Sweet smelling laundry?

secretsquirrel_3

I have just received my 'Eco washing balls' which I am sure will save me loads of money. I was wondering what I could add to the water to make the clothes smell nice when they were clean. I hang everything on the line to dry but the clothes do not have that freshly laundered smell. Any ideas please?

Maisie

I'd be interested too as I use fabric conditioners which do make the laundry smell nice but I think they block up the machine (soap powder too).

Anyone have a cure for a smelly washing machine?

I do dry the rubber each time but it smells a bit.

cozzie

I use a very weak formula of fabric softner and water to make my curtains and carpets smell nicer, you could try spraying your clothes lightly whilst you are hanging them on the line.

Keep us informed as to how the eco-balls are going as I am interested to know wether they are any good.

Galtizz

I use vinegar as fabric softner (see our collections, save zillions on cleaning) and I add essential oils to it, the smell is still not as strong as using fabric softner though.

How about (just thought this up so it might not work but who knows) making lots of little drawstring bags, filling them with lavender or other smelling flowers and pegging them on the line in between the clothes???? I guess this would work better on a wirlygig or a clothes horse than a straight line clothes line as the clothes would be closer to the smelly bags? If you've got some spare material or an old T-shirt/sheet and some lavender in the garden you could dry it might be worth a try??

Nile

Hello Maisie

When the machine is not in use, do you leave the washing machine door open? Do you leave the soap dispenser drawer open? I leave both slightly open, to let the air flow through. I put powder and fabric softener in the wash, using the soap dispenser drawer and never have a problem with smells from the machine.

Every couple of months (or when I remember:D ) I remove the soap dispenser drawer and give it a scrub with an old toothbrush and soap.

Galtizz

Maisie wrote:

Anyone have a cure for a smelly washing machine?

VINEGAR! It would be wouldn't it, there is a thread somewhere....

Edit: HERE it is

Maisie wrote:

I'd be interested too as I use fabric conditioners which do make the laundry smell nice but I think they block up the machine (soap powder too).

More vinegar have a look at the tip I posted up there ^ about vinegar as a fabric softner, the recipe in the link is very good and helps keep your machine limescale free and doesn't gunk it up

Loadsabob

I do the same as Galtizz. To the vinegar I add about three drops each of grapefruit or orange EO, and the same of lavender (supposed to be a particularly good idea for bedding and nightwear, for assisting sleep of course). Though the washing isn't hugely fragrant, like with fabric conditioner, it DOES smell gorgeously fresh, especially if I'm able to dry it outdoors. It has a really clean washing smell, I find. It does make a difference, smells nicer than if I've not used any. I use Ecover powder, and that has no fragrance at all, so I really felt I needed something!!

billieboy_2

secretsquirrel wrote:

I have just received my 'Eco washing balls' which I am sure will save me loads of money. I was wondering what I could add to the water to make the clothes smell nice when they were clean. I hang everything on the line to dry but the clothes do not have that freshly laundered smell. Any ideas please?

Sorry to be dense, but what are Eco balls and where do you get them from?!

Maisie

Nile wrote:

Hello Maisie

When the machine is not in use, do you leave the washing machine door open? Do you leave the soap dispenser drawer open? I leave both slightly open, to let the air flow through. I put powder and fabric softener in the wash, using the soap dispenser drawer and never have a problem with smells from the machine.

Every couple of months (or when I remember:D ) I remove the soap dispenser drawer and give it a scrub with an old toothbrush and soap.

Yes I do leave the door open but hadn't thought about the drawer. I do clean the drawer quite frequently.
I wondered if it was the pipes that lead outside that smell. have asked my other half to have a look at them but still waiting!!!!....

Lillibet_2

Try periodically running your machine without adding ANY soap powder/conditioner/vinergar!! You will have enough residue in the pipes & drum for a very light load & this also helps keep it smelling fresh as there are no blockages for smells to develop in. If it smells to start with I'd run an empty cycle to prevent any smells transferring to the clothes though.


HTH

Maisie

I will try running machine without powder etc. I've never used vinegar for washers.
When /how do you use it . How much etc? Thanks.