Fleeces and woollens smelling 'washed'

mrs_sparrow

Thanks for the posts Glad to see I am not the only one then, LOL.

I do clean the machine every month with linescale cleaner and soda - after posting I went and double checked that the filter was not blocked (it wasn't) and it gets put on a big 90 was every few weeks anyway because of hubbys work clothes.

I use 2 in 1 Bold, there is never an issue with any other clothes, just fleece stuff.

Oh, and the carigan is not wool, I just checked, LOL more synthetics and cotton, the kids synthetic stuff comes out OK but this particular cardigan usually comes out smelling like something has chucked up on it.

After I posted this the kids stood by the front door and the fleece was hanging up as I thought I might get away with not washing it (hey, it's not mine, LOL) and they were saying 'OMG, what IS that smell'. It was the fleece - and they were 5ft away. Back into the wash it goes....!!

mrs_sparrow

I do leave the door open between washes as well.

lostinrates

Mrs sparrow, that 2 in one thing brings you back to my point about not using fabric conditioner for fleece. I know you are not meant to because of it impinging the insulation qualities but I find it really does make fleece smell, like old wet dog or something, not very clean or nice. (even if the rest of the wash smells fine). Try without. It may help. If it doesn't you certainly haven't lost anything much by trying. Just the cheapest non bio you can find with no fabric conditioner (I say non bio because we cannot use bio on the septic tank, but bio without fabric conditioner might work as well. I just do not have experienceof that)

mrs_sparrow

Thanks, that's a bit of a pain as I'll have to buy separate powders/liquids and do a seperate was with just a couple of items in it. Not very MSE.

Smelly clothes or spending money - the choice is tight!! Ha ha.

Will they be scratchy if I use no fabric softner? Can't be doing with scratchy clothes. I just assumed they would be.

I'll have a look tomorrow and when I find something will report back once tried to see if it make a difference. Thanks.

lostinrates

mrs_sparrow wrote: »

Thanks, that's a bit of a pain as I'll have to buy separate powders/liquids and do a seperate was with just a couple of items in it. Not very MSE.

Smelly clothes or spending money - the choice is tight!! Ha ha.

Will they be scratchy if I use no fabric softner? Can't be doing with scratchy clothes. I just assumed they would be.

I'll have a look tomorrow and when I find something will report back once tried to see if it make a difference. Thanks.

Actually, probably more mse, as the cheapest non bio with no conditioner in is bound to be cheaper, so it won't cost more. Other things can go in the same wash (towels, whcih are also better with no fabric conditioner, or other synthetics or otherthings which do OT need fabric conditioner)

And no, they will not be scratchy.

londonsurrey

Have you tried adding vinegar to the rinse cycle instead of fabric conditioner?

matty17r

We too also have a problem with fleeces smelling funny particularly in the winter when they take longer to dry. Occasionally get the musty smell with thermal vests as well. Have got a load of washing to go on econ 7 tonight which includes lots of sweatshirts and thermal vests. I have already added the non-bio washing powder and lenor which I have only just bought as it was on special offer with coupons at tesco for 50p. I hoping it is not going to be foggy again tomorrow and be a lovely sunny day like today so it will be out on the line. Very interesting thread!

Bluemeanie_2

I have a woolen work jumper and also have a works fleece. I have no useful suggestions but I am thrilled (sad I know) that I am not alone in this! Immediately after they are washed and dried they smell a bit cheesy! I can't describe it, it's a weird smell! The rest of the clothes they went in with are fine so I know it's not my washer!
I try to peg washing out as much as possible (moneysaving and environment) but with all this rain sometimes they have to go over the radiators or airers. I find the smell much less when pegged out.

Bailey101

I had this problem with my washer, so now every few weeks I run a 90c wash with a ton of bicarbonate of soda in it. It clears out all the gunk, and if you use heavy duty washing up cloths like I do then you can chuck the in as well and they'll come really clean.

Xx

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I only use fabric softener when washing woolens.

The rest of the time, everything goes in dirty and comes out smelling clean - even when I've forgotten to take it out of the machine. And I get very little black mould in the dispenser now I don't use it.


I really do think it's the greasy fabric conditioner that gives smells a nice sticky surface to adhere to - even towels soggy from the bathroom don't smell bad if left in the bath now they aren't conditioned - and as we all know, they actually dry you and do a bit of healthy exfoliation to boot.

I threw away fleeces for the exact same reason and wouldn't buy any more - but doing this meant the few that were left smell fresh everyday, even when minging from a cat snoring on them all day.