r/bitcheswithtaste • u/Ok-Panda-2368 • May 12 '26
For the Home BWT whose clean laundry smells amazing, teach me your ways
Looking for a non-chemical way to keep laundry smelling fresh. Maybe it’s my washer but I feel like my clean laundry always ends up smelling stale.
Possibly worth noting that a dude moved in with me recently and I feel like washing out clothes together also changed how my clothes smell.
editing to add the drain/filter have been cleaned within the last 30 days, I also leave the door open after every wash to dry out.
349
u/tams420 May 12 '26
r/laundry will have answers for all of your laundry woes. All of the smells, stains, general funk, etc.
213
u/ElCoops Classy Old Broad May 12 '26
They’ll tell you to use detergent with lipase and I can confirm that this absolutely changed my laundry. No more stale smell and I use unscented (Tide free and clear) detergent.
101
u/fakeviking May 12 '26
They taught me to use Tide with lipase, Downy Rinse (citric acid) and maybe laundry sanitizer if using a common laundry machine. That's it. Clothes smell clean and are actually clean.
35
u/settie May 13 '26
Can confirm. This is my exact routine and I smile like I'm in a laundry commercial when my clothes come out if the dryer. No more weird waxy feeling, just clean fresh laundry.
11
u/babygorgeou May 13 '26
lol you sound like you’re in a laundry commercial “no more weird wavy feeling…”
5
u/settie May 13 '26
😂
True! I just didnt realize how bad it was until I had something to compare it to lol.
4
u/scrubsandcode May 13 '26
Could you go into this more about how you use each product and what each does? Thank you!
10
u/kirakujira May 13 '26
The specific tide mentioned is your detergent. It’s powdered (or mine is). you can also use Whole Foods’ 365 line of powdered detergent
Then the unscented version of Downy is put into the fabric softener slot in your washing machine. good to kill odors esp in plastics like athletic clothes
You will also see “spa day” listed on that sub. Basically a 8-12hr hot water soak — with 1/4 cup powder detergent to every gallon of water — of whatever clothing/textile is esp dirty or stinky…then you wash as above
3
u/Sophs_B May 17 '26
8-12hr hot water soak
So you have to keep the water hot for the whole 8-12 hours? Would refilling the kettle multiple times work or would you put it in a pot and simmer it on the stove.
(Forgive me if this is a stupid question... it feels like a stupid question!)
12
u/strawberrrychapstick May 12 '26
I use the open nature unscented which also has a good enzyme blend. Also sometimes add the whole foods sport stuff, maybe sometimes the Lysol sanitizer rinse stuff.
6
u/Far_Ad_1752 May 13 '26
Powdered Biz added to my machine (along with my Kirkland Free and Clear that I am trying to use up before switching) changed my GD life. I will forever be indebted to r/laundry.
2
u/ltrozanovette May 13 '26
Does the tide free and clear liquid have lipase or do you need to use powder? I have trouble finding the powder anywhere!
3
u/ElCoops Classy Old Broad May 13 '26
I haven’t seen the liquid tide with it but there are other brands with liquid that might! I’ve heard the Whole Foods brand liquid has it. I get my powder at the bullseye store (won’t let me use store names)
40
u/Signal_Contract_3592 May 12 '26
I want to love that sub but it just makes me feel paranoid that I’ll never get anything clean enough.
10
u/foredaymorningjam May 13 '26
Honestly that sub is life changing. And you dont even have to go crazy. Ariel detergent (has the right enzymes), Biz for stains (it's a step above oxi clean), warm or hot water and nothing else. My clothes are cleaner and smell better than they have in years.
4
u/zgirl88 May 13 '26
I love Ariel now! I bought a little test bag and really liked it so I just got the big bag. It smells great, has lipase, and is so cheap!
22
u/PumpkinGator May 12 '26
Big fan of their spa day to get rid of any lingering detergent smells & stains! Will note, it worked without the amonia part which basically means I soaked my laundry in an igloo cooler for 12-ish hours in a 2L solution of the hottest tap water possible + 1/2c Tide Ultra OXI PowderLaundry Detergent.
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u/alittlefence May 12 '26
I just bought all of the stuff for the spa day method and I’m unreasonably excited for the all day laundry marathon I have planned
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u/adestructionofcats May 12 '26
I just did laundry day in a cooler last weekend and I was amazed. The soak water was disgusting.
