make me smell nicer

when_will_it_end

hi all

this week i have had to resort to my emergency box (funds are very low)

it is my washing powder, it is the most basic one on the shelf, it washes ok apart from the smell.

when i opened my washing machine it smelt like i had washed it 24 hours ago, that musty kind of smell

is there anything anyone can suggest i can use to add to the powder to make it smell a little nicer

i have lots of nice smellies from xmas, but do not know what it may do to my washing..lol

i concidered grateing a strawberry smelling soap an putting it in the drum with the clothes, but would the redness of the soap dye my clothes

any help please, thankyou

Alison_Funnell

What about testing a pair of white knickers or something with the soap first. I know a lot of people on the Lush forums use allsorts of things in their washing machines so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. What I would do is very finely grate soap and mix it with the washinig powder. Also hand/air the washing well and put the nice smells on you.

when_will_it_end

Alison_Funnell wrote: »

What about testing a pair of white knickers or something with the soap first. I know a lot of people on the Lush forums use allsorts of things in their washing machines so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. What I would do is very finely grate soap and mix it with the washinig powder. Also hand/air the washing well and put the nice smells on you.

i was just thinging i could get away wit a dark wash as staining wouldnt be seen

i will give it a tester on a few old towels

unfortunatly i dont think i can mask the smell with nice sprays,,lol

phizzimum

do you have any essential oils around the house? a few drops will help

also have you thought it might be your machine? every now and then I run my machine on the hottest setting it has with some soda crystals - seems to clean it out inside and keeps it smelling fresher

Alison_Funnell

TBH I don't think it would be a problem but always better to check first.

Oh and run an empty load through the machine with bleach in. We find with ours we have to remove the washing as soon as the machine has finished and we always leave the door slightly ajar when not in use.

when_will_it_end

phizzimum wrote: »

do you have any essential oils around the house? a few drops will help

also have you thought it might be your machine? every now and then I run my machine on the hottest setting it has with some soda crystals - seems to clean it out inside and keeps it smelling fresher

i have some vanila oil, u do mean the one you burn or pop a drop on to dry flowers?

would that work?

the washing it empty with soda crystals or bleach sound like an idea

ok off to experiment

thank you all

craftdaft

When I stopped using fabric softener and used vinegar instead I started adding a couple of drops of tea-tree oil in the FS compartment. I ran out and only realised the other day I really miss the nice fresh smell when the washing's hanging up/drying. I think any essential oil can be used (unfortunately I have a husband who complains lots about any scents other than Vick/Olbas Oil type smell ).

missminx007

craftdaft wrote: »

When I stopped using fabric softener and used vinegar instead I started adding a couple of drops of tea-tree oil in the FS compartment. I ran out and only realised the other day I really miss the nice fresh smell when the washing's hanging up/drying. I think any essential oil can be used (unfortunately I have a husband who complains lots about any scents other than Vick/Olbas Oil type smell ).

can I just ask..you use vinegar instead of fabric softner?

allybee101

I use vinegar instead of fabric softener too!

The white stuff, not malt vinegar. Very cheap - 44 p for a bottle in local supermarket.

It's great - leaves washing smelling very clean and fresh, and it keeps clothes soft - towels are lovely and fluffy (not that you should use fabric softener on them anyway - makes them less absorbent).

Sparklyfairy

Hi there, I don't think your problem is the powder (I use Te5co's value) & I pay a little more for nice smelling fab softener. I think you need to clean your machine. I use 1-2 tablespoons of bicarb & half a bottle of the cheapest malt vinegar on the hottest wash - make sure the machine is empty! I do this about once a month & if it doesn't clear it, try it again. Hth

bargainbetty

I'm using vinegar instead of fabric softener too - I find the colour doesn't fade as quickly in dark clothes, the towels are incredibly soft and everything smells fresh, regardless of additional oils etc.

I get mine from an Asian supermarket - it's a five litre cask for about £2.20. You need to decant it into a smaller bottle for ease of use though.

My plumber told me recently that the trend for cool washes means that the gunk doesn't always melt away in the rinse the way it used to. He advised running a boil wash once a month at least to clean the gunk so it doesn't 'start to whiff'.