Washing problem..

Pipkin

I cannot, for the life of me, get my washing to smell nice.

I wash everything reguarly (most items only worn once), I use plenty washing powder, fabric conditioner etc..but my washing just never smells nice(it doesn't smell awful, but just not extra fesh and clean).

The other day I was in at work helping hubby and the bloke he works with, well you could smell the fresh cleanness of his clothes a mile away - it was really, really gorgeous.

What am I doing wrong that I can't achieve that?

I even sometimes wash my towels after only one use (which creates a lot of washing in a family of 4) because I am paranoid about it.

jcr16

maybe ur using and doing too much.

or u are so used to the smell u can no longer smell it.

i found that i need to clean the washing machine every now and then and i find once i have done this i can really smell the cleaness in my clothes.

i do the anthea turner cleaning washing machine system. which involves soda crystals and white vinegar. works a treat

mandy_moo_1

it could either be the powder you're using, or it could be that others have dried their washing outside...i know line-dried washing smells so much nicer

Have you tried doing an ''empty'' wash with just a couple of capfuls of vinegar to clean the machine?

Oh and don't be temted to use loads of powder, it'll only clog the machine up. i only use half the recommended dose ( just a cple of tablespoons) and my clothes always come out clean

I don't use Fabric conditioner either, i just put a capful of vinegar in the 'conditioner' bit of the drawer

HTH

Pipkin

Thank you both

The washing powder I use doesn't have much of a smell (I use Lidl's tablets), and I try to only use the one tablet unless I feel the washing needs it.

I do use Lenor fabric conditioner, and I change it regularly so I'm not too used to the smell all the time (even though ironically I can't really smell it).

The washing machine is fairly new, but it could probably do with a clean out, so I will see to that.

I don't really have much opportunity to line dry my stuff - I live in a flat with no outside washing line or communual drying area - so lately most of my stuff either dries in the TD or on a clothes horse in the house (weather has been so bad here) - but I could try putting the clothes horse on the balcony (I'm not allowed to put up a washing line).

I've seen those small bottles of fragrance you sometimes get to use with washballs/soapnuts in the shops out here, I wondered if I should get one of those and bung a squirt in with every load?

fififofum

i am allergic to perfume and miss the lovely smell of fairy non bio that i used to use.

my washing no longer smells of anything as i use Eco balls in washing machine and dryer balls in tumble dryer. This has worked out better in the long term :money: wise as they should last 1000 washes (3 years!) and has stopped my excema that i was plagued with.

lipidicman

fififofum wrote:

i use Eco balls in washing machine

Aren't those a scam? ie same results as using nothing

jcr16

my washing machine is 7 months old and i have cleaned it twice already as i think to myself u wouldn't bath in dirty water , so i like to make sure the washing machine is clean so it can clean clothes properly. if u get my drift.

i use tesco lavender 2 in 1 washing powder . it a big box which states it does 30 washes. but i get at least 60 to 80 from it. it cost £3.76 i think. then i use tesco lavender sleep easy fabric con. it is 89p i think for a bottle and is concentrated. and i make up a diluted solution and keep it in a plastic 4 litre empty milk container. and my clothes smells really gorg. ok i personally can't smell it when there dry , but i have been asked what washing products i use as they smell nice.

mandy_moo_1

why not try buying an 'expensive' powder, then mixing it with equal amounts of washing soda?

Thats what i do....i use about 1tbsp of Persil, or Bold, then add about 1tbsp of soda crystals, and i still get the nice smell, but bcos the soda's only about 50p for a kg bag, my powder lasts ages!

lilmisskitkat

What is the Anthea way of cleaning the washer? Please?! Love Perfect Housewife

Kate xxx

Pipkin

This is the stuff I've seen in the local chemist:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WASHAROMA-FABRIC-LAUNDRY-CONDITIONER-2pk-1-Free_W0QQitemZ180079272678QQihZ008QQcategoryZ11702QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Anyone ever used it?

Gingernutmeg

lilmisskitkat wrote:

What is the Anthea way of cleaning the washer? Please?! Love Perfect Housewife

Kate xxx

I don't know if this is the Anthea way, but I saw this on How Clean is your house and I gave it a go the other day. First you run a boil wash using washing soda - they stated a mugful so I used this but split it half in the drum, half in the drawer. When that's done you run another boil wash using white vinegar - again it's a mugful and again I split it half and half. When this had finished I also gave the drawer and the drawer slot a good scrubbing.

It really does work! My machine is much cleaner and that terrible smell is gone. I will say though, it really, really stinks while you're doing it. Hot washing machine, soda, vinegar and gunk is NOT a nice smell, so shut the kitchen door and open a few windows while you're doing it. I'm hoping that next time I do this it won't be nearly as bad, but to be on the safe side I'll wait until the boyfriend is out - I can't stand the moans!!