Overpowering laundry smell

[EmpressOfTheSofa]

What would cause this? Is my SIL just using epic amounts of washing powder or something?

BIL has just been round and even though I was in a different room it’s all I could smell (which prompted me to post this now). And it’s lingered after he’s gone.

SIL is fond of handing down clothes and I’ve found they still smell of her/them after they’ve been washed. Christmas presents even smell of them. It’s in everything. The kids call it the ‘Auntie X smell’.

I mean, it’s not the most unpleasant thing to smell of but it is irritating. I don’t visit them except once in a blue moon but their house obviously smells overpowering as well.

I would never ever say anything (and my house probably smells weird to them, we have dogs) but but AIBU to think she must be doing something extra with her laundry routine to get this level of lingering aroma?

(oh and just to head off any remarks; it’s definitely SIL who does 100% of housework in their set up, it’s not me being sexist and assuming).

I've returned Ebay purchases because of it. I know from experience that it doesn't always wash out, not even after soaking and washing several times.

I hate the smell of biological washing powders/conditioners so overpowering and cheap.

Dilute the bottle with half water and shake. Don’t tell him. It’s why I have two bottle. I half the softener then add water and shake.

That is a GREAT suggestion, thank you!

I once had a pack of Tesco washing powder in the car and it stank to high heaven. It had to stay in the car as I couldn't have it near me. It went back for a refund, it was toxic.
I take stuff to charity shops for my neighbour and can smell it through the bags, turned out it was the Zoflora she adds to her washing. Artificial perfumes are really bad, headache and vomit inducing in some cases.
Another neighbour must use those strong detergents and conditioners. I can smell them across both gardens when she hangs the washing out. It is revolting.

I have put Ebay purchases into a bag and tied it up tightly before taking to charity shops, new items with tags. Always from M&S originally so not sure if it was something they were doing as I read about it online as a 'thing'. Couldn't keep them in the house long enough to wrap and return, had to get rid quickly.

I often ask first if the item stinks (not quite in those words) before purchasing but sometimes forget.

The ebay parcels stank in my case too. I had to open them outdoors.
After the first item, I requested returns.
I got a stroppy response, but the garment was something that would have faded and deteriorated if I'd soaked it and washed it a lot.

The fabric conditioner can feel slimy. Horrible stuff.

What an eye-opening thread! Meanwhile I've spent years trying to get that nice (subtle) clean laundry scent to last more than a couple of hours. I never knew people had the opposite problem!

Your BIL’s clothes smell strongly of washing powder and you’re wondering what way your SIL launders them!! Surely your BIL sticks on the laundry just as much as your SIL??

If people would check labels and see what is in these things, then do a quick check on what they do they might be less likely to pollute everything they come into contact with.
Fabric conditioner is horrible stuff, only useful if you need to try to unshrink wool.
There was a huge fuss about removing phosphates from detergents and now they have been replaced with toxic stenches that are as bad.
Then there is the black slime/mould in washing machines, never had that before all this crap was introduced. More stuff produced now in order to remove that when all that's needed is a decent detergent and no after wash slime.

I literally addressed that in my first post. He doesn’t do any of the laundry. They have a very traditional set up, she has never worked and does 100% of the housework.

You can unshrink wool?!

IMO it isn't. I have a really strong sense of smell and the smell of laundry irritates my eyes and lungs to the point where I'll have to leave the room. If someone smells like dog, it doesn't actually cause me physical irritation.

I once had to sell a 2nd hand car within days of getting it as the chemical clean smell inside was so strong it made me feel sick every time I drove it. I can't drink out of cups that have been washed in industrial dishwashers either as they stink of chemicals.

A Lush shop visit is out of the question.

Apparently you can, I read abut it, you have to soak it in fabric conditioner to replace the oils and then pull into shape.
I did it once when I had put socks in the dryer and they came out small, but they weren't wool so I don't know if it actually works. I thought once wool had felted it was past hope.

A few things I've ordered off vinted absolutely stink of overpowering laundry detergent.
I often find the pods smell to strong for me. I just use a small amount of persil unless it's a really dirty wash.

Bold washing powder is highly scented, can't use it because it makes all our allergies flare up.

Dog is easier to wash out, unless it is a long established smell, in which case an enzyme cleaner will shift most of it. The toxic fake perfumes are almost impossible to remove.
People think that heavily over perfumed stinks equal clean smelling.
I also have to leave rooms or houses if they are filled with toxic perfumes. I also need to move away from people in shops sometimes.

My NDN (detached houses) used to use vast amounts of fabric conditioner and when she hung her washing on the line, my garden absolutely stank of chemical fragrance. Really horrible.

I absolutely love the smell of fresh clean laundry, I’m now worried that I am one of these people who has gone nose blind and everyone else thinks my house stinks 😔 I didn’t realise so many people had an aversion to a strong smell of clean laundry!

Mrs Hinch has a lot to answer for!

I’ve got a feeling the stench so many of us are struggling with is not daz/persil etc but instead the madness which is zoflora.

Can you find out what she uses because I'd love that. Nothing seems to last on my washing

I love the smell of clean laundry but not the artificial poisons that are used in detergents. Clean laundry smells of fresh air and a little bit of something soapy, not a perfume factory on a bad day. I understand that people love smells but you get used to them after a while and think they are fainter so pile more stuff on.

It's hell for some people. Those of us who seek out fragrance free stuff even though they like some of the perfumes but are unable to be near them. Sneezing, burning eyes, running eyes and nose, rashes, headaches, nausea. You can be fine for years and then it all goes wrong and you can't be near it any more. It has become much worse since the banning of certain chemicals, it's as if manufacturers think they have to add stuff to make up for the stuff they had to remove.