Use Ecover but clothes still smell sweaty...is Ecover not really any good?

[OlderNotWiser]

I just wondered since Im finding that t shirt armpits just dont seem to get clean enough and can still smell of old deodrant/armpit smell after a wash, when they are put back on. My washing machine is newish so shouldn't be that, so just wondered if the detergent isnt up to the job. I live in a very hard water area, dont know if that makes a difference. Any tips on removing smells from clothes...? TIA for any ideas.

Are you using the bio or non-bio.

the bio is fab, the non bio is rubbish, ime.

Also, use the fabric softener too.

Of course Ecover is rubbish.

I like Clearspring better.

I found it to be rubbish and got fed up with feeling like my clothes and towels were never very fresh - esp at this time of year when things aren't dried outside. So I went back to using a "normal " one. Heartened to hear about the bio one so will give that a go as would really prefer to be using eco friendly

i never used it.

i use lidl bio liquid and non-bio powder for the girls' stuff as DD1 has sensitive skin - and for DS's stuff as well.

but i also don't wash at 30 degrees, either.

Using the non-bio...will check out the bio then, thanks. Haven't heardo f clearspring - will look that up too, ta.

Wash hotter.

Both detergent (quantity and quality) and heat of water, as well as the quality of your machine, will make a difference to how clean your clothes are after washing.

Oh, yes, if I use Ecover, I always wash at 40, sometimes 60 for towels. If I use conventional stuff I do 30.

I have just gone over to Tesco's eco range"Tesco Naturally" bio tablets and these are fine. I had the same problem as you with smelly armpits, etc.

Hmm, already wash at 40 degrees and sometimes more if its just whites so probably not that then. Machine is a good-ish new one so have ruled that out too. Perhaps me and DH are just more sweaty than average

Not sweaty, just harder working.

No - it's the Ecover, really. It's not very good. The Tesco Naturally leaves a nice fresh smell to the clothes, but not overpowering like conventional washing powders.

I use Ecover for everything, including the nappies. They smell lovely when they come out of the wash. I do everything at 40 and an occassional wash at 60 (meant to be good for the machine?). Occassionally I add napisan to the nappies and Vanish to the clothes, depending on how I feel at the time. I tried the Tesco's one and didn't like it, it didn't get stuff clean.

I find this too. Though its not sweaty armpits for us. Its the milky sick smell of all the bibs, muslins, etc. It just doesn't go away. We use non-bio due to sensitive skin too. I wonder if we could change to bio?

So, TSLB, has the smelly problem resolved since you swapped...?

I use white vinegar for sweaty armpits on the clothing, not the actual armpits! Take care if the clothes are delicate though.

Just dab some on neat, then wash fairly straightaway.

X posts TSLB!

nicky...I like your thinking!

60°, Ariel and Vanish would work better for whites.

Yes, deffo. No more smelly problem, and it gets rid of other stains that would have normally taken two washes to get out - essential since DS started school in September.

i agree, a hotter wash, folks.

Bizarrely Anna whites are not my problem...ecover at 40 degrees copes fine! But throw an armpit into the equation and it all goes horribly wrong...

It has become fashionable (thank you Procter & Gamble) to wash at low temperatures.

Bacteria and bed mites are not killed by low temperatures - you need 60° minimum for smelly clothes and bedding/towels in order to kill the germs (which are causing the smells).

One more question since it has come up...I thought you were meant to wash coloured clothes at lower temps..? I would blanche at washing a red t shirt (for instance)much above 40 degrees. I have this vision of it coming out bled of its colour.

X posts Anna!