Nothing beats the fresh scent of clean laundry straight out of the dryer, right?
Unless… it doesn’t smell so fresh. (Ugh!)
Before we can talk about making laundry smell good, we first need to tackle getting odors out of clothes!
Reasons laundry may smell bad and carry unpleasant odors right out of the dryer.
A few weeks ago I noticed our laundry had an unpleasant smell straight out of the dryer. It bugged me enough that I decided to research and get to the bottom of it. I discovered why clothes fresh from the washer and dryer can still have bad odors, and I also learned how to get clean-smelling results without fabric softener or dryer sheets!
Here are some common culprits for smelly laundry:
- Wash water temperature When using a natural laundry detergent without toxic chemicals (like I do), the wash water needs to be HOT. Water temperature makes a real difference in getting clothes truly clean. I now use the hottest setting for the wash cycle for the best results. (Of course, be mindful of delicate fabrics and adjust for them accordingly.)
- A dirty washing machine Does your washing machine smell? If so, deal with that first! A smelly washing machine with a musty odor is a breeding ground for bacteria and stinky clothes. Here are the simple steps to get rid of smells in the washing machine: First, clean out the machine by wiping around the seal (if it’s a front loader) with hot, soapy water. Then run it through a cycle with baking soda sprinkled in the drum and 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the detergent drawer. The main reason a washing machine stinks is that there isn’t enough airflow, so the tightly closed area grows bacteria and develops a musty smell. To prevent that, just leave the door open slightly between washes.
- Overloading the washing machine. Stuffing the washer too full doesn’t get clothes clean. Wash smaller loads so the water can rinse through the items easily.
How to get smells out of clothes in the washing machine
Here’s the simple DIY method for clean clothes from the washing machine:
- Use a good-quality natural detergent (I personally love Norwex detergent. A little detergent goes a LONG way.)
- Sprinkle a little baking soda and a splash of white vinegar into each load. (Baking soda and white vinegar act as natural deodorizers. Don’t worry, the clothes won’t smell like vinegar.)
- Set the water temperature to HOT.
- Choose the “soak” cycle so the clothes have more time to sit in the water and get clean.
How to make laundry smell good straight out of the dryer – without dryer sheets!
I’ll admit I really love the strong, clean scent that comes with dryer sheets and high-quality fabric softener. However, once I learned how many harmful chemicals are in them, I switched to wool dryer balls.
I absolutely love wool dryer balls!
Have you discovered the benefits of wool dryer balls, too?:
- They absorb moisture from damp clothes and cut down on drying time.
- They help eliminate static cling.
- They last a LONG time. In the long run, dryer balls save you money on dryer sheets and fabric softener.
Add your favorite scent to laundry with natural essential oils
A friend told me a natural way to give clean clothes a great scent is to put one drop of your favorite essential oil on each wool dryer ball. You can do that right before drying your wet clothes, or dry them first, then add the oil to the balls and toss them in on the fluff cycle for just a few minutes.
SHOP FOR SUPPLIES
Want to try this natural way to make your laundry smell amazing? The links below are Amazon affiliate links for your shopping convenience.
- Bulk baking soda
- Large container of vinegar
- Wool dryer balls
- Essential oils
More Laundry & Cleaning Tips:
- Laundry Stain Removal Tricks
- Is your kitchen dish cloth constantly smelling funky? You might want to see how this Norwex dish cloth works!
- How do you clean an electric stovetop? (There’s a super secret trick that makes it SO much easier!
- How to clean a glass shower door the easiest way possible!
- How to get wrinkles out of clothes without an iron!
Want more Home Tips & Tricks?
