How to make clothes as fresh as possible: washing secrets

You may have noticed that some people's clothes always smell good. The secret may lie not only in a high level of personal hygiene but also in the right approach to laundry.

House Digest experts have identified a few basic techniques that will allow you to get extremely fresh clothes and laundry without worrying about their odor. Some of them are recommendations on how to properly flavor things, and some are changes in household habits that will bring great benefits.

Keep the most stale items separately before washing

The pajamas you slept in for a week and the overalls you wore to repair your car will smell different. So it's best to keep them in different containers before washing. The one in which you store smelly things should be treated with an antibacterial spray after each emptying so that it does not start to smell.

Avoid overloading the washing machine

There is a reason for the maximum load recommendation. If you exceed this figure, the circulation of water in the drum and the friction of clothes, which ensures the quality of the wash, will deteriorate. You should also avoid overloading the detergent in the machine. Unrinsed powder or gel remains in the fibers and can start to smell.

Don't leave used clothes lying around the house

Worn clothes can often be found on the bathroom floor, on the backs of chairs, and in other places around the house. But they don't belong there. Things can absorb odors that are difficult to remove during washing. They can also leave their odor on the surfaces. Therefore, collect the dirty immediately, and return the still usable items to their place.

Try baking soda

Baking soda is a multi-purpose product that works wonders in the kitchen, but it also comes in handy when doing laundry. The baking soda's alkalinity works very well with acidic odors that come from things like cigarette smoke and spilled milk. And unlike fragrances, it doesn't just mask odors, it absorbs and eliminates them. Just add a quarter to half a cup of baking soda to your detergent before washing.

Pour in a little vinegar

Another common, budget-friendly household product that works well to remove odor from textiles is vinegar. Its specific aroma quickly evaporates, taking all other odors with it. The acetic acid in the product not only refreshes but also kills bacteria and restores softness to the fibers. Prepare the amount of vinegar solution you need at the rate of one glass of the product per three liters of water and soak the clothes in it for 30 minutes before washing. To use the vinegar in the washing machine, add half a cup to the usual amount of detergent. But pour the vinegar into the detergent dispenser, not directly onto the clothes.

Experience the power of ammonia

Household ammonia also has a pungent odor, but it evaporates quickly. Its high alkalinity allows it to bind to chemicals in proteins, oils, and grease, so it removes stains and their odors. Ammonia is also safer to use in laundry than bleach because it does not affect colored fabrics. But it should only be used in a well-ventilated area. And never mix it with bleach. To remove stubborn odors from laundry, mix equal amounts of ammonia and bleach-free laundry detergent in a bowl. Dissolve the mixture in warm water. Soak the clothes in this solution for 30 minutes and then wash them as usual. Another option is to add half a cup of ammonia to the washing machine with detergent and run a hot or warm cycle.

Air-dry your clothes

Laundry dried on a line outside can smell surprisingly fresh. This is partly due to the ability of sunlight to kill bacteria that can live in the fibers. Hang shirts, pants, and dresses upside down to avoid noticeable dents from clothespins on your clothes, and dry dark clothes in a shaded area to prevent fading. Heavier items, such as jeans and sweatpants, take the longest to dry and can become stiff, so they are often best dried in tumble dryers.

Take care of your washing machine

If these laundry life hacks don't work, the root of the problem may be a running washing machine. Clean its filter and be sure to rinse it with some kind of product that kills mold inside the mechanism. It can be chlorine bleach, vinegar, or a specially formulated chemical. Do not forget to wipe the gaskets and seals from time to time. The door should also be left open after you finish washing to allow the machine to dry inside.

Use essential oils

Natural essential oils are great for scenting things. However, since they are oily, they can leave stains if poured directly on the clothes. It is better to add the fragrance to liquid laundry detergent (just a few drops). Choose a scent to your liking – there are many options.

Make sure you dry your clothes completely

The smell of mustiness can occur in things because you have not dried them properly. Moldy fungi begin to grow in damp fabric, which causes the odor to appear. So always check that things are completely dry before putting them away. If you are using a tumble dryer and it is giving you damp clothes, check the settings and clean the filter.

Sprinkle with Epsom salt

It's commonly added to bath water to help you relax. But a small amount of Epsom salt added during the wash will leave your clothes feeling fresher and softer. This is because of its ability to enhance the effect of the laundry detergent. As a natural antiseptic, it fights bacteria and also absorbs odors. Dissolve half a cup of salt in water before adding it to the dispenser and run a normal wash cycle.

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