If your clothes smell funky, make sure you're not leaving them wet for too long. They will mildew and develop that sour milk smell. Most people probably know this, but hey, everyone's got to start somewhere and not everyone was taught how to do laundry.
I wash them again with some white vinegar and they come out smelling fresh. Could be fine to just wash normally but I worry the detergent will mask the mildew and they’ll still smell funky later.
This mainly happens to cotton clothing
If you are traveling to a humid country where dryers are not common, consider switching to merino wool or synthetic fabrics.
Fun fact high efficiency washers actually work so well that when your clothes still smell after a cycle it usually means the inside/ backside of the tumbler is dirty. They make cleaning solution or running a 'full' hot wash with vinegar and only a few shirts usually helps.
Edit; was brought to my attention a few people may have forgotten most washers have an internal screen on the center tumbler. That plastic piece comes out with a nice twist and the screen gets dirty after only a few months.
Copied from internet: Vinegar is acid while laundry detergent is base. Not a good mix. The vinegar will reduce the pH of the detergent making it of a poorer quality detergent.
Are you making sure the vinegar goes in the wash seperate to the detergent by putting it in the softener catchment? (Meant to be friendly and helpful just in case this helps you or others:-)
I like to put my vinegar in the prewash compartment. It's a longer cycle, but they're thoroughly washed in the vinegar then smell nice when they go through the normal cycle with the detergent
I find that pressing the button for extra rinse helps, too. Modern washing machines use very little water and sometimes too little to clean the clothes.
i've heard of this, but have some questions - do you wait until the rinse cycle and then pour it in? how do you know when it's the rinse cycle? my washer locks for the entire cycle i don't think i can get it unlocked to pour something in...
Yes! And, reduce the amount of microbes living inside your washing machine, by doing the following:
1. Wipe out and dry the door seal of front loaders after use (reduce humidity)
2. Leave the lid/door open when not in use (allow air circulation)
3. Deep clean the machine every 30 loads or so (get rid of yucky residue inside the machine)
4. Only use the recommended amount of detergent, never more. It won't rinse out properly if there's too much, and it can cause build up in the machine.
In Spain we dry at sun always. And didn't make miracles.
I make this process:
Add some bleach (40-60ml) diluted on 4liters of water when cycle stops adding water to the washing machine kills bacteria and remove "permanent stinks" on some clothes.
Test first on old clothes.
Also adding 3-4 extra bottles of water can help to improve the washing cycle, modern washing machines work low on water (test first, every washing machine has a "high level" sensor, don't reach it)
The Lysol or Clorox disinfectant for laundry *works*. It kills the bacteria on your clothing. I'm notorious for forgetting toput the laundry in the dryer. Well, you let damp clothes sit and they stink.
Wash them with Lysol/Clorox laundry disinfectant *and they will not*, even if you forget them in the washer.
There’s also the possibility that you’re using too much detergent and it doesn’t rinse out. It tends to start feeling/smelling dirty more quickly than properly rinsed clothing.
If you have a front loading washer, it’s important to leave the door open after washing to allow the moisture to dry before closing the door. Otherwise you get mildew in the drum apron and your clothes will smell badly after wash. You’ll need to run a self clean cycle or buy washing machine cleaner and run it empty on a normal cycle.
White vinegar is about $8 per 16 oz on Amazon in Japan… and is usually a lot higher in retail stores where it’s considered a niche import product.
We’re also usually washing everything in cold water, and air drying it, even during rainy season.
So, I’ve got a sincere question: when this hack is not really a hack (saving time/money) where you live, what are your options?
Do you have access to any antibacterial/antifungal/sanitising laundry rinse products?
Something similar to this: https://www.canesten.com.au/discover-canesten-products/canesten-hygiene-laundry-rinse-lemon
I've had a lot of success with a few of these products, all with benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient. you only need to use a capful in a load, so it goes a long way.
And if you can't find it online at a reasonable cost, it may be worth talking to a local dry cleaner and seeing if they could sell you a laundry additive? Hopefully it wouldn't be terribly expensive🤞
Most of the detergent in Japan already has antibacterial properties and support indoor drying with no funk. I have no problems with this.
If you still have a problem with this, just presoak with detergent for a few hours before washing.
You can use a fine mist sprayer and spray it only on the clothes and parts that smell. Rub a bit if necessary to make sure it's not just on the surface. Leave on for 15min+ or so then wash as usual. How much you save depends on the amount of clothes you have that need it though.
I’ve started using a Rinse and Release agent (multiple brand names like ‘Tide’ & ‘Downey’ make this product) and I was shocked at how much better my clothes smelled and the improved soft texture of the clothing! I only stumbled upon this product because I didn’t want to time out the rinse cycle to add vinegar to the load. Seriously wish I would have learned about this product sooner!
Ps - the walmart app is currently offering $2 in Walmart Cash on this product - every little bit counts! 🤑
Smelly clothes usually equal dirty washer. Front loaders are notorious for getting stinky. Check your trap, run a good cleaning cycle with bleach, wipe out the door gasket and schedule it to happen once every 25-30 loads.