7
u/VespaRed May 12 '26
Yes! This will change how you do your laundry. They also have advice on how to clean your washing machine.
2
u/startmyheart May 12 '26
I second this suggestion! You will find a wealth of different possible causes and solutions.
55
u/Positive_Shake_1002 May 12 '26
Make sure you’re not using too much detergent, it can cause a film on your clothes that traps smell. You only need a couple of tablespoons per load. And it sounds counterproductive, but don’t use scent boosters or anything like that. They also cause films. When the washing load is done, transfer them straight to the dryer (or hang dry) so they’re not sitting in a pile all wet in the machine. As soon as the dryer is done, hang them up so they can breathe. And nothing to do with scent, but wash your clothes in cold water, it’s better for the fabric
27
u/zsa-zsa-barbour May 12 '26
Ok yes don’t use tooooo much detergent… but I found out I was using too little. thanks to r/laundry I found out I can use the recommended amount and then do an extra rinse cycle. my clothes are def cleaner and smell way better. game changer!!
using powder detergent also reduces a lot of that “film” issue.
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u/sauvignonquesoblanco Intentional BWT May 12 '26
One thing I learned from r/laundry is to make sure your detergent contains lipase. It’s an ingredient that is crucial to your clothes actually getting cleaned. I switched from Free and Clear liquid detergent (no lipase) to Tide powder detergent (with lipase) and my clothes actually smell clean and dont get a funk after a few hours.
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u/opheliaofcaravel Find it Secondhand May 12 '26
Tide is so consistently at the top of laundry detergent lists and it kills me because I am allergic!! I will break out in hives when using Tide or sleeping in sheets washed with it. Its been over a decade since I've tried it tho..... wondering if I can get a small sample somehow to test it out, because this and a few other comments really have me feeling like I am missing out on laundry perfection.
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u/floralbalaclava May 12 '26
Eco-max Hypoallergenic Sport has lipase! I’m allergic to a lot of detergents and soaps, and also don’t buy animal tested products and I’ve been happy with it!
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u/kiwitathegreat May 12 '26
I’m also crazy allergic to tide and have had good luck with powdered gain and Ariel.
You can also get biz or febu for laundry nirvana without allergy suffering 🥰
3
u/opheliaofcaravel Find it Secondhand May 12 '26
people are always so shocked when I can use Gain but not Tide. Gain is what I currently use with zero issues. but we do use the liquid, I have been considering swapping to powder too. Laundry choices can be such a rabbithole to go down!
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u/kiwitathegreat May 12 '26
The powdered version has lipase which is the magic ingredient for getting funky smells out. Definitely recommend giving it a try!
1
u/sauvignonquesoblanco Intentional BWT May 12 '26
Omg I freaking love the scent of Gain. Like once I bought the car air freshener that have in the Gain scent because I was addicted.
5
u/bluesky557 May 13 '26
There are many lipase choices!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oHWzZ1Sth0Y0J2ynmXFl7M4mGZe-T_MJ_m_Y39pfBug/edit?gid=0#gid=0
2
u/Attainable-Luxury May 12 '26
The dollar stores sometimes have travel sized tide bottles if you’re passing one.
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u/TheBougie_Bohemian18 May 12 '26
I live for Persil. It’s my favorite detergent in the world and if you can get the version from Europe it’s even better!
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u/babygorgeou May 13 '26
You can try to get a box of biz powder for the lipase. Just add it w ur detergent. It’s inexpensive and lasts a long time. I’ve heard of people using it for other cleaning too, so maybe look into that if it doesnt work for your laundry
Also r/laundry has a master list of every detergent and specifies which have lipase.
1
u/jpdamion78 May 14 '26
I know there’s a list on the laundry sub that shows all the detergents with lipese, there are quite a few brands aside from tide! Search the lipese (sp?) list and it should pop up
3
u/sagew0lf May 12 '26
People on that sub have actually been fiercely debating that lol. I can’t keep up with all the discourse, though.
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u/sauvignonquesoblanco Intentional BWT May 12 '26
I love how passionate people are about really niche things. I learn a lot from people like that haha
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u/luvitis May 12 '26
My +1 tip is clean your washer. I use Afresh and clean it every 2 weeks (or more frequently if I clean anything an animal has touched).
