Club Benefits
There's nothing worse than feeling like you've finally got on top of all your laundry to then realize with a quick sniff that it all smells a bit... odd. It doesn't matter how much fragranced fabric softener you use, you can't seem to get your laundry smelling fresh anymore. In fact, you might even be making it worse.
While it's super frustrating, fortunately, there are five common washing machine mistakes you could be making that can be easily corrected to solve all your strange-smelling laundry woes.
1. Leaving the door closed
You may be in the habit of shutting the washing machine door once you've removed your laundry, maybe for space-saving or just because it feels right. But, for the sake of fresh-smelling laundry, you shouldn't.
Shutting the door locks in the moisture and doesn't allow the drum to dry properly before its next use. And if there's anything that'll make your clothes smell bad, it's dampness. Make sure to leave it open a little to circulate the air.
2. Not changing your setting depending on what you're washing
I'm certainly guilty of turning my washing machine to the exact same setting every single time, no matter what I'm washing. I've grown accustomed to running my wash on an eco-friendly setting, to save water and money, but that does mean I'm consistently keeping the temperature is quite low.
To ensure you're cleaning out the washing machine and breaking down bacteria, it's actually a really good idea to run your washing machine on a warm or hot wash occasionally. Plus, depending on what you're washing, there's a reason for different settings on your washing machine, each suited best at tackling particular laundry items.
3. Letting wet laundry sit in the machine
As I write this, I'm acutely aware that I have a wet laundry wash waiting to be dried. And right after this, I'll go and attend to it. Why? Because letting your wash sit in the washing machine is a surefire way to let odors sink in. The longer you leave it to just sit there, not drying properly, the more chance you'll have bad-smelling laundry.
Plus, if you've got any particularly wet clothes waiting to be washed, like bathing suits or workout gear, the faster you get these in the washing machine, the better. Letting your clothes sit and dry locks in bacteria, as well as bad smells.
4. Overfilling the drum
Now, here's something I always make sure I don't do. While it's very tempting to stuff as much laundry into your washing machine as possible to reduce the amount of times you have to run your washing machine, don't do it.
Overloading your washing machine with clothes will prevent your laundry from getting a proper wash because there's not enough space in the drum for them to spin. And then you'll end up having to run another wash anyway, so it's counterintuitive.
It's usually recommended to leave space for you to at least wiggle a hand around on top of the laundry when it's in the drum, or filling it up about three-quarters.
5. Not cleaning your machine properly
Just because your washing machine cleans clothes, does not mean it cleans itself. Over time, your washing machine will fall to the mercy of built-up detergent, grime and fabric softener and so, you need to make sure you're washing your washing machine.
For the best way to clean it, refer to the manufacturer's instructions. But, you'll often find a cleaning cycle setting available on your machine that'll do the hard work for you. Just make sure you're doing it on a regular basis and if your laundry begins to smell, you might want to do it a little earlier than scheduled.
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