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).

People have become conditioned by advertising, to think they have to smell of something that has been created in a lab and that their homes stink so they must spray it with crap to mask the stink.

Too much fabric softener. My daughter in law uses far too much and I can smell it on me after visiting. There are worse things to smell but it can be very overpowering.

I mentioned that earlier, yes, people are daft enough to add toxins to their wash. As if there's not enough garbage added to it with the detergents, conditioners and balls. Seems that hot water and detergent aren't enough. Blame marketing for it, people don't think things through.

I find hanging stuff outside gets rid of overpowering laundry smells. I’ve done this with a few bits from the charity. Bit tricky this time of year though

I can't get my washing to retain the washing powder smell and it drives me insane. I love nice smelling washing 🤷‍♀️

@CatNutsRoastingByAnOpenFire yes! It was your post that made the lightbulbs go off - because the stuff I’ve received in the post is not just minging fabric conditioner (a La ex-mil) - it’s far beyond even the most laundry-driven.

I have very sensitive skin and use nothing but Fairy non-bio powder (and about 2/3 of the recommended amount!)

If I'm washing something from Vinted I use white spirit vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer and find that tends to neutralise strong artificial smells, but the best solution is definitely to hang it out on the line for the day if you can. There's no better smell than fresh washing off the line! (Assuming you don't live next to a glue factory or similar)

If only.
What I bought off ebay have been on the washing line lots of times and they still stink. I wouldn't mind, but they're trainers and smell too bad to wear.
I've tried pretty much everything.

i love washing smells! My friend always used to comment the could always smell my kids coming 🤣. I don’t use the beads though as they are really harmful to the environment.
Esch to their own, your sil might think you smell doggy etc- we all have our own smell of our home. Just open some windows if it’s annoying you.

The fresh smell of daz and the white comfort softer is my favourite it’s the soapy smell that I like.

plugins actually give me headaches so I can understand how softeners could affect someone in the same way.

I can only smell my clean washing for an hour afterwards, so once its put away the smell has gone. Same for my daughter's washing using different products in her own home. Now I'm wondering if I'm one of these "smelly" people

I use Daz bio and blue Comfort due to horrendous static (plus I like that clean smell).

Laundry detergent itself is toxic

Houses all have their own scent too, you could blindfold me and take me into every family/friend home and I could tell you who it is.

DD is always having sleepovers so clothes that are not ours are often discovered, I can tell by the smell what friend it belongs too. Dd thinks I'm a proper witch lol

I love the smell of fresh laundry, but always find it disappears if line drying. When we have been away I can smell the dog (huge but short haired) and I always have laundry airing or candles on.

Youngest DDs room now smells of gingerbread after her obsession with the candles at Xmas.