AIBU? To think that a lot of people aren't drying their washing properly these days?

[Oobiedoobiedo]

I notice a lot when I'm out and about people who haven't dried their washing properly *, and so it has that sour musty smell washing gets when it's wet too long or isn't getting enough air. To me it's a really "loud" smell, and I just wonder if people don't notice it? Or maybe don't care?

*disclaimer: I'm not critiquing people whose circumstances mean they can't dry them any other way, I have been there myself, but the people who could dry it correctly but don't.

It just puzzles me.

But also, some people just aren’t that bothered by the smell, or avoiding it isn’t a priority for them. I don’t really have any issue with that, but people like the OP are always very “puzzled” but people prioritising things differently to them.

fwiw I use one of those balls with pellets in that goes directly into the washing machine drum, so no powder or liquid or capsules, and get no buildup of gunk

Preparing to be flamed here but:

This worries me so much that I spend a large amount of time and money avoiding it happening. I wash at 60°, occasionally 40°, I use silly amounts of softener and scent boosters, and tumble dry with dryer sheets. I wash things after one wash too. I know it's crap for the environment and considering the cost of electric to run the washing machine and tumble dryer it's ridiculous really, I know that... but... that musty/ strange smell of clothes op is talking about makes my skin crawl and I couldn't tell you why. It costs about £5-£6 a day extra to wash and dry two loads, plus probably another £1 with the amount of scent booster / softener. And I do that 6 days a week. That's £168 ish a month I'm paying on washing and drying. 😐 (only myself and two small kids in the house)

Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

*after one wear, sorry.

@Howannoyingislife , I just wanted to say I've been there and I get it. The restrictions around laundry times and bin days upset everyone when I was in temporary accommodation. Mums were always scrubbing soiled sheets in the bath and drip drying or getting bollocked by the warden for sneaking into the laundry room when it wasn't in use. It felt such a kick in the teeth.

I have a 90 degree ‘drum clean’ programme on my washing machine; I used it yesterday by accident. Unfortunately I intended to select a 30 degree wool wash for DH’s favourite, rather expensive, jumper . 😥

Oh no 😱 Dh did this with a merino jumper and by the time the error was realised it had gone from XL to fitting my 8yo.

Agreed- we live in a tiny 700 sq ft flat, it takes up a lot of space but we only use it at night and the rest of the time it stays folded up. We use it with a bloody amazing Meaco dehumidifier that I got for £40 from someone on Facebook (which I’m well aware is an absolute steal… I actually felt bad handing over the cash as she could have slapped another £100 on top of that and it would still have been a reasonable price). It’s not the most convenient or aesthetically pleasing set up but it’s necessary if you don’t want whiffy clothes and/or a damp home.

@Cookerhood no its definitely not an old people smell - this is definitely an 'oops we left the clothes in the machine for two days after washing but will air them dry anyway for a week in a corner then maybe put them away'!! My sisters are on the case too so we will sort it between us

@Somethingweirdisgoingon If you can afford a dehumidifier they are brilliant. I shut mine in the bathroom with a basic Home Bargains clothes airer. It dries things in around an hour and costs loads less than a cycle on the tumble dryer does.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C5RGNP7M?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

That's the one I have. You can use it as a cooler in the summer too. It was a lifesaver when I was on nights during that mini heatwave we had in September. The indoor temp needs to be above 16 degrees for the dehumidifier to work properly but even at temps lower than that it still removes a bit of water from the room.

Re: Scent boosters - Home Bargains version of Zoflora works just as well if not better and, is loads cheaper. Put a capful in the softener drawer. I do this when I do towels and bedding.

Can anyone recommend their dehumidifier please?

