How to Get Odors Out of Laundry

Make sure your washing machine is clean to ensure clean-smelling laundry.

It's a little easier than you might think for odors to start developing in your laundry. Maybe you haven't used the right detergent, or the laundry was sitting around in a moist place and developed a musty smell, possibly from mildew. Perhaps your washing machine itself needs a little cleaning. Take a few extra minutes and a use a couple of common household items to get back on track to a clean load of laundry.

Things You'll Need

• Bleach
• White vinegar
• Laundry detergent
• Fabric softener

Instructions

1. Run a full wash cycle with 1 cup of chlorine bleach on hot water. Do not put any laundry into the washing machine. This will clean the inside of the machine.

2. Place 2 cups of white vinegar in with a load of laundry that has strong odors, such as smoke or mildew. Wash it on as hot of a water setting as the garments will allow.

3. Run the laundry through another cycle with your normal laundry detergent. Add some liquid fabric softener according to label instructions.

4. Line dry or machine dry the laundry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you line dry your laundry outside, you will get that natural fresh outdoors scent.

References

• Vinegar Tips: Laundry
• Good Housekeeping: How to Clean a Washing Machine