How to Deal with Tough Odours in Your Laundry
The last thing you want is to smell bad, it can hinder your social interactions, lower your self-esteem, and create an impression of you that is not based on your character, but rather, the smell you emit.
Addressing this can be relatively simple, especially if the odours are coming from your laundry.
In this blog, we will share how to deal with tough odours in your laundry.
As a renowned and established service in personal and laundry services, we are extremely proud to offer a range of services to make your life easier. Whether you’re struggling to find the time, or suffering from physical issues, our services are here to make your life easier.
We provide laundry services, ironing services and dry cleaning, and more. Whether it’s a delicate piece of clothing or your sweaty gym gear, or even if you have commercial laundry needs, we have all the right solutions to clean your items in the best way for them.
What causes odours in laundry?
Odours in laundry can stem from several sources:
- Bacteria and Mould: Damp environments, like a wet washing machine or damp clothes, are breeding grounds for bacteria and mould, causing musty smells.
- Detergent Build-up: Excessive detergent or improper rinsing can leave residue, leading to unpleasant odours.
- Hard Water: Minerals in hard water can react with detergent, creating a sticky residue that traps odours.
- Lint and Debris: Accumulations of lint and other particles in the washing machine can harbour bacteria and cause smells.
- Overloading the Washing Machine: Overcrowding prevents proper cleaning and rinsing, leading to door-causing residues.
- Incorrect Water Temperature: Using cold water for heavily soiled items might not effectively kill bacteria.
- Leaving Clothes Wet: Leaving damp clothes in the washing machine or hamper for extended periods allows bacteria to grow.
Understanding these causes can help you address the odour issue effectively.
Can old clothes keep an odour after washing?
Yes, old clothes can develop odours, even with regular washing. A few factors can contribute to this:
- Fabric Breakdown: Over time, fabric fibres degrade, creating microscopic spaces where bacteria and odour-causing molecules can accumulate. This can happen quickly if the clothing is not cleaned as instructed by the label.
- Body Oil and Sweat Build-Up: Repeated wear causes body oils and sweat to penetrate the fabric, and while washing removes some of this, residues can remain. Cleaning your clothing inside out can help to address this in some cases.
- Detergent and Fabric Softener Build-up: These products can accumulate in the fabric, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Make sure you only use the recommended amount of product in your washes. And ensure there is no build-up within the trays.
- Storage Conditions: Improper storage, such as in damp or enclosed spaces, can accelerate odour development.
While regular washing helps to mitigate these issues, it’s not always enough to completely prevent odours in older clothes. It may be worth visiting a laundry service if you are dealing with this issue.
Can clothes smell if you leave them in the drum after a cycle?
Yes, leaving clothes in a washing machine for an extended period can definitely make them smell bad.
The damp, warm environment inside the machine is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mould. These microorganisms can quickly develop and cause a musty or mildewy odour on your clothes. It’s best to remove your laundry from the washing machine as soon as the cycle is complete and transfer it to the dryer or a drying rack.
How to deal with tough odours in your laundry
Persistent odours in your laundry can be frustrating. Here are some effective methods to eliminate them:
Pre-Treatment
- Soak in Vinegar: Create a vinegar solution (one part vinegar to three parts water) and soak the smelly items for an hour. This helps neutralize odours.
- Baking Soda Paste: Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to odour-causing areas, and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Solution: Mix hydrogen peroxide with water and spray on the affected areas. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
Washing Process
- Hot Water Wash: Use the hottest water recommended on the care label to kill bacteria.
- Extra Rinse Cycle: An extra rinse can help remove detergent residue and odours.
- Odour-Fighting Detergents: Consider using detergents specifically designed to tackle tough odours.
- Baking Soda Boost: Add half a cup of baking soda to the washing machine with your detergent.
- Vinegar Rinse: Add a cup of white vinegar to the final rinse cycle to eliminate odours.
Drying and Storage
- Thorough Drying: Ensure clothes are completely dry before storing to prevent mould growth.
- Air Drying: If possible, air dry items in direct sunlight to help eliminate odours.
- Proper Storage: Store clothes in a clean, dry place, preferably in breathable fabric bags.
What happens if I don’t deal with the odours in my clothes?
By not dealing with the odour of your clothes, you will have an unpleasant smell following you in public or private environments. If you already have a body odour, the smell from your clothing can mix with the smell your body emits, creating a strong and unpleasant odour.
In a social setting, it can not only be distracting, but it can also ensure that people stay away from you, or even act negatively towards you. In professional environments, it can be a hindrance to the effectiveness of your personal communication.
How to use a laundry service
Love2Laundry’s signature laundry service is a lifesaver for our users, whether it is for personal or commercial use. Our process is extremely simple and can be explained in four steps.
- Head to our website or app, and place your order. Your order includes a date and time you would like us to collect your items.
- We collect your items at the designated time.
- We clean your items, and can also dry and iron them, depending on the service you opt for.
- We return your items to you. Orders are always aimed to be delivered within 24 hours.
Can a laundry service remove odours from clothes?
Yes, a laundry service can typically remove odours from your clothes.
Professional laundry services have access to specialized detergents, equipment, and techniques designed to tackle even the toughest smells. They often use industrial-strength washing machines and dryers that can effectively remove odours caused by sweat, smoke, mildew, or other sources.
However, it’s important to note that extremely stubborn odours might require additional treatments or might not be completely removable. It’s always a good idea to inform the laundry service about the nature of the odour so they can choose the appropriate cleaning method.
Remove odours from your laundry today
At Love2Laundry, we believe in the valuable services laundrettes and ironing, and cleaning services can offer, that’s why we dedicate our service to making your clothes clean, long-lasting, fresh and uncreased.
There are plenty of great hacks online that will make it possible to treat certain items that need dry cleaning, washing, or ironing. But without the professional products, services, and tools offered by a laundrette or ironing service, it may be difficult to consistently get the results you are supposed to have.
We are proud that we offer competitively priced services for you to achieve a perfect finish for your items for an affordable cost and a fraction of the time.
In this blog, we hope to have shown you how to deal with tough odours in your laundry. Want to know how we can help you today? You can see our full price list or contact our friendly team to find out more about our services.
For further cleaning facts, our blog has a diverse selection of topics related to laundry and ironing.
You can contact us via website or by phone or email.
Phone
0203 600 0296
info@love2laundry.com
