When we do laundry in the washing machine, it’s often in the hope of having the pleasure of going to bed in sheets that smell clean, clothes that sparkle with freshness and soft towels to curl up in afterward. the shower. However, all our hopes are sometimes ruined by laundry that smells bad after washing. Instead of smelling clean, laundry detergent, fabric softener, the laundry smells musty, musty and/or damp… We reassure you: this type of small bad odor can happen to everyone. And luckily, that rarely means the washing machine is ruined. Here are the reasons why laundry smells bad after being washed and all the little solutions to put in place.
Cause #1: You put too much detergent or not enough
Very often, we tend to use more detergent. Indeed, we tend to think that if we use more, the laundry will only smell better and be washed better. However, commercial detergents (powder detergent and liquid detergent) are already very powerful. Also, by putting too much, we only clog the machine. As a result, this encourages the proliferation of bacteria causing odors. (Plus, we’re throwing money down the drain!) Whether you use classic or concentrated detergent, carefully follow the dosage instructions displayed on the back of the bottle. To do this, take into account both the weight and the degree of dirt of the laundry to get the right dosage. On very dirty laundry (sports clothes, etc.), you sometimes need to use a little more.
Cause #2: It’s a favorite breeding ground for bacteria
Very often, bacteria are the cause of unpleasant odors. They cling to textile fibers and never let go. However, the machine is a perfect place for them: the heatl’residual humiditythat’s everything they like. In fact, mold develops very quickly on the drum or the rubber seal of the machine. Then follow the smells…
Cause #3: Leave the machine closed
Do you close the hood or the door as soon as the laundry is finished and the drum is emptied? Bad idea because it lets bacteria grow in the washing machine. Indeed, with themoisture trapped insidethis facilitates the appearance of mold and bad odor. And when you use the machine for the next wash, the laundry smells bad because of the humidity and maceration induced by this bad habit. Ideally, you should therefore leave the product compartments as well as the machine open for at least two or three hours after washing. This will give the walls of the washing machine plenty of time to dry quietly and it will ventilate the appliance.
Cause n°4: The program chosen at fault
Certainly, a short wash cycle or cold wash is both more economical and environmentally friendly. However, if the laundry is very dirty at the base, it could come out visually clean after washing, but ultimately not be not washed well enough. As a result, germs are not completely destroyed by washing at this temperature and unpleasant odors persist. And if you have to run a second cycle to make up for it, you might as well lose the eco-friendly aspect… If the fabric is not suitable for washing at over 40°C, an additional pre-wash or rinse can help limit the damage.
And clothing disinfectant or white vinegar as a fabric softener will also help eliminate stubborn odors during washing. You can also add baking soda to the dose of detergent to benefit from its deodorizing power. Count between a tablespoon and a small glass depending on the extent of the odors. This is ideal when laundry smells bad due to sweat odors.
Cause #5: Letting the laundry languish in the machine
Smelly laundry is often caused by letting it sit in the drum for too long. Wet, tight and curled into a ball, it tends to macerate quickly and makes bacteria happy. So, if you run a machine, always be sure to program it so that wet clothes are laid out quickly.
How to maintain and clean your machine?
To avoid laundry that smells bad after washing, do every 6 months an empty cleaning of the machine. Whether the odors are linked to clogging of the machine due to product residue or to mold, washing will result in laundry that smells fresh. Often there is a special program for this. Otherwise, simply turn the machine on 90°C and start a cycle to kill bacteria with heat. During this major cleaning, you can use 3 liters of white vinegar (cleaner, stain remover and descaler). It can also be used by using it in place of chemical fabric softener. Otherwise, pour eight generous tablespoons ofcitric acid in the tank to dislodge the scale. Take advantage of cleaning your household appliance to:
-Clean the filter with soapy water if it is accessible
-Check the correct evacuation of waste water. If necessary, flush the inside of the pipe with baking soda and vinegar. Then finish with a rinse with vinegar and clean water.
-Clean the machine seal with clay stone, toothpaste or vinegar.
And after washing, what do we do to avoid laundry that smells bad?
Above all, do not fold the laundry until it is absolutely dry to avoid the phenomenon of maceration. Additionally, avoid smoking or grilling near drying laundry. When it is wet, all odors tend to quickly absorb into it ! Finally, laundry often smells bad, because it ends up piled up in overcrowded wardrobes. This explains why it smells musty. To avoid this, remember to slip soaps (such as Marseille soap or essential oil soap), cartons of fabric softener or sachets of dried lavender between piles of clothes and linens. Good smell guaranteed!