I love the smell of freshly washed and dried clothes. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, and I feel more put together when I get dressed. Perhaps you feel the same way, but lately your clothes haven’t smelled their best, even after you’ve washed them. You’re wondering what you did wrong, and you need solutions that will keep your clothes smelling great longer. Well, in this post, I’ll discuss some practical ways to do it.
Clean Your Washing Machine
This is often the culprit behind the smelly odors in your clothes, even after washing them. Set your washing machine to a normal setting, then fill both the detergent and bleach compartments with bleach. Run the washing machine until the cycle ends. Another option is to use hydrogen peroxide if you prefer not to use bleach. Set your washing machine to the cleaning setting, then pour in two cups of hydrogen peroxide.
Here is how to clean your washing machine with vinegar and baking soda. Set the washing machine to the cleaning setting and add four cups of white vinegar. After a few minutes, pour in a half cup of baking soda. Run your washing machine as usual.
The washing machine door also needs cleaning. Take a bottle of all-purpose cleaner and spray all over the front and sides of the machine. Spray and wipe down the lid of the machine. To clean the machine dispensers, remove them and soak them in hot water and dish soap. Dry and return the dispensers to the machine.
Never Overload the Washing Machine
You can also keep your clothes smelling great by not overloading your washing machine. When you overload the machine, your clothes won’t be as clean as they should be. It’s better to wash small loads at a time.
Store Your Clothes Properly
Improper clothing storage is another reason for bad odors in your clothes. One thing I like to do is wipe down and deodorize my drawers before storing my freshly washed clothes. Place scented fabric dryer sheets between your clothes in the drawer. Hang your dresses, pants, and other items on wooden hangers since wood absorbs moisture well and reduces bad odors in your clothing. Make sure your clothes are completely dry after washing them before storing.
Air Dry Small Loads of Clothes
For centuries before the availability of modern appliances, families air-dried their clothes outside. Air-drying clothes helps your clothes smell fresh longer, and they’re less likely to endure excess dampness or moisture, unlike clothes that are dried in the dryer. In our yard, we don’t have a clothesline, so we hang the washed clothes on the gate for a few hours.
Pretreat Stains
If some of your clothes have tough stains, pretreat them with stain remover before washing them. When you pretreat the stains, you reduce the bad smells and stains on your clothing. I like to use OxiClean, Shout, Resolve, or Mean Green to pretreat stains on clothes.
Don’t Leave Wet Clothes in the Washing Machine
Sometimes when I’m washing clothes and doing other tasks, I forget that my wet clothes are still in the washing machine. When wet clothes are left in the washing machine for too long, a musty smell develops, and it’s hard to get rid of even after you dry the clothes. Set a timer to remind you to put the wet clothes in the dryer.
Wash Activewear Right Away
When you work out, your gym clothes get sweaty, and the odors get trapped in them quickly. It’s better to wash gym clothes immediately after wearing them to keep bad odors away. If you can’t wash them immediately, place the clothes in a separate bag before putting them in the hamper.
Don’t Go Overboard With Fabric Softener
Excess usage of fabric softener can cause buildup in your washing machine and your clothes won’t smell as fresh. Only use a small amount of fabric softener when washing clothes. You can also use baking soda or white vinegar instead of fabric softener to keep your clothes fresh longer.
Put Potpourri Bags in Drawers and Closets
When I was little, I used to see my aunt put potpourri bags in her car and sometimes in various places in her home. If you want a creative way to keep your clothes smelling great, put potpourri bags in your drawers and closets. You can find them at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and dollar stores.
Separate Light and Heavy Garments
When drying clothes, separate light and heavy garments. If you dry huge towels with your casual shirts, you’ll over-dry the shirts and the towels won’t be completely dry. This causes odors to develop over time and your clothes will smell musty even though they’ve been washed.
Iron Clothes After Drying
Ironing clothes after drying reduces bacteria and moisture, and this makes your clothes smell good longer.
Open Your Washing Machine In Between Uses
One mistake some people make is to keep their washing machines closed most of the time. You should open your washing machine in between uses prevents mold, mildew and bacteria from growing in your washing machine, leading to better-smelling clothes.
Presoak Heavily Soiled Clothes Before Washing
Some garments are so heavily soiled that one wash isn’t enough. These types of clothes may need to be presoaked in water and white vinegar before you wash them with detergent and fabric softener. This removes tough odors from your clothes.
It can be really frustrating when you pull out a favorite shirt, expecting that clean laundry smell, only to be met with something less than fresh. We’ve all been there – that faint musty scent or lingering workout odor can be a real mood dampener. But don’t worry, getting your clothes to smell consistently great isn’t about magic; it’s about understanding a few key practices and finding what works best for your lifestyle. By taking these extra steps, you’re not just ensuring your clothes smell great, you’re also extending their life and making sure you feel confident and comfortable every time you get dressed.