How do I get my washing to smell amazing?

[NeedingASafeSpace]

When you walk past people and think ooo their clothes smell lovely… I want that! How do I do this please? I’m wanting fresh lovely smelling clothes. They’re clean and fresh now but I feel they don’t have a lasting softener smell to them.

I like Bold lavender and camomile powder with purple “outdoorable”. I’ve stuck with this combination for a few years now.

Always wash at a minimum of 40 degrees, unless the fabric won't take it (wool, very delicate items). Wash cotton at 60 degrees. This kills bacteria.

Clean the machine, leave door open to air when not in use.

Never put clothes away unless 100% dry. If your fingertips are not sensitive enough to tell, put the garment against your dry lips, as the nerve endings in your lips are very sensitive.

When drying indoors, consider a de-humidifier. Dry clothes in front of a fan heater, or on a radiator. Or iron dry, with no steam.
Ideally put laundry in an "airing cupboard" for a few days after drying, if you have one - a cupboard with slatted shelves built around a hot water tank, that has residual warm air. I know modern houses don't have these, hence the need for de-humidifiers or fan heaters.

Please don't soak your clothes in artificial chemicals.

Surely it’s better to keep yourself and your clothes clean so you don't actually smell bad?
The idea of strongly smelling fabric conditioners making your clothes smell "just washed fresh", or whatever, makes me think "Why don't you 'just wash' them then?".
If I want to smell of something, I use perfume and then I certainly don't want Lotus Flower and Kiwi Fruit (probably not an actual thing) Lenor clashing with it.

Its bad here in the North West! I'm sure i've lost half a stone running in and out between meetings to move the washing around.

Yes really. I find it so awful, I was trying to quell the queasiness and throw my shopping through quickly so I could move away from it.

People think it smells nice but it doesn’t. Wash your clothes properly and wear Chanel if you want to smell nice.

You may be nose -blind and unable to smell the familiar smell. Others may be thinking how fresh you smell as you waft past.

When I was pregnant I had a very strong reaction to all scents. Couldn't wear perfume and even deodorant made me gag. Some of the scents of fabric conditioner are very strong indeed.

If course some sort of soap existed to clean clothes for centuries.

But plastic smelly pellets? Nah, they're new and a waste!

You’ve committed a MN cardinal sin here by daring to want your laundry to smell nice. Queue the pearl clutching, fainting and tutting, at the violation of perfumed laundry. Laundry should smell of BO and regret.

ps unstoppables and lenor are my go to.

Too right. The 'dream team' ads should be banned. Plastic upon plastic and totally unnecessary.

I switch between Ariel and blue or yellow comfort conditioner, Tropical Lily Surf (without FC) and Lavender and Camomile Bold (without FC).

The key is also drying quickly as PP said; on the line in the summer, on heated airer in the winter.

I use white vinegar in every wash - it keeps the machine and clothes, cloths, towels etc all smelling fresh. I use laundry powder as that keeps the machine clean as well as the clothes. I do treat my bedding to Tallow &Ash although the company are a little big for their boots

I’d never Chanel if I wanted to smell nice. It almost as if people have differing preferences and tastes or something 🤷‍♀️

Add vinegar to your wash if you feel like your clothing isn’t fresh.

Yes I put a good squirt of white vinegar in every wash. It makes a big difference. It also cleans the washing machine

Oh dont use sickly fabric conditoner or those awful scent boost bead things...i mix up some essential oils in a glass of warm water and add to the conditioner draw..smells lovely and fresh and dont gunk up the machine with slimy liquids.

Also here for Tallow and Ash

Had a similar experience here. They give me such a headache. ILs have one do I refuse to stay over.

I use fairy washing tabs and fairy fabric softener - divine combo.

Absolutely! And yet I don't know anyone IRL that is fainting, vomiting or otherwise affected by a whiff of washing powder.

They put too much liquid in

I use an EcoEgg for laundry. Bedding and towels are dried in the tumble drier at this time of year with EcoEgg drier eggs and everything else is dried inside on a clothes horse and a heated clothes horse with a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air. Our washing doesn't smell of damp and it doesn't overpower with artificial chemicals.

I use Daz liquid and comfort the yellow one. I had someone stop me on the train today to ask what I use.

OK, if it hasn't happened to you then it isn't real ?

I have got off trams and buses due to the overpowering smell of other people making me feel sick. Or maybe I don't exist in your world ?

Clearly not...or you would have fainted from the merest whiff!