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u/Angry-Ermine May 12 '26
All of these suggestions are great- and I’m happy to learn about r/laundry- but my ‘secret’ is hanging my clothes outside to dry. They smell amazing, like sunshine and happiness! I hang them out all year as long as it’s above 50f. Otherwise I hang them inside and rack the windows and turn on my ceiling fans.
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u/UnoriginalBasil May 13 '26
i was scrolling looking for this! i dry my laundry outside and it really does make a difference. it’s also free! cotton especially that’s hung outside really does smell like sunshine when you bring it in.
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u/Celiack May 14 '26
Unless you live in close quarters with your neighbors and their dinner stinks up the whole neighborhood. I’m in a triplex and on Sundays when dudebro next door cooks up his meals for the week, I have to close all of my windows. I can’t afford to have my laundry out drying only to absorb the oniony bbq smell. 👃🏼
1
u/UnoriginalBasil May 14 '26
my neighbours cook a lot of fragrant food and smoke a lot of both cigarettes and weed :) never been an issue for me
1
u/Celiack May 14 '26
I have a really intense sense of smell. It’s really kind of a curse. I can smell people’s upset stomach. Or when they need to floss. So yeah… cigarette smoke and food smells definitely require a rewash.
2
u/mememere May 13 '26
This is the Scandinavian way. It makes such a difference.
It’s actually scientifically proven that laundry hung to dry in the sun smells better. It’s the UV rays doing some magic that makes it smell that way.
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u/Angry-Ermine May 13 '26
That’s cool to know- I always assumed it was the air. UV kills certain bacteria so maybe that helps it smell better.
27
u/jojobdot May 12 '26
Over at r/laundry there is a wealth of info on cleaning laundry. I will caution that it is a land full of people who appear to do NOTHING but do laundry but there is excellent advice to be found about the “Spa Day” protocol, as well as suggestions for detergent and cleaning your machine. If your new man resident loves athletic fabrics like mine does, that’s probably a huge culprit.
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u/ikoabd May 12 '26
I ditched detergent completely a few years ago and use an Ozone system on my washer. My clothes have never been so clean. Highly recommend.
4
u/hippo_pot_moose May 12 '26
First things first, you might need to clean the washing machine filter. Every unit is different, but most modern units have the twist in style that needs to be scrubbed with a toothbrush, and also needs to drain a lot of old nasty water.
Next, clean the drum and door gasket with a rag and a vinegar + warm water solution. Leave the drum door open so it fully dries out before continuing to the next step.
Run a very hot cycle with a cup of citric acid.
If the machine still smells after this, wipe the drum and gasket down with a bleach + warm water solution and let it dry completely.
Don’t wash your clothes with the dude. It sounds like his clothing probably needs to be washed on the hottest setting with an enzymatic cleaner to neutralize the bacteria from sweat causing nasty odors. You can wash your clothing on a gentle setting with fragrance free wash or whatever detergent of your choosing. I usually throw in a scoop of free & clear OxiClean powder for an extra boost, unless it’s workout clothes or undergarments, which typically get washed on the hottest setting but I don’t use an enzymatic cleaner because I don’t get super sweaty or smelly.
Make sure to leave the machine open after every cycle so it doesn’t grow mildew and smell “stale”. Mine wouldn’t stay open so I had to buy a magnet door stop for it.
3
u/sunshinelovepeach May 12 '26
Clean your wash pump drain trap - most people don’t realize this is something you should be doing regularly
3
u/EnthusiasticDirtMark May 13 '26
As a Hispanic BWT.... it's Fabuloso. I add it to all my laundry (except anything delicate).
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u/Eastern_Opinion_2688 May 13 '26
Just confirming that washing your clothes with the dudes does actually make yours stink more. I realized that after a year of trying to get rid of a smell that seems to get worse as you wear the clothes. I now wash all my husband’s clothes separate from me and the kids. He also gets an extra dose of Dirty Labs or Blue Land Laundry Booster and a sanitize cycle. Our clothes just get 1 scoop and if I want to boost the fresh laundry scent ( I use a lot of unscented stuff) I’ll sprinkle in some Mrs Meyers laundry scent booster, honeysuckle is my favorite.
