Washing smells of nothing at all - I’ve tried it all!

[chobmon]

This is boring but it’s annoying me ...

I love the smell of clean laundry, although I know some people don’t want the fragrance. I can always smell my mum’s and my friend’s clothes, but mine smell of nothing. They smell of nothing straight out of the machine despite using softener, then of nothing after tumble drying despite using softener sheets. They are clean, but no fragrance at all! I don’t want them to be strong, but I love that smell of drying laundry.

All I can think is that my loads are too big (my washing machine takes 10kg though I don’t fill it) and the dispenser sets the maximums too low. Is there anything else I can try, please? It’s not just that I’m used to the smell either, because I optimistically try different products every time!

I really like the Lenor scent boosters for gym wear, think they're called Active.

I’m the same love my washing to smell fresh but not overpowering.

Are you using enough detergent as I have a 9 kg washer and the recommended dose for detergent on the back didn’t cover larger machines, so I put 70ml in instead of 50ml.

I don’t use the dispenser drawer for detergent I put it straight in machine with the cap then have the fabric conditioner go through dispenser.

I find if I dry it in the sun it smells awful no matter what detergent I use so only dry outside on cloudy days. I use tumble dryer rest of the time

I no longer use scent boosters as it’s fine without

Cleaning the filter regularly makes a difference To smells of your washing.

The unstoppables are poisonous to wildlife.

I used to have this problem, but I now use a bio powder (along with fabric conditioner) and washing now smells lovely

Mine never smells nice either. I wondered if it's because I live in a hard water area.

I had this so washed the machine seal (it was filthy and took ages to get clean) then I put machine in for 90 minute boil wash with no soap power. Worked a treat.

The tumble dryer takes away all fragrance from washing.

I like clean washing smell too but I recently bought the yellow Comfort fabric conditioner and found it overpoweringly strong smelling - so much so that I started using half the recommended amount. Maybe try that?

My washing smells strong, I pour loads in.

I use persil gel tabs, lenor scent boosters and blue comfort. Then throw them in the dryer with lenor dryer sheets. I might also spray with some fabric spray.

Do you wash your washer?

Omg I was thinking about this this morning 😂 I concluded the tumble dryer kills the smell. If I'm drying delicates on the radiator or dryer, they keep the smell. Tumble dried clothes= no.

Thank you for all your replies! I’ve actually made a list of things to try, so eager am I!

I can see that people are saying that they use a lot of softener, but I can’t do that because the washer has a really low ‘maximum’ line and if I put too much in it drains out straight away! Is there any way around this?

Also, I think I probably do need to clean the machine ! How do you do this, just wipe the seal and run a hot wash?

I have to say this thread has been disappointing reading for me!

I already use powder
I already use biological not non bio
I always pop a capful of zoflora in the fabric conditioner drawer, the bouquet one 😍
My washing machine seal is regularly cleaned
My tumble dryer filter is cleared after every load.

Frustrating!

I’ve just finished a tumble dry load now, the whole downstairs beautifully florally perfumed while it’s drying, then it clicks for the end of the cycle and poof, all smell gone!

The gold lenor and the red one both have really strong smells. I use loads of them. My clothes still smell of it after weeks in the wardrobe

chobmon if doing a deep clean You need to get right in behind the door seal, I use an old toothbrush you’ll be amazed at how much gunk accumulates.
Also remove detergent drawer and give that and the recess a thorough going over.

The filter at the bottom of the machine is usually where the serious crap gathers, this can really affect the functionality of machine as well as smells to washing. Remove it and clean every bit you can get to.

The last time I slacked on this I collected £5.25 in coins hair grips a money grip a button, a cotton bud etc as well as a shit load of fluff dust and hair.....truly shocking! 😮

After you’ve done this you can run the machine empty on a hot wash or run a washing machine cleaner through it.
Then it’s just a case of maintaining it.

Ps I also use persil bio and comfort pure!

this is why laundry smells nice when dried in the sun anyway

scicommforeveryone.com/2020/07/07/the-smell-of-line-dried-laundry/

I hate the smell of fabric softener, it's a very wet, dense, perfumed smell that permeates everything and overpowers. Laundry that smells of nothing is a win in my book, if I can't have it dried outside!

Sorry to put a dampener on things, but laundry fragrance is carcinogenic. See article.

www.trueself.com/problem-with-scented-laundry-detergent-2605969483.html

My washing always smelt lovely in my old machine. We had to buy a new one recently because the bearings went - it's the same make, newer version of the same model, and I'm using the same detergent and softener, but everything comes out with a vague chemical/fumey smell on it, almost like exhaust fumes. The manufacturer sent an engineer out to look at it and he said there was nothing wrong with it, it was just new and the smell would wear off, but four months down the line it's still the same. It's not the rubbery smell you get with new washing machines - that wore off quickly but this is an entirely separate smell. I've done maintenance washes at 90 degrees with white vinegar and it hasn't helped; nor has cleaning the seals. Any ideas?

I dont really like overpowering detergent smell...dried outdoors is lovely though

Just bought this week some Morrisons non bio and we've all said the smell is really strong even though we have used it before

Astonish do a non bio liquid I can still smell a cardigan after a few days
Also Lidl Powder is strong scented. I love it.

I really hate the smell of laundry detergent @chobmon
It gives me a wheeze.

Consider yourself lucky as research shows it can cause cancer.

Your machine is doing it’s job by rinsing properly.

Lenor conditioner especially the new purple one

I cant stand fabric conditioner on my clothes...they feel as though they have a residue on them...id suggest using a decent quality powder...either Ariel or Persil.

I've always used the separate liquid and conditioner but on a whim I bought a box of Persil pods - oh my word it made such a difference to the smell, despite the fact that there is way less product than what I was using before.

I'm using the Ariel ones now and they're equally as good.

Due to this success I decided to buy some scent boosters, gold orchid, think it's Lenor. And I use these for towel or bedding washes, they do make a difference although I wouldn't say it's huge.