Use Ecover but clothes still smell sweaty...is Ecover not really any good?

[OlderNotWiser]

I just wondered since Im finding that t shirt armpits just dont seem to get clean enough and can still smell of old deodrant/armpit smell after a wash, when they are put back on. My washing machine is newish so shouldn't be that, so just wondered if the detergent isnt up to the job. I live in a very hard water area, dont know if that makes a difference. Any tips on removing smells from clothes...? TIA for any ideas.

[nickytwotimes]

Are you using the bio or non-bio.

the bio is fab, the non bio is rubbish, ime.

Also, use the fabric softener too.

[squeakypop]

Of course Ecover is rubbish.

[TooTicky]

I like Clearspring better.

[tumpymother]

I found it to be rubbish and got fed up with feeling like my clothes and towels were never very fresh - esp at this time of year when things aren't dried outside. So I went back to using a "normal " one. Heartened to hear about the bio one so will give that a go as would really prefer to be using eco friendly

[expatinscotland]

i never used it.

i use lidl bio liquid and non-bio powder for the girls' stuff as DD1 has sensitive skin - and for DS's stuff as well.

but i also don't wash at 30 degrees, either.

[OlderNotWiser]

Using the non-bio...will check out the bio then, thanks. Haven't heardo f clearspring - will look that up too, ta.

[Anna8888]

Wash hotter.

Both detergent (quantity and quality) and heat of water, as well as the quality of your machine, will make a difference to how clean your clothes are after washing.

[nickytinseltimes]

Oh, yes, if I use Ecover, I always wash at 40, sometimes 60 for towels. If I use conventional stuff I do 30.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

I have just gone over to Tesco's eco range"Tesco Naturally" bio tablets and these are fine. I had the same problem as you with smelly armpits, etc.

[OlderNotWiser]

Hmm, already wash at 40 degrees and sometimes more if its just whites so probably not that then. Machine is a good-ish new one so have ruled that out too. Perhaps me and DH are just more sweaty than average

[nickytinseltimes]

Not sweaty, just harder working.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

No - it's the Ecover, really. It's not very good. The Tesco Naturally leaves a nice fresh smell to the clothes, but not overpowering like conventional washing powders.

[SachaF]

I use Ecover for everything, including the nappies. They smell lovely when they come out of the wash. I do everything at 40 and an occassional wash at 60 (meant to be good for the machine?). Occassionally I add napisan to the nappies and Vanish to the clothes, depending on how I feel at the time. I tried the Tesco's one and didn't like it, it didn't get stuff clean.

[IlanaK]

I find this too. Though its not sweaty armpits for us. Its the milky sick smell of all the bibs, muslins, etc. It just doesn't go away. We use non-bio due to sensitive skin too. I wonder if we could change to bio?

[OlderNotWiser]

So, TSLB, has the smelly problem resolved since you swapped...?

[onepieceofbrusselssprout]

I use white vinegar for sweaty armpits on the clothing, not the actual armpits! Take care if the clothes are delicate though.

Just dab some on neat, then wash fairly straightaway.

[OlderNotWiser]

X posts TSLB!

nicky...I like your thinking!

[Anna8888]

60°, Ariel and Vanish would work better for whites.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

Yes, deffo. No more smelly problem, and it gets rid of other stains that would have normally taken two washes to get out - essential since DS started school in September.

[expatinscotland]

i agree, a hotter wash, folks.

[Anna8888]

[OlderNotWiser]

Bizarrely Anna whites are not my problem...ecover at 40 degrees copes fine! But throw an armpit into the equation and it all goes horribly wrong...

[Anna8888]

It has become fashionable (thank you Procter & Gamble) to wash at low temperatures.

Bacteria and bed mites are not killed by low temperatures - you need 60° minimum for smelly clothes and bedding/towels in order to kill the germs (which are causing the smells).

[OlderNotWiser]

One more question since it has come up...I thought you were meant to wash coloured clothes at lower temps..? I would blanche at washing a red t shirt (for instance)much above 40 degrees. I have this vision of it coming out bled of its colour.

[OlderNotWiser]

X posts Anna!