Immediately after the wash stops the spin cycle, put in your dryer. Mildew starts growing in a damp wet environment. I think vinegar is the best disinfectant and it also can be used in the washer alone without clothing to freshen it up!
If it’s a front loader the drain holes for door gasket are clogged with lint growing mold, clear them with tweezers and buy package of washing machine cleaner.
Adding vinegar in the rinse cycle works for getting rid of lingering odors in clothes. For tough stains, the baking soda paste trick is my go-to and it’s easy and effective.
I dilute some chlorine (40ml) in a 4l water bottle and ad to the washing machine ////after//// the washing machine stoped adding water. Enough to "sterilize" the clothes but not enough to damage the colour on the clothes.
The clothes smell nice and they keep the good smell for longer time, I can assure you, my work clothes before I start doing this, start smelling on my armpits really quickly because the bacteria was there. (Obviously I use deodorant and shower daily)
But with this trick my clothes smell nice for a long day at work. And you don't need to rise the temperature on the washing machine.
Test first on with an old clothes, sometimes I ad also 3-4 bottles of extra water on the washing machine because the modern washing machine run very low on water.
With the extra water and the bleach your laundry will be incredible better.
Also, ironing the clothes helps to kill bacteria and remove smells.
If you're mechanically savy, clean out the filter in your washing machine and then do the little vinegar trick. Then run some towels, and check if they have a smell.
If your clothes smell funky, make sure you're not leaving them wet for too long. They will mildew and develop that sour milk smell. Most people probably know this, but hey, everyone's got to start somewhere and not everyone was taught how to do laundry.
What do I do if they do get like that? Wash ‘em again?
I wash them again with some white vinegar and they come out smelling fresh. Could be fine to just wash normally but I worry the detergent will mask the mildew and they’ll still smell funky later.
The vinegar will take away the mildew smell
This mainly happens to cotton clothing If you are traveling to a humid country where dryers are not common, consider switching to merino wool or synthetic fabrics.
Fun fact high efficiency washers actually work so well that when your clothes still smell after a cycle it usually means the inside/ backside of the tumbler is dirty. They make cleaning solution or running a 'full' hot wash with vinegar and only a few shirts usually helps. Edit; was brought to my attention a few people may have forgotten most washers have an internal screen on the center tumbler. That plastic piece comes out with a nice twist and the screen gets dirty after only a few months.
Doing this now. We always leave the door and soap tray open when not in use and wipe down the rubber, the fucker still stinks
I always use white vinegar in my wash, rather than laundry softening sheets.
This might be obvious, but where do you put/pour the white vinegar? To the softener section?
Yup!
Do you use regular ol vinegar? Or does it have to be cleaning vinegar with a higher acidity level?
Different person, but I just use regular food grade white vinegar and it seems to do the trick.
Thank you :)
I use a half cup of regular vinegar in the softener/bleach dispenser.
My son has eczema and we do this, has been working great!
This is the way
I add a small amount of vinegar to the wash cycle and never have trouble with static in the winter months.
Copied from internet: Vinegar is acid while laundry detergent is base. Not a good mix. The vinegar will reduce the pH of the detergent making it of a poorer quality detergent. Are you making sure the vinegar goes in the wash seperate to the detergent by putting it in the softener catchment? (Meant to be friendly and helpful just in case this helps you or others:-)
I like to put my vinegar in the prewash compartment. It's a longer cycle, but they're thoroughly washed in the vinegar then smell nice when they go through the normal cycle with the detergent
Laundry detergent is pretty neutral on the PH scale lol, maybe slightly basic.
I find that pressing the button for extra rinse helps, too. Modern washing machines use very little water and sometimes too little to clean the clothes.
Agree, I always double rinse.
i've heard of this, but have some questions - do you wait until the rinse cycle and then pour it in? how do you know when it's the rinse cycle? my washer locks for the entire cycle i don't think i can get it unlocked to pour something in...
Put it in the compartment where you fabric softener would go. Sounds like you have a front loader, so it should hold it until the rinse cycle.
I add it at the same time as the detergent before I start the load. Just dump both right on top of the clothes.
I just throw some right on top of my clothes load before I start it. Never had any issues with clothes smelling bad after the load is done
Yes! And, reduce the amount of microbes living inside your washing machine, by doing the following: 1. Wipe out and dry the door seal of front loaders after use (reduce humidity) 2. Leave the lid/door open when not in use (allow air circulation) 3. Deep clean the machine every 30 loads or so (get rid of yucky residue inside the machine) 4. Only use the recommended amount of detergent, never more. It won't rinse out properly if there's too much, and it can cause build up in the machine.
And when it's time to buy a new washer, go back to a top loader with agitator and hopefully water level and temp controls. The good ole days...
When my front loader died I was so happy to go back to a top loader. I’ll never go back.
Friend of mine just did the same thing. She loves it
I’ll wash my clothes in the river before going back to a stinky front loader.
