Why Does My Laundry Stink
Have you ever encountered an unwanted odour arising from freshly washed laundry? When you have spent time and attention on the chore of cleaning clothes and other household fabrics, the last thing you want to contend with is a nasty smell lingering.
One of the ways that we are reshaping domestic laundry at Love2Laundry is by sharing articles like this that help eliminate common washing woes. We have also developed the perfect formula for ensuring laundry always smells good via our pick-up service meaning we know a thing or two about the reasons as to why unwanted odours sometimes cause issues.
In this article, we will share the reasons why your laundry may stink and let you know how to say goodbye to the annoying issue once and for all!
Why Do Clothes Retain Smells?
Before we share the contributing factors to a nasty-smelling pile of clean laundry, we first wanted to share why fabrics are susceptible to unwanted odours.
If you have checked out our ultimate guide for how often to wash clothes, you will understand how different materials should be treated in varying ways. The reason for this is due to the structure of the fabrics fibres. From robust materials like cotton to soft ones like silk, each material is made up of lots of different fibres all woven together.
When any of the issues occur which we will share in this article, the fibres are left with some form of bacteria on them. This means without a targeted treatment, germs are left deeply embedded in fabrics leading to smells getting worse over time.
In short, fabrics are porous, which is why smells can linger for a long time plus be hard to remove altogether.
What Are Some of the Reasons Why Laundry Smells?
Now that you know the reason why fabrics are known to retain smells, below we have included the main culprits for causing unwanted odours.
Items Left in the Washing Machine for Too Long
Are you guilty of forgetting how long the washing machine takes and leaving items in the drum long after the cycle has ended? If so, you are not alone as this is something lots of people contend with. However, what you may think is a harmless mistake is one of the reasons why laundry can start to smell.
In the worst cases, you can leave laundry in the machine for a maximum of 12 hours, but we recommend emptying it as soon as possible.
Laundry starts to smell when left in the machine because damp conditions are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria. Mould can start to form in very little time, which is what can cause that horrible damp smell. Furthermore, as washing machines are dark, mould can grow faster than it regularly would, meaning smells occur quicker than may be expected.
Unsuitable Laundry Routine
Did you know that 9 in 10 people say they don’t know how to wash their clothes properly? Considering the high percentage of confused individuals, we think it may not be a surprise as you may even be one of them.
Although trial and error can pay off in many parts of life, the same cannot be said for perfecting the art of laundry care. Below is a list of laundry routine issues that can lead to clothes developing an unwanted odour:
- Using too many products or not selecting the right ones can impact the smell of items. If a product build-up is left behind, this can lead to residues developing an aroma that isn’t always pleasant. Alternatively, if unsuitable ones are not chosen, the original smelly problem will not be removed. This means you should take your time choosing products such as laundry sheets and detergents.
- Overfilling the machine is also an offender. It may seem tempting to get more washing completed, but having too many items means that a thorough wash isn’t possible. This also means that water is unable to circulate as it should, which can mean extra dampnes remains even after the final spin has been completed. You can learn more about how to load a machine in this article.
- Another issue is if stains that are causing a smell before washing are not treated quickly enough. Leaving them to remain in clothing can mean they permanently remain. An example of this are not treating sports items regularly enough as bodily odour is known to linger on fabrics if not treated rapidly.
Dirty Washing Machine
Another reason that laundry smells after it’s washed is that the machine itself needs to be cleaned.
Washing machines should be cleaned at least once a month but more regularly if used lots. This is because bacteria and dirt are left behind in the drum and seal which are passed onto fabrics during the next cycle. You can easily clean a washing machine by using products you can pick up from most stores. These are then placed in the machine and a service cycle can be run. Some machines will have a proper setting for this and others can be manually configured.
You can click here to find out how to get rid of bad smells in washing machines.
Fabrics Not Dried Properly
Lastly, if fabrics are not dried properly, a damp odour will start to linger. This is because bacteria is starting to form in the wet areas.
Therefore, you should always ensure you use a drying machine or put clothes outside when the weather allows. If an airer is being used, this can be a particular issue during the colder months as it can take a while for all moisture to be removed.
This is also one of the reasons as to why you should redo your washing if it rains as not only does dirty rainwater affect the appearance of items, but it can cause an unwanted smell.
How Can You Eliminate Smells From Laundry?
As well as tackling the issues we have listed above, there are a few other methods of treating stinky laundry.
Firstly, you can treat affected items with targeted odour and stain removers to tackle the issue. Using a white vinegar spray is also a great idea, as this is known to neutralise a myriad of scents. Baking soda is another product that is known for being able to draw smells and stains out of laundry. You may also be able to eliminate odours if items are left in a natural flow of air. This is particularly effective for problems such as musky or smokey odours.
Our advice is always to act quickly, plus pay attention to the laundry symbols on your fabric item to ensure no damage occurs during treatment.
How Does Love2Laundry Ensure No Smells Remain on Laundry?
The best hack for removing odours from laundry is to outsource the chore completely to our expert team!
Our laundry services use only the best equipment, products and know-how to achieve fresh results every time. We can also treat items that have pre-existing odours to restore pieces back to their intended fresh states. Our professional results are achieved every time as each item we receive is assessed for the best way to clean. This means nothing is left to chance when it comes to ensuring all fabrics smell and look their best.
Thanks to our state-of-the-art equipment and high standards, we also offer an option for laundry care which is more hygienic than your regular laundrette. This is also achieved with sustainable laundry practices which ensure we are doing our part to protect the planet.
If you want to get your laundry done in the same way you would order food from Uber Eats, book your items in with us now!
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