Having clean laundry that smells fresh and pleasant is something most people aim for when doing their washing. However, despite your best efforts, you may sometimes find that your clothes, towels and linens come out of the wash or dryer lacking that fresh, clean scent you desire. There are several potential reasons why your laundry may not smell as nice as you would like.
Using Too Much Detergent
One of the most common reasons for laundry not smelling great is using too much detergent. While it may seem counterintuitive, putting too much detergent in your washing machine can leave behind residue on your clothes that leads to unpleasant odors. Most name-brand liquid detergents recommend using between 1/4 and 1/3 of the cap per load, depending on load size and soil level. Using significantly more than the recommended amount means detergent residue gets trapped in clothes fibers and does not properly rinse out.
This leftover detergent can make fabrics feel stiff and rough. More importantly, the residue interacts with proteins in sweat, body oils and skin cells on clothes to create unpleasant odors. Too much detergent may also cause buildup on washing machine parts over time leading to foul smells.
Tips for Using the Right Amount of Detergent
- Follow the dosage directions on your specific detergent’s packaging based on load size.
- For high-efficiency washers, use only HE-formulated detergents.
- Try starting with less detergent and increase if needed.
- Pre-treat heavily soiled items then use less detergent.
- Use less detergent for soft water and more for hard water.
- Consider diluting liquid detergents with water in a measuring cup for better control.
Not Using Enough Detergent
On the other hand, not using enough detergent can also lead to laundry that lacks freshness. If you do not use sufficient detergent for the load size, soil level and water hardness, oils and dirt may not get fully removed in the wash. Trace amounts left behind can create dingy clothes that feel dirty and smell less than fresh. Insufficient detergent use also contributes to residue buildup in your washing machine over time.
Signs You Are Using Too Little Detergent
- Clothes come out looking dingy or greyish.
- Fabrics feel stiff or crunchy after washing.
- Odors linger after washing, especially underarm area.
- You notice soap scum or mildew in washer drum.
- You need to re-wash items multiple times.
If your laundry has these issues, try increasing the amount of detergent you use in a load by a small amount until your clothes look and smell cleaner.
Using Too Much Fabric Softener
Adding too much fabric softener can also make your freshly washed clothes smell worse instead of better. While fabric softeners are great for reducing laundry static and softening fabrics, they contain perfumes and oils that can build up on clothes. Too much softener leaves behind a coating that traps odors instead of washing them away.
One to two capfuls or less is plenty for most loads. Measure carefully and dilute liquid softeners with water if needed. Be extra careful when adding softener to towels or athletic wear which are more prone to buildup issues. Consider skipping the softener occasionally if clothes start feeling greasy or smelling overly perfumed.
Not Cleaning the Washing Machine
Failing to occasionally clean your washing machine itself can also lead to foul laundry odors. Soap scum, mold, mildew and bacteria naturally build up in washers over time, especially around the gasket, drum and detergent dispenser. This buildup gets transferred to clothes during washing cycles leading to bad smells.
It is recommended to do a hot wash cycle monthly using either bleach or washing machine cleaner to fully sanitize all components. Be sure to leave the door open between uses to allow moisture to evaporate and prevent mold growth.
Quick Tips for Washing Machine Cleaning
- Leave door open when not in use.
- Wipe down gaskets and dispensers monthly.
- Run cleaning cycle monthly with bleach or other washing machine cleaner.
- Remove built-up deposits with baking soda and vinegar.
- Scrub the drum by hand periodically.
Not Drying Properly
Allowing washing to sit wet for too long before drying can also lead to unpleasant smells. When damp clothing sits balled up in the washing machine or laundry basket, it provides an ideal environment for odor-causing bacteria and mildew to grow. Promptly moving items to the dryer or drying rack prevents this.
In addition, overloading dryers does not allow the hot air to properly circulate and dry all fabric surfaces. This leaves damp spots that can mildew. Make sure to leave room for clothes to tumble freely in the dryer. If using a drying rack or clothesline, spread items out with space between them for even air circulation.