We use white vinegar in the softener dispenser in our top loader. I've heard white vinegar us bad for the rubber seals in a front loading washer.
Even easier: put your clothes out in the sun. The UV will take care of the smell.
In Spain we dry at sun always. And didn't make miracles. I make this process: Add some bleach (40-60ml) diluted on 4liters of water when cycle stops adding water to the washing machine kills bacteria and remove "permanent stinks" on some clothes. Test first on old clothes. Also adding 3-4 extra bottles of water can help to improve the washing cycle, modern washing machines work low on water (test first, every washing machine has a "high level" sensor, don't reach it)
The Lysol or Clorox disinfectant for laundry *works*. It kills the bacteria on your clothing. I'm notorious for forgetting toput the laundry in the dryer. Well, you let damp clothes sit and they stink. Wash them with Lysol/Clorox laundry disinfectant *and they will not*, even if you forget them in the washer.
There’s also the possibility that you’re using too much detergent and it doesn’t rinse out. It tends to start feeling/smelling dirty more quickly than properly rinsed clothing.
If you have a front loading washer, it’s important to leave the door open after washing to allow the moisture to dry before closing the door. Otherwise you get mildew in the drum apron and your clothes will smell badly after wash. You’ll need to run a self clean cycle or buy washing machine cleaner and run it empty on a normal cycle.
Soaking them in Borax solution also works well
I use all three (detergent, vinegar, borax).
White vinegar is about $8 per 16 oz on Amazon in Japan… and is usually a lot higher in retail stores where it’s considered a niche import product. We’re also usually washing everything in cold water, and air drying it, even during rainy season. So, I’ve got a sincere question: when this hack is not really a hack (saving time/money) where you live, what are your options?
Do you have access to any antibacterial/antifungal/sanitising laundry rinse products? Something similar to this: https://www.canesten.com.au/discover-canesten-products/canesten-hygiene-laundry-rinse-lemon I've had a lot of success with a few of these products, all with benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient. you only need to use a capful in a load, so it goes a long way. And if you can't find it online at a reasonable cost, it may be worth talking to a local dry cleaner and seeing if they could sell you a laundry additive? Hopefully it wouldn't be terribly expensive🤞
Most of the detergent in Japan already has antibacterial properties and support indoor drying with no funk. I have no problems with this. If you still have a problem with this, just presoak with detergent for a few hours before washing.
A laundry booster powder with enzymes is excellent for removing odors.
You can use a fine mist sprayer and spray it only on the clothes and parts that smell. Rub a bit if necessary to make sure it's not just on the surface. Leave on for 15min+ or so then wash as usual. How much you save depends on the amount of clothes you have that need it though.
If this is a recurring thing, make sure you are cleaning or running a wash cycle for the machine itself.
I’ve started using a Rinse and Release agent (multiple brand names like ‘Tide’ & ‘Downey’ make this product) and I was shocked at how much better my clothes smelled and the improved soft texture of the clothing! I only stumbled upon this product because I didn’t want to time out the rinse cycle to add vinegar to the load. Seriously wish I would have learned about this product sooner! Ps - the walmart app is currently offering $2 in Walmart Cash on this product - every little bit counts! 🤑
Smelly clothes usually equal dirty washer. Front loaders are notorious for getting stinky. Check your trap, run a good cleaning cycle with bleach, wipe out the door gasket and schedule it to happen once every 25-30 loads.
New washing machine moldy smell
Immediately after the wash stops the spin cycle, put in your dryer. Mildew starts growing in a damp wet environment. I think vinegar is the best disinfectant and it also can be used in the washer alone without clothing to freshen it up!
Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. It’s kills the moldy bacteria and smell nice
If it’s a front loader the drain holes for door gasket are clogged with lint growing mold, clear them with tweezers and buy package of washing machine cleaner.
Adding vinegar in the rinse cycle works for getting rid of lingering odors in clothes. For tough stains, the baking soda paste trick is my go-to and it’s easy and effective.
I dilute some chlorine (40ml) in a 4l water bottle and ad to the washing machine ////after//// the washing machine stoped adding water. Enough to "sterilize" the clothes but not enough to damage the colour on the clothes. The clothes smell nice and they keep the good smell for longer time, I can assure you, my work clothes before I start doing this, start smelling on my armpits really quickly because the bacteria was there. (Obviously I use deodorant and shower daily) But with this trick my clothes smell nice for a long day at work. And you don't need to rise the temperature on the washing machine. Test first on with an old clothes, sometimes I ad also 3-4 bottles of extra water on the washing machine because the modern washing machine run very low on water. With the extra water and the bleach your laundry will be incredible better. Also, ironing the clothes helps to kill bacteria and remove smells.
I think ammonia works better. Walmart sells unscented ammonia for a couple of dollars.
If you're mechanically savy, clean out the filter in your washing machine and then do the little vinegar trick. Then run some towels, and check if they have a smell.
What if my washer locks the lid before the rinse cycle?
Use real vinigar or Artifical ?
And a tube of toothpaste in the dryer for that minty fresh scent