Did you know that your laundry is the source of many smells in your home? That’s right, even if you never leave your house or are away from home for months at a time. It turns out that the smell of clean clothes can often be a tip-off for how well kept your home is. When coming back from summer break, fall semester, or winter vacation, friends and family often remark on how much cleaner our homes look compared to last time they visited. Laundry odors are an indicator of the cleanliness of your home. Whether you’ve just moved into a new place and are getting used to it, or have lived there for some time now but need to check up on things again, paying attention to the way your home smells (and especially how it smells after doing laundry) is important if you want it to feel fresh and inviting again. While most people would assume that laundry must naturally smell good because it’s clean well, we’re here to let you know that this isn’t always the case!
How To Make Laundry Smell Good Naturally
1. Clean your clothes
If you have dirty laundry, clean them first by washing them in a different detergent than the one that normally works for your clothes. It’s worth it to try a new kind of detergent to see if it helps. If the problem is with the fabric of your clothing, use a stain remover or fabric softener instead.
2. Air out
You’ve just washed and dried your clothing, but now you want to get rid of any lingering odors from the dryer sheets or detergents that you used. Hang your freshly washed clothes outside on a clothesline and allow them to air dry for at least an hour before putting them away again in their usual spot. This will help neutralize any lingering smells from the laundry items and will help prevent the smell from spreading through your home if this happens again later on.
3. Use baking soda
Cleaning with baking soda is a great way to keep your home smelling fresh and clean without too much effort. Just sprinkle some baking soda into some warm water (about 1/4 cup of baking soda per gallon of water) and stir until all of the lumps are gone before washing your clothes in it! Baking soda also works well as an odor eliminator for pets, kitty litter boxes, garbage bags, or anywhere else that has an unpleasant smell that may be difficult to remove by other means (like soaking). You can also use this method as part of a natural household cleaning regimen to make your house smell fresh.
4. Use essential oils
Essential oils are a great way to clean naturally and help keep your home smelling fresh and clean. A few drops of lavender, lemon, or citrus essential oils on a soft cloth can be used as a natural air freshener in the home to help control odors that may have been lingering for some time. Essential oils also work well as an all-natural alternative to deodorant or antiperspirant, and can be added to water before washing clothing or other items in the wash so it can help keep those odors from lingering longer than they should!
5. Spray with vinegar (or white vinegar)
A few drops of white vinegar sprinkled on a soft cloth is another great way to get rid of odors without having to do any scrubbing or scrubbing for too long. Just add about 1/4 cup of vinegar per gallon of water and use this mixture as you would regular laundry detergent! This method works especially well if you have clothing that has become stained with food or pet urine over time, since the vinegar will help break down the stains while still being gentle enough not to damage your clothes further!
6. Use baking soda + essential oil diffuser (optional)
Essential oil diffusers are a great way to get the scent of your favorite essential oils throughout your entire home without having to use up a lot of essential oils on a regular basis. Just fill the diffuser with water and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, then plug it in and let it run! This can also be used as an alternative to deodorant if you do not want to use any harmful chemicals or store-bought deodorants.
What Causes Laundry To Smell Bad?
1. Dirty clothes
Clothes that are not washed properly are the most common reason for stinky laundry. If you do not wash your clothes in enough water, it will only compound the problem, so make sure to always wash your clothes with plenty of water!
2. Odor-causing bacteria and fungi
The bacteria and fungi that cause odors can be found almost everywhere in the home (more on this below). And while they may not cause a smell themselves, they can quickly break down organic material like food or pet urine, creating an odor that lingers longer than it should. To help prevent these odors from occurring, use extra caution when cleaning areas where a lot of food or pets have been spilled or urine has been left behind. There are also some things you can do to help prevent odors from developing in the first place!
3. Clothing that is too wet for too long
Getting your clothing wet for too long will only create more problems than it solves; wet clothing will attract mold and mildew which can cause smells as well as damage to your delicate fibers. So make sure to always dry your clothes completely after you wash them rather than just leaving them in the machine for a few minutes before putting them away! This will also help prevent mildew from growing on your clothing!
4. Dirty laundry hamper
Stinky laundry is often caused by a dirty laundry hamper, so make sure to keep your hamper clean and well-ventilated at all times! Dirt, mold, and mildew can cause smells in your clothing as well as damage to your clothing fibers.
5. Dirty dryer vent
If you notice that your clothes smell after you air them out before putting them away in the dryer, it could be a sign that you have a dirty dryer vent! Cleaning the vent out will help prevent any future problems with stinky laundry!
Tips For A Clean Home With Good Smelling Laundry
1. Regularly clean your dryer vent
Dirty dryer vents can cause stinky laundry! Cleaning out the vent will help keep your laundry smelling fresh and clean for a long time!
2. Avoid using fabric softeners
Fabric softeners are often used when washing clothing to help soften the fabric, but using them is not recommended because they can change the way your clothes absorb odors. If you do use a fabric softener, use one that is made from non-animal ingredients!
3. Wash clothes in hot water
Hot water is great for getting rid of any heavy-duty dirt or stains that may be left on your clothes, and it also helps to cut down on the amount of time it takes for your clothing to dry. Hot water also helps to keep bacteria from growing on your clothing fibers so they can stay fresh longer!
4. Wash clothes with cold water
Cold water can help to cut down on the amount of time it takes for your clothing to dry, and it also helps to keep bacteria from growing on your clothing fibers so they stay fresh longer!
5. Use the right detergent!
If you notice that your clothes are starting to smell after washing them, it could be a sign that you are using the wrong type of detergent! Avoid using detergents that contain artificial fragrances or perfumes, because these chemicals can cause smells in your clothing after washing. Instead, stick with safe and natural ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils!
Conclusion
Your laundry is the source of many smells in your home. If your laundry is a little odorous, there are a few things you can check to get a better idea of what might be causing it. Some laundry odors are more concerning than others. Natural ways to make laundry smell good again include letting your laundry air out, adding a few pieces of fabric softener to your next load, and adding a cup of white vinegar to your next load if it needs a stronger cleaning.