Tips for Proper Laundry Drying
- Transfer washing to dryer/rack promptly after washing.
- Make sure drying machines and racks are clean.
- Do not overload dryer – leave space to tumble.
- Check that dryer vent is clear and lint trap clean.
- Spread out clothes on rack and turn periodically.
Using Too Low Washing Temperature
Washing clothes in water that is too cool prevents oils and bacteria from adequately lifting off fabrics. This leaves residual odors behind even after the wash cycle. The warm and hot temperature settings provide the agitation and heat needed to fully purge odors, oils and bacteria from cloth fibers.
Always wash underwear, towels, sheets and athletic apparel on hot to kill germs and make sure no trace odors remain. Only use cold for delicate items. Make sure your machine is reaching the proper temperature by checking settings and doing maintenance like descaling.
Ideal Wash Temperatures for Fabrics
| Fabric Type | Recommended Wash Temperature |
|---|---|
| Undergarments | Hot |
| Towels/Sheets | Hot |
| Athletic Wear | Hot |
| Sturdy Cottons | Warm |
| Bright/Dark Colors | Cold |
| Delicates | Cold |
Using Too Much Heat When Drying
Over-drying laundry with too much heat can also cause odors. Excessive heat from dryers and direct sunlight break down fabrics over time. This releases a smell somewhat like burnt toast. The damage also weakens fibers causing them to trap odors more readily.
To avoid over-drying, be sure to remove items promptly when the dry cycle finishes and clothes feel just slightly damp. Let items finish air drying the rest of the way. Check load sizes match dryer capacity and use medium heat settings.
Storing Laundry Improperly
The way you store clean laundry until use also plays a role in keeping odors at bay. Keeping freshly washed clothes or linens balled up in a closed hamper or dresser allows smells to build up. Properly folded and hung garments exposed to open air maintain freshness longer.
Only wash what you can dry and put away in a couple days. Store off-season clothes vacuumed-sealed if possible. Change out dresser drawer liners seasonally to prevent smells from adhering.
Laundry Storage Tips
- Fold and put away clothes promptly if possible.
- Use breathable laundry baskets/hampers.
- Keep dresser drawers clean and change out liners.
- Vacuum-seal or regularly air out off-season clothing.
- Use cedar blocks or sachets for stored textiles.
Using a Moldy or Musty Washer
If your washing machine itself has an existing mold or musty smell, this odor can get transferred to freshly washed clothes. Sadly, this means your laundry comes out stinky even with a perfectly executed wash and dry cycle. Take steps to thoroughly clean your washer if smells persist after proper washes.
Run hot empty cycles with bleach or other washing machine cleaners. Remove built up gunk with baking soda, vinegar and scrubbing. Check all compartments for pockets of mold growth. Replace rubber gaskets if mildew persists despite cleaning.
Not Pre-Treating Stains/Soils
Heavily soiled and stained laundry also requires pre-treatment to fully remove odors in the wash. Bodily fluids, food stains, grease, mud and more get embedded in fabric fibers and release smells if not broken down before washing.
Check clothes before washing and spot treat any problem areas. Enzyme-based pre-treatment sprays help remove organic matter causing odors. Letting it soak for 15-30 minutes before washing also improves cleaning.
Types of Laundry Stains to Pre-Treat
- Sweat and body oils
- Food stains
- Outdoor mud or dirt
- Grease and oil
- Mildew or mold
- Wine, coffee, juice
Conclusion
While washing machine technology has come a long way, laundry science is still not fully perfected. The proper combination of detergent, mechanical energy and chemical processes is needed to remove odors and soils completely. When one or more factors are off, you may be left with smelly clothes despite your best efforts.
Be vigilant about habits like overloading, insufficient cleaning and poor storage if your washing lacks that fresh scent you desire. Test adjusting water temperature, drying and detergent amounts to dial in better results. With some tweaking of techniques, you can get back to laundry that makes you say “ahhh” instead of “ewww” when you open the dryer door.
