Quck answer
Sour-smelling laundry can be eliminated by following these steps:
1. Sort your laundry properly: Separate whites, colors, and delicates to avoid color bleeding and prevent odor transfer.
2. Use the right amount of detergent: Too much detergent can leave a residue that leads to odor. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended amount.
3. Wash in hot water: Hot water helps kill bacteria and removes odor-causing agents. However, check the care labels of your clothes to ensure they can be washed in hot water.
4. Add vinegar or baking soda: These natural odor eliminators can be added to the wash cycle to neutralize sour smells.
5. Dry thoroughly: Ensure your laundry is completely dry before storing. Damp clothes can develop a musty smell.
By following these steps, you can eliminate sour-smelling laundry and enjoy fresh-smelling clothes.
Doing laundry may not be the most enjoyable task, but nothing beats the feeling of pulling out fresh, warm laundry from the dryer – unless, of course, that first whiff is unpleasantly sour instead of clean. Sour-smelling laundry can have various causes, so it is important to identify the root of the problem and address it accordingly. Once you have solved the issue, rewashing your clothes will restore their fresh scent. Are your clothes smelling sour lately? Here is what causes it and what you can do about it.
Causes of Sour-Smelling Clothes
Sour-smelling laundry can be attributed to a number of factors. Identifying the cause can help you effectively resolve the problem.
At times, your washing machine may be dirty, resulting in unpleasant odors on your clothes when you wash them. This is more common with front-loading machines, as their tight seals can contribute to the issue. Using too much laundry detergent or not fully drying your clothes can also lead to a funky smell. Additionally, a buildup of bacteria in the fabric can cause sour odors.
Methods to Eliminate Sour-Smelling Laundry
1. Clean the Washing Machine
While your washing machine is designed to clean your clothes, it does not clean itself. The fabric softener, detergent, and other additives used to freshen and cleanse your clothes can accumulate in the machine, resulting in odors. Front-loading machines are especially prone to mold and mildew growth along the seals, which can also cause unpleasant smells.
Here is how you can clean the interior of your washing machine:
- Remove the soap tray and any other removable parts, and wash them in the sink using mild soap or vinegar.
- Wipe the rubber seal, if your machine is front-loading. Check for any mold or mildew and remove it.
- Clean the inside of the drum, the soap dispenser, and other non-removable parts using vinegar and a soft sponge or cleaning brush.
- Run an empty wash cycle on the hottest setting, adding 1 cup of vinegar to the machine before starting the cycle.
Tip
If you have a front-loading machine, make sure to wipe the seal dry after each use. You can also leave the door open until the seal is completely dry. This will prevent the growth of mold and mildew, reducing the chances of odors.
2. Rewash the Clothes
Once you have ensured that your washing machine is clean, it is time to rewash your clothes. Follow these steps to eliminate the sour smell:
- Check the care instructions on your clothes to determine if they can withstand hot water. If they can, use the hot water setting to help kill the bacteria causing the odor. If not, use the highest water temperature recommended on the label.
- Measure the detergent carefully to avoid using too much.
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the load to remove bacteria and buildup in the clothing. Alternatively, you can sprinkle 1/2 cup of baking soda into the laundry and wash it as usual.
- If your washing machine has an extra rinse cycle, activate it to ensure that all the detergent is thoroughly rinsed out of your clothes.
- After the cycle is complete, check the smell of the clothes. If necessary, run them through another wash cycle to completely eliminate the odor.
Tip
Using vinegar regularly on your clothes can affect their elasticity over time. To prolong the lifespan of your garments, limit the frequency of vinegar use.
3. Ensure Your Clothes Are Completely Dry
If your clothes remain damp for an extended period, they can develop mildew or bacteria, leading to unpleasant odors. It is important not to put damp clothes or towels directly into your laundry basket, as this can cause the other laundry items to also become smelly. Instead, allow them to dry completely before adding them to the rest of your dirty clothes.
Your clothes dryer is another effective way to prevent your clothes from acquiring a foul smell. Once your clothes have been washed and smell clean, make sure to thoroughly dry them before removing and folding them. If you prefer air-drying, hang them outside or in a well-lit area to prevent any unwanted odors.
