What to do before washing to make your clothes smell fresh: 9 simple tips

Prepping clothes before washing to make them smell fresh requires sorting them – and much sooner than we’re used to doing it. Strong-smelling items – for example work or campaign clothes – should not be placed with the rest. Place them in a separate basket or scented trash bag, or better yet, spray the fabric with a spray with antibacterial and disinfectant effects.

However, we’re sure you won’t do that anyway! The rest of the family should follow your example: the fact is that if you stuff slightly damp clothes, this will prevent them from drying out and the bacteria will continue to multiply, becoming a source of stench. If you cannot wash things right away, it is better to hang them on a rope or hooks, and then put them in the basket.

It seems to us that the washing machine cannot get dirty – after all, the drum is constantly washed with hot water and powder. But, explains Morgan LaLonde, laundry manager, this is a misconception, and often the fresh smell disappears because dirt and detergent residue accumulate in the machine. Morgan recommends cleaning your car at least once a month or every 30 wash cycles: this is the safest way to avoid mildew smells on your laundry after washing and extend the life of your Appliances.

Also read: Housewife secrets: how to get rid of unpleasant odors in the washing machine

Completely blocking the drum seems like a great idea, especially if you missed your scheduled laundry yesterday. However, don’t give in to temptation: as Christine Di Nicolantonio, an employee of the American Institute of Cleaning, explains, clothes will not be washed if there is no room in the drum for them to turn while they turn.

“Leave 10 centimeters of space at the top,” says Christine. – Don’t put things in pieces – put them in one at a time or in small portions if you are washing small things like socks or underwear. This simple trick for scenting clothes after washing is easy to implement but has a big effect.

Tank tops and leggings designed for fitness are often made from moisture-wicking materials that are champions at keeping odors away. This superpower is good during training, but not at home: sports items in the basket will “infect” the rest with their “aroma”, and in addition, they need special powders and gels that can destroy all the sweat molecules locked in the fibers and the bacteria that feed on them.

Do you prefer natural laundry fresheners? After washing, you can either rinse your sports outfit in water with 9% vinegar, or add it to the conditioner compartment – 100 milliliters is enough.

Don’t try to figure out how to get the damp smell out of clothes while washing: it’s what you do next that matters. As Di Nicolantonio explains, powder and water don’t destroy all bacteria, meaning that in a humid environment they will immediately start to multiply. Therefore, it is very important to remove and hang up everything in the car as quickly as possible.

Using fragrance oils is not only an effective way to scent your laundry, but some, like thyme, peppermint, clove, eucalyptus, pine, oregano, sage, fir, have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Add 7 to 10 drops to the conditioner compartment and your clothes will not only smell fragrant, but also cleaner.

According to Wendy Saladyga, director of a company that produces laundry detergents, clothes sometimes need special attention. “If there are stains on the item with an odor – for example, in the armpit area, turn it inside out first and treat the area with a product containing enzymes. It’s not difficult: just rub the powdered gel or paste onto the fabric 10 minutes before washing,” advises Saladyga.

So we figured out how to make clothes smell fresh before washing them. Here’s what you need to do next: If possible, hang items to dry outside. “A gentle breeze and sunlight will enhance the scent of your laundry,” says Wendy. “Sometimes they are enough, for example, to eliminate the smell of smoke, not to mention milder cases.”

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