My housemate always leaves his washing in the machine. Sometimes for days! I refuse to act like his mother and take them out, but what I want to know is how long do clothes have to stay damp for before they start to smell?
Also, any ideas how to get him to take them out earlier?
2006-09-24 03:17:04 · 9 answers · asked by gogirl 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Consider that washing in cold water does not kill bacteria and mold spores all of which gather in clothing fabrics being worn. If your housemate washes in cold water or anything less than very hot water and disinfectant that the laundry starts off with bacteria and mold spores in it. The temperature and humidity of the surroundings determine how long it will take until these microbes grow enough to create a noticeable smell. Even if he later removes the clothes, the machine is left with microbes which will transfer to the next load of laundry. We won't even discuss the effects of "skid marks" in his underwear which are common in careless young men.
This sort of microbe can cause many problems including skin infection.
You have more to be concerned about than the smell.
If this housemate continues this behavior, I recommend that you disinfect the washer and dryer before you use them. Run the washer with no laundry in it, hottest water and chlorine bleach to kill microbes, and wipe the inside of the dryer thoroughly with a disinfectant, but choose one that will not damage or bleach fabrics like chlorine bleach will. Keep in mind that you do not want to have to do either of these things often as chlorine bleach is harmful to the environment. House training the housemate is the better route if it is possible.
A serious chat with the housemate is appropriate.
If he will not improve, just before preparing to replace the housemate, I would pile the wet clothes in a plastic bag in his bedroom on his pillow. If they stink there, he will surely notice.
2006-09-24 04:49:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Smell Of Damp
2016-10-19 04:59:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave them to go mouldy, lesson learnt and less washing for them to do next time, I m in the process of waiting for smell from damp clothes shoved in teenagers drawers at moment, his response to your not going out till you ve done your washing.
2016-10-03 00:42:28 · answer #3 · answered by Moss Foy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after a few hours they start to smell, if i had to guess i'd say about 9 hours. just tell him he needs to get his clothes out of the washer sooner, cause there are others that need to use it.
2006-09-24 03:26:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
about 2 hours
2006-09-24 03:20:37 · answer #5 · answered by ivan j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on the temperature in your home and how much bacteria is in your washing machine and clothes. 6 hours
2006-09-24 03:24:20 · answer #6 · answered by Kathleen T 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it will smell about 2 days into, just tell him to get it out or kick his ass out the house
2006-09-24 03:19:36 · answer #7 · answered by Henry_Tee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a good question!
2016-08-14 04:49:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not consider it to be correct
2016-09-20 22:43:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