Laundry.. just want to smell nice and fresh

[catindahat]

Hi there,
I've noticed that my laundry doesn't smell as fresh as it should, and my children have mentioned that their friends' clothes always smell amazing. I don't feel comfortable asking their parents what laundry brand they use, so I thought I'd ask here instead. Can anyone recommend a laundry brand that leaves clothes smelling great? Does fabric softener play an important role in achieving this? Thanks in advance for your help!

I agree. Too many people seem to equate 'smelling artifically like a bouquet of flowers' with 'smelling nice'. Washed with any old powder and line dried in the sun for the win!

I use Daz powder and get washing on the line outside as much as I can. It smells lovely, fresh and clean, but not that overwhelming artificial fabric conditioner/scent booster smell, which I don't like.

But the artificial smell is what the kids mean...

Maybe OP telling her kids how bad that stuff is for clothes and the environment might make them think twice about 'smeling nice'?

Probably not, but might be worth a shot.

Daz pods and blue Lenor. My winning combo 😂

Yes, perhaps the OP should find the nearest stream and wash her clothes there with lye instead - and ditch her car, turn off the central heating, stop eating meat, grow her own food, and shun all chemicals while she’s at it cos, y’know, the environment.

Is your fabric conditioner slot in the drawer clean? This can change the smell of your laundry. They sometimes get clogged up and can start to go mouldy

😂 it's a Mumsnet thing. Once you've finished that week long chicken and made your husband hoover when he gets in from a ten hour shift, you can do your annual bedding wash in cold water with an eco ball that will make it smell exactly the same as it went in. Then if you're feeling really edgy you can have your fortnightly shower.

In cold water, natch - and with a good scrub using a chewed stick rather than soap.

Do an empty hot cycle with a bit of bleach just to get the machine freshened up.
You can also use vinegar alone or with a bit of sodium bicarbonate.

I think Ariel powder is the best at making clothes smell nice. Waitrose essential non bio powder too. I also rate Lidl’s own brand of non bio detergent. Nice fresh smells.
I use the tiniest amount of comfort pure fabric softener.

I use all the stuff suggested, scent boosters, sheets in dryer...never a bit of scent left. I love the smell of other people's laundry just can never replicate. Even Lenore blue fails me!