Does Your Laundry Smell?
Are you sometimes left feeling puzzled when your freshly laundered clothing comes out of your washing machine smelling awful? This is something that we certainly don’t expect to happen, yet it can happen, and, therefore, it needs to be understood and resolved to ensure the best laundry outcomes. To get to the root of the problem, you’ll need to know what caused it to happen in the first place. Below, we explore the possible causes of smelly laundry!
DOES YOUR WASHING MACHINE NEED CLEANING?
It can seem counterintuitive to imagine that your washing machine is the cause of your clothing smelling bad! However, if your clothing smells bad immediately after coming out of your washing machine, then this may, indeed, be the source of the problem. Given that washing machines are not generally self-cleaning pieces of equipment, there may be a build-up of dirt, grime, and other substances from previous washes that can lead to bacteria and mould growing inside your machine that can lead to giving off foul odours.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WASHING MACHINE.
To keep on top of your washing machine’s maintenance schedule, every few months is a good time to give your machine a deep clean to keep it in pristine condition. To start this task, you’ll need a soft round end brush that is able to get into all areas within the machine and into all the small areas, like the seals around the door, to remove all the gunk and build up that can collect and breed there. Next, run a hot water cycle, adding vinegar or bleach to rinse and flush out any remaining dirt and debris. You’ll need to remember to clean all the filters with a cloth and a soft round end brush to lift all accumulated build-up. Repeat this process until the task is complete.
To ensure that your washing machine stays cleaner for longer, simply follow our tried and tested tips below:
i) Leave the door of your washing machine open after each wash load. This will allow the drum and seals to dry off, which will reduce the build-up of any bacteria, mould, and mildew growth.
ii) Use the instructed amount of detergent and fabric conditioner to each wash load. This will reduce excess residue collecting on your clothing in your washing machine during washing cycles. Remember, too much detergent can damage your clothing and your washing machine also. In your washing machine, it will create a build-up, leaving a residue that may stop the water flowing smoothly throughout the wash cycle. This can also lead to leaks and promote mould and mildew growth that can spread onto and into your clothing and other items.
OVERLOADING YOUR WASHING?
When you are pushed for time, it can be very tempting to overload the washing machine. However, this only serves to put a strain on your washing machine, leaving clothing unclean. Your washing machine needs to use the right amount of water to wash a given volume of clothing and other items. If the drum becomes overloaded, it still only uses the same amount of water to wash a given volume of clothing. As a result, your clothing will invariably come out without being washed properly. Overloading the drum will also place a huge strain on it and on other parts that will shorten the lifespan of your washing machine. As well as this, too many items of clothing in the drum can become lodged between the door seal and in the inner drum and end up becoming stretched and even torn.
Putting too little in your washing machine can also cause issues for washing machines, too! Besides not being energy efficient, it can cause your washing machine to spin off balance, which over time can reduce the lifespan of your washing machine.
LEAVING CLOTHES IN WASHING MACHINE TOO LONG?
You should preferably take clothing and other items out of your washing machine straight after a wash cycle. The less time your clothing is left to set in your washing machine, the better! The biggest drawback of leaving clothing and other items in the washing machine for more than 8-12 hours is that there is far greater chance for bacteria, mould, and mildew to begin to grow and spread. This not only looks awful but is a potential risk to health that can occur with too much exposure to these substances. Leaving your clothing and other items in the washing machine also leaves them smelling really bad, and you’ll need to wash them again. Re-washing clothing again is not only costly on your budget but it is also very time-consuming.
HOW TO GET FRESHLY SMELLING LAUNDRY!
As well as following the content of this Blog, a great way to get freshly smelling laundry is to hang it outdoors to allow a little fresh air, gentle breeze, and sunshine to help the process along. Air drying clothing and other items can be energy efficient, it also minimises wear and tear and increases your washing machine’s lifespan. Moreover, drying your clothing and other items outdoors in the sun’s UV rays serves as a disinfectant that keeps them fresher for longer and helps to remove odours.
PRE-TREAT STAINS TO REMOVE ODOURS.
It’s common knowledge how some of your clothing and other items will require some tender loving care to remove marks and stubborn stains. Some stains will require more attention than others, such as those underarm areas that can show signs of build-up and discolouration, and give off a musty smell. To remove such marks and stains is a rather simple process. Firstly, the clothing items in question need to be treated on the side of the actual stain so the garment should be turned inside out. You will now be ready to target and spot treat the stain by simply pouring some liquid detergent on the area, massage and rub in either with your hand or by using a small round head brush, allowing it to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes before washing the garment. If you follow this process, this should hopefully remove stubborn stains and odours and get your laundry looking brighter and fresher.
ADDING ESSENTIAL OILS TO YOUR LAUNDRY FOR A FRESHNESS BOOST!
Adding essential oils as a natural alternative to freshen clothing is a growing trend for those who wish to ditch traditional artificial chemical-based varieties on the market. We, however, would recommend essential oils be used with caution. Only use the water-based types during the laundry process laundry to avoid staining clothing and other items.
The process of adding essential oils to freshen a laundry load is simple! Just add a maximum of 12 drops into your detergent tray, along with your usual liquid detergent. When the wash cycle is complete, take your washing out of the machine immediately hang it on a clothes rack and then sit back and enjoy the most wonderful aroma given off by the essential oils.
For all the latest processes and techniques to keep your laundry fresh and clean, contact us to let us help you with that. We collect from your doorstep in Chester-le-Street and surrounding areas and return your laundry and ironing in a quick turnaround.