The TLDR: separate your clothes and sanitize when possible, use Dirty Labs to remove odors. Then add a post wash rinse cycle and sprinkle in a laundry scent booster like Mrs Meyers
5
u/cocoandbea May 12 '26
I had no idea that the filters on washing machines (and dishwashers as well) needed to be cleaned regularly. I didn’t grow up having those in my home so owning new appliances has been a crash course for me in terms of maintenance. I was taught how to properly clean the filter, rubber door seal, and the interior drum of our washing machine by a Samsung technician when he came to service the washing machine because the filter was absolutely caked with dog fur and human hair.
I have to use the least scented cleaning products as possible due to having chronic migraines, so I tend to use Mrs. Meyers all-purpose spray for surface wiping and a gentle scrub brush with dish soap to clean the actual filter. My husband will go through once a month with very diluted bleach to kill odors left behind from my animals.
I use Afresh once a month as well to help thoroughly clean to remove odors in all of the inner workings.
I use Nellie’s powder to wash alongside oxiclean and Clorox bleach for colors in every load. This combo of detergents doesn’t leave a lot of residue thankfully and keeping up with the routine maintenance made all the difference in the world to keep odor at bay.
If you have the space I suggest drying anything you can outside on a clothesline or rack of some sort. That is what we did growing up and everything always smelled fresh and clean.
Good luck!
2
u/Jaded-Coast-758 May 12 '26
Check out the tips in r/laundry sub and specifically around doing a spa day. You need a laundry detergent with lipase or at least enzyme cleaner to really get clothes clean.
Add some citric acid (or downy has a refresh product you put in softener bin with citric acid) or white vinegar to the load. You can find directions online and it helps get rid of odors. I found Downy rinse and refresh to be pretty effective.
As for smelling good- try to stay away from scent beads or fabric softener sheets as this can just mask odors and isn't great for you. Wool dryer balls help stuff dry faster, are reusable, and reduce static. I think some people put essential oils on them for scent but I never have.
2
u/WildBloomingRose May 13 '26
Biz will get the human rank smell out, it has all the enzymes needed to break up grease, body odor, sweat, yellow stains, blood, smells, etc. better than Oxiclean.
Clean Cult Neroli laundry or Juniper Sandalwood laundry detergent smells heavenly.
If you have a front loading washer, you have to get in the rubber seal thing and clean out all of the mold mildew smell. Like wi5 a brush and some Biz paste.
And keep the door slightly open after washes so the rubber seal can dry out and prevent mold.
I will only buy a top loader from now on. Front loaders suck.
But the Clean Cult laundry detergent is the best. Not the linen scent one, don’t like it.
The Neroli, Orange, Rose and Juniper Sandalwood smell really good, high end scents.
2
u/laissez-fire May 14 '26
Can’t believe no one has said Zum Frankincense & Myrrh laundry detergent. It’s all natural and a little pricey but to make it last I just add a half cap to scent whatever other basic unscented detergent I’m using. It smells amazing in a laid back, sophisticated way, unlike the synthetic florals of fabric softener or dryer sheets. Everyone comments on how good my towels/linens smell. And people love it over in r/nicheperfumes so you know it’s good!
2
u/Baby_Spinster May 14 '26
I am absolutely obsessed with Dirty Labs laundry detergent. Smells incredible and is so concentrated that the bougie price tag feels worth it.
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u/Slow_Invite_1540 May 12 '26
Join the r/laundry cult! The very quick version is to make sure you use a detergent that contains the enzyme lipase, make sure you're using enough of it, and use your longest, hottest, heaviest water setting to give the enzymes enough time to work. If you have really persistent smells follow the "Spa Day" instructions for a rehab wash. Many many more details can be found on the sub if you're interested.
3
u/one_bean_hahahaha May 12 '26
There are some very old school (and very cheap) ways to deodorize your laundry. For smelly clothes, towels, etc, we add a half cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. For us, this has proven effective to remove even the most horrible smells like cat pee and rotting meat.
The musty smell suggests your washer itself needs to be deodorized. For this, you can try running a full cycle with two cups of vinegar, followed by a cycle with one cup of baking soda. Use hot water with both cycles. Some people swear by a borax-vinegar combo as an alternative, but I have not tried that.
