Nothing is more frustrating than taking your laundry out of the washer only to be hit with a musty or sour smell. Learning how to get the smell out of your clothing can seem challenging, but with a few strategic steps, you can enjoy fresh, odor-free garments when you need them most.
Don’t Leave Laundry in Washer Too Long
A common culprit for bad-smelling laundry is leaving it sitting in the washing machine too long after the cycle has completed. Warm, damp conditions are ideal for breeding bacteria and mold, contributing to those less-than-pleasant odors. Transferring your laundry to the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished is crucial to avoid foul scents.
Quick Refreshing Tips:
- Transfer clothes immediately after washing.
- Air out the washing machine by leaving the door open between loads.
- Periodically run an empty wash cycle with hot water and vinegar to clean your machine.
Have Odor Eliminating Products Readily Available
Investing in products specifically designed for removing odor from clothes can make a vast difference. Baking soda and white vinegar, for example, are natural odor eliminators that you can add to your laundry. For persistent odors, laundry additives and detergents with enzymes aimed at breaking down the source of bad smells are available.
Odor-Fighting Additives:
- Add a half cup of baking soda during the wash cycle.
- Pour a cup of white vinegar into the rinse cycle.
- Use enzyme-based detergents for body odor and stains.
Check Your Laundry Products
Sometimes, the products you use to clean your clothing can contribute to the issue. Overloading on detergent won’t make your laundry cleaner; instead, it can leave residues that trap odors. Finding the right balance and ensuring your fabric softener isn’t masking odors rather than helping remove smells from your clothes is important.
Product Balance is Key:
- Measure detergent according to the load size and washer type.
- Choose detergents and softeners with odor-removing properties.
- Consider using fragrance-free products to avoid overlapping scents.
Removing odor from your garments and keeping bad smells at bay isn’t a Herculean task. The solution lies in adopting timely laundry habits, using odor-fighting aides, and understanding the role your laundry products play.
Another way to ensure your laundry smells fresh and clean for longer is by visiting one of LaundroLab’s many locations. Our laundromat offers convenient, unbeatable services and amenities at affordable prices. Stop by today!