How do I make my washing smell scrumptious?

Carbootycat

I try to dry outside whenever I can even in winter to blow some of the wet out and give my washing a fresh smell. I dry the washing round the radiators in winter usually in the hall. I leave clothes on the close horse during the night and they are usualy dry or nearly dry next morning. I have even been known when using the oven to put the clothes round that and it works. Reading through all the comments I realise why the dark clothes have undisolved soap powder on them and my hand towels smell musty. I have been washing at too low a temprature. 30 or 40 deg. now all the whites and towels will be washed in hot water. Sorry about the enviorement but I want my washing clean.

Teria

If you put the washing powder into a plastic bottle, and shake it up with the hottest water you can, you seem to get fewer white marks. I'm not sure why though.

Sally87

foreversomeday wrote: »

I think it depends how your washing machine works. If I want a rinse cycle I have to set it to do that and then run the main wash cycle when the rinse cycle has finished but the washing machine I had in my old flat was brand new and had a separate drawer for the rinse cycle, because instead of choosing a cycle for the wash you chose an entire program which would rinse, wash and dry and you only had to press the button once. I found it useless though because it never dried anything unless there was half a load or less of washing in there, so had to use the separate cycles.

I never usually do a rinse cycle now, can anyone tell me why they do one because it seems to me it uses extra electricity and water so there must be a reason why you MSErs do it!

Are you thinking of a pre-wash? That's the one that happens before the main wash and I think it's mostly meant for getting the poo out of nappies before washing them, not much use for everything else! I never use it.

The rinse cycle is what happens at the end of the wash, before it starts the spin cycle, just to get all the detergent out. Running a rinse before the main wash would be a bit self-defeating

anydots

heatherbelle wrote: »

Hi all!

I need a bit of advice!

As I have no garden I am unable to dry my clothes outside and I sometimes feel they smell a bit musty from drying inside (especially the heavier pieces) But now it is sumer and warmer and therefore they are drying quicker but still musty!

Well I think the inside drying is the main reason but also thought it maybe down to my washing machine. The filters are fine though and it was serviced a wee while back so it can't be that!

Though could be my washing technique? 40 degree wash with Mr T's tablets (use one and a half per wash) and some fabric conditioner.


Anyway...

Does anyone have any tips? Do you put anything in with your load apart from powder?

Any help would be appreciated!

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

You need to put some towels in the wash on a boil wash. Buy some decent liquid like persil and a good conditioner like yellow lenor. You will smell the difference immediatly. Dry near an open window too.

debmorris

I love the smell of Aerial washing powder. It just has a different sort of smell to all the others and it lasts for ages especially when you dig out a duvet cover from the back of the drawer which has been there for ages and you can still smell the Aerial. Sadly I don;t buy it at the moment as it is so expensive, I buy Aldi own brand at just over £3 a big box. Works just as well. Was thinking of treating myself to Aerial just for the bedding ...........:j

Peartree

Probably not much use in summer but when the radiators are on and you are drying over them or nearby, pop a tissue with some drops of a nice essential oil on top of the radiator - this is a good option generally to scent the house and much cheaper than air fresheners.

I also put a few drops of essential oil on the ironing board cover before ironing. If you're worried about marks you could put it under the cover especially if it is a metal ironing board.

A few drops of oil go a long way. Thinking about it, maybe putting a cloth wth a couple of drops on in with the wash might be an idea. I don't think that could affect the workings in any significant way as the soap would break down the oil but, hopefully, leave some scent?

If your clothes are taking a long time to dry in the house and are getting musty, it might also be worth thinking about a dehumidifier.

moanin'minnie

If I have a load of washing to dry indoors i hang the small stuff on the clothes horse, dont overload it or the air cant get at the clothes to dry them and thats why they smells musty, the larger stuff like jeans, trousers etc. I hang in the airing cupboard on hangers or over the tank as the heat in there makes it dry quicker and it doesnt get a chance to smell musty

BigMummaF

I've been following this with real interset for a couple of days now.

We are a family of allergics so I only ever buy Fairy. That's the liquid unless the powder is on a really good offer, cuz the stoopeedo plumbing in the kitchen especially, means the waste water has to travel UP hill to the soil pipe & easily gets blocked :mad:

To the peeps who advocate essential oils, may I ask....are they safe to use around fabrics if those are then worn by people with sensitive skin? I don't buy fabric conditioners for the same reason--altho I know Fairy have one now, I figure I've got on this long without so I'm not gunna start now:p --but moreso because the perfumes cause one or other to sneeze till our eyeballs pop:eek: All suggestions welcomed--if not for this project, then for many others:D

Because my lot are all growed up now, include two hoodie freaks & all three wearing jeans, I have a largish clothes airer in the kitchen [only space big enough:( ], a smaller one that straddles the stairs & one of those "pan rack" jobbies hanging in the stairwell. It's taken a while to train the offspring to hang the laundry 'flat'--as opposed to just throwing it on--but it does mean the clothes dry quicker, less creased & without the musty smell.

digit_2

heatherbelle wrote: »

Hi all!

I need a bit of advice!

As I have no garden I am unable to dry my clothes outside and I sometimes feel they smell a bit musty from drying inside (especially the heavier pieces) But now it is sumer and warmer and therefore they are drying quicker but still musty!

Well I think the inside drying is the main reason but also thought it maybe down to my washing machine. The filters are fine though and it was serviced a wee while back so it can't be that!

Though could be my washing technique? 40 degree wash with Mr T's tablets (use one and a half per wash) and some fabric conditioner.


Anyway...

Does anyone have any tips? Do you put anything in with your load apart from powder?

Any help would be appreciated!

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

I seldom use the recommended amount of washing powder. I fill my washer but I don't crowd it then select an extra rinse. My airing cupboard is always tidy and I use scented drawer liners (lavender is my favourite) between several layers of towels, pillowcases and underwear. I buy drawer liners when I can get discount. I am a pensioner and we have discount days but students can get discount too. I change the liners regularly. I also store my shoes in those under the bed boxes having lined the box with drawer liners too. When I make up a bed for guests or grandchildren I put a drawer liner between the sheets. This is always commented on. So simple yet very effective.

blowstar

I bought a contraption from Mr T's last week for my dishwasher - it clips on the side during a wash but it ended up coating everything in a lemon soap flavour.

I just chuck a cup of washing soda in mine about every month or so and it seems to keep it clean and fresh ... and at 48p a 1 kilo bag, it's not costing me much ...