We all appreciate the smell of freshly cleaned laundry. Preserving that fragrance, however, requires some effort. Luckily, there are a few ways to achieve this without spending on scented liquids. Here are some of the best tips, techniques and practices to keep your laundry fresh after you have cleaned it:
Sorting and pre-treatment
Sort laundry by colour and fabric type before washing. Treat heavily stained or soiled areas with an appropriate stain remover or pre-treatment. This step ensures that the garment is thoroughly cleaned and reduces the likelihood of unpleasant odours remaining.
Use appropriate washing methods
Use the correct amount of detergent, preferably according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not try to wash too many clothes at once. When loading the washing machine, always consider what is the recommended amount of laundry. Overloading the machine will not clean the garment properly and may cause unpleasant odours. Other essential factors include choosing the proper water temperature and cycle for the type of fabric.
Use vinegar rinses and baking soda supplements
Vinegar is an inexpensive natural deodoriser that can help remove foul smells from laundry and clean throughout the house. For example, if your towels are getting crusty or smelly, there is an easy way to freshen them up. Repeat the washing in the washing machine twice, the first time in hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar. Once you complete the cycle, wash with hot water and 1 cup of baking soda. This way, you will manage to remove any build-up on the fibres. Vinegar helps detergents work better, which is useful when doing laundry. If you have a pre-rinse cleaning tank, you can put some in there or add it to the washing machine when the water is stored. White vinegar can also brighten, soften and deodorise fabrics. You don’t have to worry about your laundry smelling like vinegar.
Take advantage of fresh air and sunlight
If the weather is nice, hang your laundry outside for fresh air and sunlight. Sunlight has natural disinfectant and deodorising properties and helps remove foul odours. Plus, the gentle breeze will keep your laundry smelling fresh for an extended period. Do not keep your laundry for too long under the sun, however, as that may cause damage or discolouration to the fabric.
Use essential oils
Put a few drops of essential oil on a small cloth or dryer ball and place it in the dryer with the laundry. The heat will emit a light and pleasant scent without the need for artificial fragrances. The smell will enter your laundry’s fabric throughout the washing process and help keep the pleasant aroma until it’s time for the next wash.
Clean your washing machine
Clean your washing machine regularly to prevent the build-up of dirt and mould that can cause unpleasant smells in your laundry. Hot water cleaning with vinegar or washing machine detergent will help remove any foul odour from the washing machine. Regularly cleaning and maintaining the filters will significantly improve the washer’s work.
Remove your garments as soon as possible from the washing machine
Leaving clothes in the washing machine for a lengthy period of time is a typical error that can cause mould to grow on your clothing and machine. When the cleaning cycle is over, always remove the clothes from the washing machine as soon as possible. If you leave it there, it will smell musty. When you’ve completed your washing, hang it up or put it in the dryer as soon as possible. Also, before placing the clothing in the wardrobe or closet, make sure they are entirely dry.
Keep a bag of potpourri with your clothes
Clothes in drawers or wardrobes can quickly lose their fresh scent between washing and wearing. Putting a small bag of potpourri inside the clothes will help prevent musty odours during this time. You can also wrap unused solid soap in tissue paper and place it in the bag. Remember to change the bags regularly.
Inspect your wardrobe
To ensure your clothes storage environment is as fresh and healthy as possible, check your closets and cabinets for moisture problems. Make sure you have proper ventilation inside your closet. If you notice any mould or moisture inside the closet, remove your clothes immediately and try to locate the cause.
Use coffee grounds
Coffee grounds are an excellent deodorising material in any kitchen. Put them in a small bowl or container and place them at the bottom of the cupboard to drive away any bad smells.
Allowing your garments to air out between wears
You don’t have to wash your clothing every time you use them; simply hanging them outside for a few hours can refresh them and remove odours Washing your garments too frequently might cause fabric damage and colour loss.
Make your own fragrance bags
Scent bags are simple to make with items found around the house. A tiny mesh or net bag, 2 cups of rice, essential oils of your choosing, 2 cups of lavender, and 1 cup of rosemary are all required. Add 40 drops of your preferred essential oil to the rice in the container that will serve as the basis of the fragrance pouch. Make certain that the rice is fully coated. Allow the rice to dry for 5 minutes before adding the lavender and rosemary and mixing everything together. When ready, seal each bag with two to three spoonfuls. Place in wardrobes, closets, and drawers to infuse your items with a fresh, pleasant aroma.
Lastly, clean your hampers and laundry baskets
We tend to throw away used clothes and laundry in the hamper and then wash it when we have the time. Well, this may cause your laundry to smell a lot worse than it should, as foul odour tends to stick to hampers and baskets. Cleaning and disinfecting them regularly will protect all the items you put inside and preserve them for longer.