I am now on my own after a long marriage and either my ex wife or my mother has done my laundry all my life. When my laundry comes out I want it smelling fresh and clean as if it was hung out on the line to dry on a warm spring day. What is the trick? How do people get their laundry smelling so fresh? I try using scented fabric softener, but I dump a cap full in at prewash. I don't have one of those places on my washer to fill it so that the washing machine uses it when it wants to. My washing machine and dryer are about 12 years old and do not have all of the fancy shmancy computer controls to add fabric softeners. Also, what is the best detergent to use? Is it the detergent that makes laundry small fresh? Powder or liquid? It's not that my laundry doesn't smell clean, it just really doesn't have a smell at all. I want the strong, scented fresh smell!! What's the secret? Give me the steps!
2006-10-13 18:59:02 · 10 answers · asked by lefty 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
the secret to having that 'fresh' smell is to hang them out to dry, do NOT put them into the clothes dryer. also, fabric softener only clogs up your washing machine, you don't really need to use it. as far as getting a laundry detergent that smells 'nice', i think that is an individual choice......trial and error. powder is just as good as liquid as far as washing clothes, just avoid those 'generic' brands, they're crap!!
2006-10-13 19:15:20 · answer #1 · answered by leolady0765 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is somewhat comical but I'll sympathize!
Fill the washer with the water WITHOUT the clothes in it first. Add the detergent as the tub is filling or before either way. Once the water level is about 3/4 of the way full and soap is dissolved add the clothes. If you use liquid softner it needs to be added during the rinse cycle, no during the first wash cycle. you might consider getting one of the downy balls and refilling it so that the softner automaticly releases at the right time. I prefer dryer sheets myself. Also am a big fan of liquid detergent, especially mountain spring tide. One very important rule is to wash you clothes/towels regularly, and never leave them wet in a pile they will for sure develop a musty odor that won't come out! If this is an issue consider running them through the dryer or hang drying them before putting them in a hamper! hope this helps!!
2006-10-13 19:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by rd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A couple of things.... When you do laundry be sure to mix light and heavy fabrics for a balanced load. Don't overload the washer. Too many clothes can cause heavier fabric to feel stiff and unclean. For issues such as the mildew smell add about 1/4 cup of vinegar to the laundry. (Some people recommend doing this during the rinse cycle but I've found success with just adding it at the beginning of the cycle. The biggest thing I've found I was doing wrong was that I was simply trying to wash too muchin one load. Since I've lightened the loads and tried mixing fabric weights, everything feels and smells cleaner. You should never need to add more soap. Just try what I recommended above and remember to add liquid fabric softener at the right time and things will be smelling fresher soon!
2016-05-22 00:33:01 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Okay.
First use a liquid detergent. Powder sometimes doesn't dissolve and adds complications for newbies. Liquid is easier. You may have to try different scents to find the right one for you. I use Gain. Use enough water so the soap is properly distributed. When in doubt go for a little bit larger load.
When the clothes are done in the wash, put them in the dryer ASAP. If they stay in the wash they can develop a musty smell.
Use a fabric sheet. Again, its a preference thing. I use bounce.
Finally, put your (neatly folded or on hangers) laundry away in a CLEAN closet and/or CLEAN drawers. This is crucial. It'll be a waste of time to have clean clothes if your storage areas smell like a locker room. Voila. That's how to clean your clothes. I think I will print this and give a copy to my husband. This is how he taught me to clean my clothes!
2006-10-13 19:17:49 · answer #4 · answered by sparklepup 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Number on rule in washing is to separate the colored ones from the whites., Those color who fade past must be wahed separately... separate also your under wear and also your socks...
Don't add the fabric conditioner on the pre wash...... It should be used last... My mom used to spin the under wear first, then the white one... If the water is still clean, you can do the first wash for the colored ones. You can spin it again... We also hand wash the clothes, but its tiring. But if there's a stain. you had no choice, you have to scrub it. In short we washed the clothes twice... We do this even with curtains, blanket...
Make sure you rinse the clothes very well...
You can use the fabric conditioner on the third or last rinse.
The true secret to make it smell clean and fresh... is really washing it clean... If not, after sometime it will smell bad... Also choose the detergent and fabric conditioner with scent you like.. You can also use those with antibacterial solution.. They truly can make your clothes smell fresh longer.
2006-10-13 21:22:23 · answer #5 · answered by Ean13 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you chose to use fabric softener, it goes in at the final rinse. You could also buy a downy ball, that goes in at the beginning and somehow knows when to release the softener. The dryer sheets work too but don't get the real cheap ones. I prefer liquid detergent. I get whatever is on sale. You could stick a dryer sheet in your dresser drawers or in with the clean linens to keep them fresh smelling.
2006-10-13 19:04:34 · answer #6 · answered by doglover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Uhh Ya, You're doing it wrong. Get youself a downy ball. Making it back to the washer in time for the rinse cycle is tricky. And while you're at it get some Tide/ clean breeze scent and you can get matching downy/ clean breeze. It's a nice smell. Nice and fresh. I always use a spash extra of fabric softener.
Good luck.....
2006-10-13 19:09:25 · answer #7 · answered by mahjah72 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use Tide, liquid Tide on collars and cuffs. Add bleach to whites. Use dryer sheets to scent and prevent static in your clothes. Liquid softener goes in the last rinse, never in the wash. It actually prevents the detergent from working effectively.
2006-10-16 16:06:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use GAIN detergent and use fabric softener in a Downey ball.
2006-10-13 20:03:45 · answer #9 · answered by eagfan5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use gain to wash them
a downty ball to dry them
2006-10-14 04:38:58 · answer #10 · answered by DENISE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