives out the stink. The good news is those common laundry odours can be easily fixed.
Here are some suggestions and tactics to avoid stinky clothing, from using a proper laundry detergent to switching to an odour-eliminating laundry detergent to cleaning your washing machine.
If Your Dry-Cleaned Laundry Still Smells Bad?
Fresh-smelling, clean clothes can be rapidly ruined by the musty odours that tumble dryers frequently produce. Usually, restricted or impeded airflow is the cause of unpleasant dryer scents. Most dryers operate by exhaling this hot, humid air outdoors after blowing it over the clothing. The musty odour will persist inside the appliance if the exhaust vent is clogged or otherwise compromised by lint, dust, a sock, or anything else. The smell is forced back into the laundry when the dryer is operating.
Does Vinegar Make Detergent Ineffective?
Vinegar Rinse
Adding a vinegar rinse after the wash cycle is one of the most straightforward and affordable methods to refresh your clothes. The vinegar naturally breaks down soap residue and odours, leaving behind a clean scent. You can either add one cup of white vinegar directly into the drum of your washing machine or place it in a fabric softener dispenser. Just ensure not to mix vinegar with bleach, as this can create an unsafe gas.
Essential Oils
Another great way to get rid of that strong detergent smell is by adding a few drops of essential oils directly into the drum of your washing machine before starting the cycle. Essential oils come in many scents like lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon, adding a pleasant fragrance to your clothes without any chemical additives. Ensure not to use more than five drops per load, as too much oil can damage fabrics.
Natural Booster
If you want a more substantial scent boost for your laundry, try adding a natural booster such as baking soda or borax powder during the wash cycle. Both baking soda and borax act as natural deodorisers, so they’ll help remove any lingering odours from your clothing while also helping soften them at the same time. Use these boosters sparingly, as too much can damage delicate fabrics like silk or wool.
Does White Vinegar Damage Your Washer?
White vinegar may work wonders on your laundry, but too much of a good thing can be hazardous to your washing machine’s health. Over time, the frequent use of vinegar in high concentrations can take its toll on the rubber seals and hoses inside the machine – leading to unwanted leaks! So next time you consider using white vinegar as a fabric softener, it’s best to keep it light and only use it in moderation.
Conclusion
Getting rid of solid laundry detergent smells doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—you need creativity! By trying out simple methods like adding vinegar rinses, essential oils or natural boosters during the wash cycle, you’ll be able to keep your clothes smelling fresh and clean without resorting to harsh chemicals or spending extra money on speciality products! So next time you finish up with laundry day, give these tips a try – you won’t regret it!