How do I make my washing smell scrumptious?

competitionscafe

BigMummaF wrote: »

: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

I have very sensitive skin which is why I use the eco-smart non-bio and previously used Ecover (I changed because the eco smart is cheaper, especially when it was on offer at £1.99 but even at normal price it works out quite a bit less than ecover per wash and according to Good Housekeeping is equally as good if not better - I would say ecover is just as good though and I do prefer liquid to tablets). Aside from the sensitive skin issue I also found the smell of some of the big brands too artificial and overpowering.

Anyway, as I add the essential oil into the drawer compartment (just a few drops) at the beginning of the wash and the tablets (Or liquid when I used ecover) into the main drum with the washing, the essential oil gets diluted with water before it gets into the drum with the washing and would guess most of it goes out in the rinse cycle (so any left would be sufficiently diluted to not irritate the skin) - just leaving a hint of (pleasant) smell. I usually wash at 40 degrees but do towels and tea towels etc at 60 with a bit of ecover bleach if required.

I guess it depends on which essential oil you use too but I got a big (100ml) bottle on ebay for £6.25 including delivery (have since seen it for a s little as £5.50 delivered) which works out much cheaper than buying those little 10ml or 25ml bottles and it lasts for ages... They do usually carry a warning on the bottle not to use during pregnancy, never to apply to skin undiluted etc..

BigMummaF

Thanks Compie:p I've just avoided things that make me itch &/or sneeze, but obviously not kept up with improved methodology...guess it's time to experiment:rolleyes:

sheppylove_2

ok so its strong but i have seriously fallen in love with yellow lenor!!! It smells sooooo good! i hated using concentrated comfort fab conditioner and concentrated washing liquid as my clotes stank!

I also love poundstretchers dryer sheets!!! 99p box but soo much nicer than bounce or supermarket ones! I put my clothes in the tumbler for 20 mins straight out of the wash and then dry on the airers!I have two airers and a peg hanger and over door hangers and i hang things on coat hangers on picture hooks etc,
I live in an upstairs flat so drying is hard!! Make use of any heat source and open windows even if its just a little!

loulou_uk26

I think its worth getting a line for indoors, when I lived in a flat I had a Retractable clothes line, it was around £5 from argos. its small so it doesn't get in the way & clothes can get more air to them.

annelouise_2

My American neighbours hang all their shirts,blouses and t shirts on plastic coat hangers over shower curtain and on curtain rails at back of the house and pop the rest on the airer and rotate.

Hope this helps.

annelouise

tiddly_widdly

Hello everyone

I wasnt going to post this here but when I read about the allergy sufferers I decided it would be worth it.

I have several in my family who are allergic to washing powder. Then I discovered ECO BALLS by ECO-ZONE.

You get 3 in a box and you use all 3 together in the washing machine. They work by oxygenating the water. No additives or anything to be allergic to at all. They are fantastic. I have 3 (not always clean ) children and I dont find the need to rewash anything at all.

They are a fairly hefty £34.99 initial outlay but when you work out that you get refills as well it only costs 3p per wash. Which by my reckonning and taking into account the many many loads of washing I do. One box lasts me 3 years!!

If I ever feel like I need something sweet to smell I do occasionally add ecover fabric conditioner. But what is wrong with just the smell of clean washing?

skintchick

I just put all hanging items on hangers and hang from doorframes, everything else goes on airers and is turned once a day till dry. Bedlinen goes over bannister and doors. I never have a musty smell although I do leave my washer door open in between uses.

My only thought is stuff is hung too close together so it stays damp for too long, which will make it go musty. Either that or you're not taking it out of the machine soon enough as if it sits in there damp it will go musty smelling and need washing again.

RebeccaColeman

I cannot wash clothes at 40 degrees, except woollens,as I use the cheap rate electric overnight and my washing always smells in the morning. I set the timer for the machine to finish just before the cheap rate runs out at about 7am and try to take the washing out as soon as possible. If I cannot dry the clothes outdoors I use a tumble dryer the next night but it never smells if I wash at 60 degrees. I have to dry woollens out of the td and try to choose a day when I can dry outside. I don't think it is healthy to have lots of washing drying around the house. I have heard of someone using a dehumidifier and placing clothes around it on a clothes horse but it makes the washing rather stiff. Those ceiling airers are good if you have a good source of heat like an aga or a solid fuel boiler. I used to have one if fact I still have it in case I ever get an aga. Please do not tell me they are environmentally unfriendly.

joyjoy5

If you guys want to test a fabric conditioner:
There was a Comfort roadshow in my area recently, giving out samples of Comfort Tropical (Tropical Burst/orange one and Tempting Nature/green one - if you go on their website, you can request a sample:

www.comforttropical.co.uk

Mellika

harryharp wrote: »

Off topic, but they also sell soapnuts which I use instead of washing powder- they are SO MSE you would not believe, and have saved me a lot of money. There's a thread on here somewhere about them...If you want to try soapnuts though, I would recommend getting them from http://www.inasoapnutshell.com/ as they are slightly cheaper than Summer Naturals.

Can I just say, I haven't even tried them yet and you've already converted me!! They sound fantastic!