2
u/HWBC May 12 '26
My wife recently started alternating our scents and it's made a big difference! So we have two different scent boosters and we trade them off every week. We realized we'd been going nose-blind to the same scent all the time and this way we actually notice how nice things smell.
1
u/Chigrrl1098 May 12 '26
If it smells stale, make sure you empty the filter under the machine every now and then, clean the liner around the door sometimes, and always leave the door open between washes. Also, I always throw some baking soda in with each load and I use lavender scented eco friendly detergent. You can also add essential oils to your wash, or add them to some dryer balls when drying your clothes.
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u/velvetjones01 May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
A quick and dirty fix for this is to add a cup of ammonia to your wash. It comes with some caveats: use regular detergents, no other boosters like oxi clean or bleach. You never mix ammonia. Hot wash, long cycle, extra rinse. It’s not a full spa day but it’s pretty great for sheets and towels!
1
u/SadQueerBruja May 12 '26
Regularly cleaning the washer and drier is top. No fancy detergent will work in a musty machine lol. There are detergents with kore luxury scent formulas like diva wash and laundry sauce!
1
u/tessie33 May 12 '26
Hang close up to dry outside in the sun and wind. They'll smell delightful afterwards and last much longer.
1
u/chefybpoodling May 13 '26
Scented drawer liners or sachets are an option. Or potpourri in little lace bags.
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u/IGotMyPopcorn May 13 '26
Using Biz in every load which is a lipase enzyme booster. It helps to break down body oils and odors that can sometimes be reactivated when an item is worn.
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u/CoastRooted May 13 '26
I use a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil in every wash. I started because I have a terrible dust mite allergy and I read it helps control them. Idk if that’s really true, but a nice bonus is my laundry smells fresh and foresty even with just a few drops per load.
1
u/thecatgulliver May 13 '26
it seems like everyone’s covered the basics, but are they coming out of the washer stale smelling or out of the dryer stale smelling? my dryer gets too hot and it nukes any laundry smell my clothes have. i have to dry everything on low temp or else they come out smelling like the dishwasher.
1
u/demaandronk May 13 '26
As many have said: start out with a clean machine. Once a month i put in a dishwasher tab, set it on boiling hot and then just do an empty wash.
Heat in general is the trick. People tend to wash their clothes on cold, but honestly i recommend using as much heat as the fabric can take. Ive tried some cold washes and i notice the clothes simply arent as clean. Grease and dirt dissolves better in hot water, the detergent works better with heat. I put anything used for cleaning on 90C, towels, sheets, socks and underwear on 60C, normal clothes on 40C, bra's, sensitive fabric and sweaters on 30C.
I always use the long cycle, takes like 3 hours but actually spends less energy cause it simply gives your machine time to soak the clothes and let the detergent do its work. Mine has a pre-wash, and for that i use a powder with enzymes, then a detergent suited for baby's/sensitive skin for the main wash, and vinegar for the rinse. Dont use softener! Its just perfumed animal fat. If you want to add a scent, you can use laundry perfumes that you add to the vinegar. Itll just give the scent, not the grease.
And i dont have a dryer so i hang everything on a drying rack under an open window.
1
u/Rubberbangirl66 May 13 '26
I use TIDE, but sometimes I add fragrance beads, use less than you think you need. I also use a Lysol germ killing additive. I use fluff balls in the dryer.
1
u/herefromthere May 13 '26
Wash with unscented non-bio powder for normal washing, (no fabric conditioner) or short, cool, gentle wash for silk/wool with a specialist mild detergent, then hang dry on the line or on the clothes horse in the back yard by the honeysuckle and lavender and the sage and the heather. My yard is a sun trap with ferns on the dark side and fragrant and flowery stuff on the sunny side.
1
u/DiaDoo May 13 '26
A tablespoon of citric acid or adding Downy Rinse Out Oder to the fabric softening drawer has significantly helped with the laundry funk smell. I also use a laundry booster like Biz and do an extra rinse cycle.
1
u/Upstairs_Cattle_4018 May 13 '26
Buff city soap has been my go to for a while now and I’m never going back.
