Mumsnet users' tips for making clothes smell great

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It can be difficult to ensure that clothes always smell good - especially if you have messy toddlers or teenagers that leave P.E kit in bags for weeks. Fairy Non Bio would like you to share your tips for making sure your clothes smell great.

Here’s what Fairy Non Bio has to say: “At Fairy Non Bio, we know that even if you have very sensitive skin, you still want that freshly washed smell on your clothes and fabrics. We have perfected our formula on our detergents and fabric conditioner so that you don’t have to compromise on either. We want to know your tips for great smelling clothes!”

Do you have a way of storing your clothes that means they don’t pick up nasty odours between wash and wear? Maybe your family has a laundry routine that prevents clothes from ever reaching a smelly stage? Perhaps you have a favourite product that’s become your family’s signature clothing scent?

Whatever tips for making sure clothes smell great, share them on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Couple of drops of essential oil in the softener drawer

When ever possible , dry clothes out doors on a washing line.

Another one for line-drying, not only does it smell fresher but it's better for your clothes in the long run too!

Make sure there's no damp/condensation in and around your wardrobes and drawers, as this can lead to mustiness...

Oh and don't close the washing machine door between loads as this can lead to mold (as I learnt after I moved into our current rented house and had to scrub the black grossness off the rubbers before using it, sigh)

I agree with the majority. Line dry whenever possible, leave the washing machine door open, and do a 90 degree maintenance wash at regular intervals.

Always use fabric conditioner, always dry outdoors when possible, and run a cleaning product through the washing machine once a month.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say I don't much like the smell of line dried washing. It always has a weird kind of musty smell when I bring it in!
However I am totally obsessed with fabric conditioner. It's a constant mission in my life to find the nicest smelling one. I'm currently loving Comfort Creations, the strawberry scented one, but I chop and change frequently so I don't get too used to one smell!

I put the washing to dry outside.Nothing smells better then clean washing thats dried outside.

I add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil when washing bedding.
However, you can't beat the smell of line-dried washing.

Drying outside makes them much fresher.

Sounds obvious but after it's rained I always wipe down my washing line, takes seconds and ensures that clean clothes stay clean.

When I had both of my dc ( now aged 15 and 7 ) I started using Fairy powder and softener on their clothes only as would wash all their clothes separately.

Ds's teachers would always comment that his uniform smelt lovely
I did the same with dd but instead of stopping like I did with ds, I've continued to use Fairy for all of us. I recently bought the tub of stain remover powder and it's brilliant.

My dd attracts filth and I've often wondered if Fairy would be "strong" enough to get rid of stains but it does. I love the unique smell.

A laundry tip I use is to put all socks in a mesh bag as it's so annoying having to separate them all if they've been in the dryer and I have to play find the matching pair.

Also I wipe my washing machine down daily frequently and use a commercial cleaner once a month as it is worked so hard.

I admit that I do love doing laundry!

Always dry my clothes outside, even in winter. Do love lavender sachets as well.

I tend to wash every day and use lavender bags in drawers and on coat hangers.

To be honest and I'm not sucking up, I love fairy non-bio, it's my favourite of all the laundry detergents, i love the way the clothes smell after the wash!
To keep them smelling amazing though, don't leave them in the washing machine to get musty
Line dry them, that just adds to the loveliness
Clean your washing machine regularly
I suffer from dermatitis and fairy non-bio is the only detergent that doesn't irritate my skin- thank you!

Line drying!
A cap full of zoflora in with anything really smelly.

I use fabric softener and water softener in each wash and try to dry clothes outside when there are good drying conditions. I also regularly do a high temperature wash to clean the machine

Don't cram too much into your wardrobe, let the air circulate!

I like to get my washing on the line if I can as it always smells so much fresher and for longer

few drops of lavender oil

Line drying is the way to go

Drying outside.
Ironing and putting away straight away as one of our cats likes to tinkle on soft things.
We all have sensitive skin, so can't use highly perfumed products.

Don't overfill the machine, dry clothes outside and always use fabric conditioner (but not on towels).

Will be looking at lavender sachets inside wardrobes and underwear drawers as a result of this thread!

I have actually carried on a bit of a tradition from my Nan from my Mum and now me. I have these wooden balls in all of our drawers which are scented. They smell beautiful but they have more of a natural softer smell - not to overpowering!!

I have a program on my machine that breaks down smells it seems to work. I never leave washing in the machine and i try to line dry when ever i can if not i dry it on a airer with lots of gaps for ventilation . I store my clothes with scented little bags brought in Home Bargain for pennies they soso sell lovely scented clothes hangers and scented drawer liners. i also place old perfume bottles in my drawers and shelves in my wardrobes. I dont like bar soap but if I am give any as a gift I popped them into drawers. keeping the machine clean helps too

i make my own lavender packs to put in with clothes in the drawers. Keeps them smelling lovely! x

dry outdoors if at all possible. Don't overfill the washing machine so that items can get properly washed and rinsed too.