Fortunately, there are lots of ways to make your laundry smell as fresh as an open window on a spring morning. Here are ten hacks that’ll do the trick!
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Baking soda is a fantastic odor remover because it’s highly absorbent, foams well, and is lightly scented, making it ideal for fighting off bad smells while leaving behind only positive ones. This is how you should use it, sprinkle some directly into the soap compartment before you run your washer or add a scoop straight into the drum before adding clothes.
Lemon juice is a natural fabric softener that’ll improve the feel of your laundry—and best of all, you can use lemon juice without having to worry about any harsh chemicals or unwanted side effects like allergies and dry skin. You can even keep a spray bottle filled with fresh lemon water in case you need something quick during a particularly bad odor situation.
When you use fabric softener, not only do you get more control over how strong your laundry smells, but you also feel the softness of your clothes right after they’re dried. Just mix a few tablespoons of lemon juice into 1 cup of baking soda (make sure it’s light enough to pour!), and that’s all there is to it! If you find that this mixture isn’t working well enough for you, consider mixing in a few drops of your favorite essential oil for some extra odor-fighting power.
If you’ve ever washed a sweater or other knitted clothing item in the washing machine, then you know that it can wreak havoc on their fibers. Fortunately, green tea is safe and effective at fighting off these chemicals while rejuvenating your sweaters by restoring their original strength and elasticity. Just fill the washer halfway with warm water, add a few cups of green tea leaves or 4-5 bags and set your machine to the gentle cycle. While it’s running, toss in the sweater—and only the sweater—then run through an empty cycle with just water to rinse it out.
Vinegar is a natural odor neutralizer that works by transforming smelly compounds into non-smelling substances during its chemical reaction with moisture in the air. As for how you should use it, simply add 1/4 cup vinegar (you can also use club soda) directly into your washer before adding clothes and then run a short (2-3 minute) cycle on hot without detergent afterward to lift away any remaining smells. For extra potency, consider making your own vinegar-based detergent instead of using store-bought. 6
If all of these home remedies seem too time-consuming or difficult for you, then consider using wet carbon dioxide tablets instead of store-bought detergent to really get rid of the odors that are plaguing your clothes. Unlike traditional detergent, wet tablets dissolve instantly into cold or warm water and release carbon dioxide gas inside of the drum to help lift away smells from fabrics.
Did you know that just one drop of eucalyptus oil onto each wash load will keep everything smelling fresh for at least 2-3 weeks? That’s right: when you use this popular essential oil, you can end up reducing how often you need to do laundry by a small fraction!
And if eucalyptus isn’t to your liking, then consider using lavender instead. Lavender is another essential oil that works in multiple ways: it stops bad smells from forming by soaking up excess moisture and odors during the drying process; it’s also a natural deodorizer while providing a light scent that doesn’t overpower. As for where you should put this smell-fighting ingredient, try buying some dried lavender sachet bags or making your own—just place them inside the dryer along with your clothes and take them out when everything’s done!
Did you know that citrus oils are a great way to prevent foul odors from forming in the first place? As for which type of citrus oil works best, citronella is the most potent choice, but lemons and oranges also help. When using these oils with laundry detergent during washing, add 8-12 drops per load (about 1/4th teaspoon) directly into your washer’s drum before adding clothes, then set it on hot water plus 2 Tbsp of detergent—and remember to use as little detergent as possible!
And if you want even more fragrance power, consider making your own laundry soap by combining two parts washing soda (not baking soda) with five parts grated or shredded soap and 20 drops of peppermint extract. Store this mixture in a sealed container—or better yet, repurpose an old, dry powder detergent container—then add 1/2 cup to each load as the clothes are running.
If you need additional advice on how to do your laundry like a pro, visit Richard Jay online for morel tips.
About the Author: Lisa Eclesworth is a notable and influential lifestyle writer. She is a mom of two and a successful homemaker. She loves to cook and create beautiful projects with her family. She writes informative and fun articles that her readers love and enjoy. You can directly connect with her on email – lisa@lisaeclesworth.com or visit her website www.lisaeclesworth.com.
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