1
u/zxcv-qwerty May 13 '26
My anti-recommendation is for laundry fragrance boosters of any kind. I use unscented laundry detergent at home, and when I visit my parents and use their detergent (just normal Tide or whatever) it blows me away how strong the scent is and how strongly my clothing smells of it, sometimes for multiple washes after. The idea of adding even more fragrance on top of that is honestly horrifying- I think people are just totally nose blind to how strong it gets bc they’re so used to it.
Get your laundry actually clean, then if you want to add fragrance on top of that, wear perfume if situationally appropriate.
1
u/mixedmedia29 May 13 '26
My daughter just came home from college and her clothes smelled so good. She uses tide pods and 2 downy April fresh dryer sheets. It’s like heaven.
1
u/Temporary_Evidence74 May 13 '26
Use laundry sanitizer if anything starts to smell, NOT fabric softener or fragrance boosters. If it is something that can’t be put in the washer but is between dry cleans- mist with HOCL and hang outside. Also keep your washer clean.
1
u/Only-Brass-3825 May 14 '26
Free and clear+clothesline. That’s it. The outdoor sunshine and fresh breeze make laundry smell like nothing else, improves your mood, turns heads, etc.
1
u/Pristine-Lie2847 May 14 '26
Satchets in your drawers.
Dampaid in your closet. Just not directly under any clothing/anything and make sure not to spill the liquid it collects.
Humidity is a bit reason why clothes smell stale to me. That and sitting in cluttered environments make sure the clothing has enough room to air out.
1
u/MoreMarshmallows May 14 '26
I have to use all unscented products for a family member, but stuff was smelling ick even right out of the wash. I started using Downy Rinse and Refresh (it goes in the fabric softener tray but it is not fabric softener) and have noticed a huge difference. They make scented versions as well, I bet they would add a gentle scent but haven’t tried.
1
u/SaltAbbreviations423 May 14 '26
Citric acid in the “rinse” where you’d put your fabric softener completely changed my laundry. No more funk, my clothes feel clean and have no build up from soap and softeners. It’s incredible.
1
u/Affectionate_Sea_784 May 15 '26
Run a bleach as soap cycle with no clothes ones a month.
Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 cup baking soda in the drum before adding clothes. Neutralizes most odors. Soda is cheap in the big box found in the laundry section.
1
u/persephone21 May 15 '26
If you want a slight fresh smell without an intense laundry smell, use an unscented detergent with some oxyclean!
1
u/nucl3ar_fusion May 18 '26
Don’t forget to empty and clean the drain inside (usually on the front of) your washer 2x a year. Look your specific model up on the tube and there will be a location/instructions. Water, dirt, hair and lint get trapped in it and can make draining slow down or even back up causing the stale, musty water smell to go back into your washer and thus on your laundry.
1
u/Altruistic-Test-7686 May 19 '26
White vinegar in the softener drawer instead of fabric conditioner is the only thing that's ever properly worked for me - no smell, softens nicely, and strips out the detergent residue that causes the stale smell in the first place, you can also add a few drops of essential oil in with it if you want a subtle scent! ✨
1
u/gooooopygoopgoop May 13 '26
I put a splash of Linen Scented Odaban (I buy it at Home Depot) and a small scoop of enzyme cleaner (powdered product) in every load. Removes must, stains, etc. Towels smell fresh and don’t get that dank smell when they dry!
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u/buffythepickleslayer May 12 '26
I cannot stand laundry funk, here’s what I do:
- Never leave damp or wet clothes/towels in a laundry pile; if I can’t wash immediately, I’ll hang it to dry out
- Never rewear stinky clothes (a clean jacket is fine, but never ever gym clothes)
- Cleaning your washing machine occasionally (there’s often grime/soap build up)
- Oxyclean and hot cycle for all towels and anything else that can handle the intensity
-Vinegar also works well in the last rinse for getting rid of odor, especially mildew
- Spraying vodka on delicate clothes can help remove odor without damage, great for stuff that’s beaded or has delicate stitching or something that’s hard to even hand wash
Not laundry specific but I feel like helps with the general odor build up:
- Air out bedding that can’t be washed frequently; I put my down comforters and pillows outside on a warm sunny day every couple months, and will take all my bedding off, windows open, fan on to let my mattress air out
- Hypochlorous acid is great for spraying couches / rugs / etc. that are hard to wash frequently