I was at someone’s house for dinner a few days ago when their washing machine finished early evening, they were busy feeding the baby so I asked if they wanted me to stick it in the tumble dryer and they said that the forecast is good for tomorrow so they’ll hang it out in the morning, I was a bit at the thought of wet washing being left in the machine for at least 12 hours

We have had 2 winters of washing cloth nappies and have learnt a lot!
Rinse wash if things are soiled. We now do this with the toddler clothes to see what food and craft stains wash out and what need a little attention.
Eco settings on the washing machine reuse the water from the washing step for the rinse step. It's a big no no in nappy wash circles
Powdered washing detergent so you can adjust the dose for the wash. Read the box and check how hard/soft the water in your area is
1st of the month run a maintenance wash on the washing machine.

Things I have generally learnt is cheap fabrics smell and deodorants in supermarkets are rubbish. I found myself slowly smelling more and more sweaty over 5+ years. Then I switched to a subscription deodorant and it's not the end of the world if I forget to put it on in the morning in my rush to head out of the door. Previously I had been applying multiple times a day

Take care of your clothes and spot clean any spillages to avoid a full wash and wash jeans and heavy material items as little as possible trying to pick a dry day so you can get it on the line. Our jeans probably get washed every 3-6 months. Same for hoodies and dressing gowns. I love the first dry spring days for getting them washed and out doors. If you can it's good to keep an eye on the weather for the best drying day. If you have the luxury of outside space flor course!

If my washing has been dried, folded and left in the basket fir a while i notice this smell, lack of air circulating? I have to wash it again. I cant wear it!

I would feel the same as you about that. Not only will the wet washing stink, the inside of the machine will too.
I would remove the wet washing into a basket, and then leave the washing machine door and detergent drawer open,

Could it be though that actually the reason this is happening so much more often is that more people are struggling due to cost of living or maybe disabilities than we may perhaps realise?

If you are talking about people you barely know, (assuming you are) how do you know what their circumstances are?

I notice the smell. Especially on my children when they come back from their dad’s house. I try really hard not to have the smell on my clothes but recently I’ve struggled myself. I don’t use overly scented conditioner or extra smelly ball things you can get now. I use the fairy washing capsules and conditioner. But when be hung in the house over the summer on a wet day outside and not used the radiators because the heating has been off and it’s too hot to actually turn them on I have found that’s when I get the smell. I’ve even tried a heated airer and can’t get it to work without lying clothes flat and constantly moving them onto the heat. One time when I was ironing I sprayed the with fabreze it was annoying me so much. It possibly makes a difference that my house is over 100 years old, doesn’t have damp but can feel damp when the heating isn’t on.

I have noticed - but I thought it was those overly scented conditioners (which advertise ‘the scent lasts for weeks!’ 🤢) and have ‘HARMFUL’ stamped all over them. They really should be banned from sale

Can anyone recommend a heated dryer?

Mine is a Meaco. It's fab.

I find sprinkling a bit of bicarbonate of soda into the detergent drawer along with the detergent makes laundry smell much nicer. I can't afford to run a tumble dryer but I make sure I hang everything up on a clothes horse or from coat hangers on my curtain rail and this avoids a musty smell. Oh and not letting washing fester overnight in the machine.

We have this one, although I bought it from AO not Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/electriQ-Portable-dehumidifier-Combats-Condensation/dp/B07KT8YHZB/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=37O5Y6S5FA5NI&keywords=electriq+cd12p&qid=1696614194&sprefix=CD12P%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.23648568-4ba5-49f2-9aa6-31ae75f1e9cd

I hear you it’s a horrendous smell. I used to dread going to my SIL as the bedding was rank as she would not use her tumble drier . No reason why financially as the smell was all year round. I truly believe she was nose blind as you would walk into the house and sore musty smell would invade your senses. Hubby would never let me say anything. But surely you want to know if there was a smell off you regularly ?

Yes, I have the Lakeland Drysoon with cover and highly recommend it.

Try a dehumidifier.... brilliant

It's hard in accommodation without outside space or a dryer. I run a hot iron over some things to help get them very dry before putting away - waistbands of jeans etc can retain damp.