Clothes should smell fresh so we can feel comfortable in them. Sometimes, however, a normal wash is not enough to remove unpleasant odours from clothing - when the bad-smelling molecules have settled in the fabric. We will introduce you to the most effective methods to remove the musty smells of cupboards and sweat from hard-to-wash textiles and other garments.
You can find numerous products available in supermarkets to combat against odours in textiles. But there are also some household remedies made from natural ingredients that are just as effective at neutralising odours in your clothing without damaging the fabric. They are also a good alternative for people with sensitive or allergy-prone skin who often cannot tolerate chemical products.
1. Fresh or hot air
Fresh air is always good for removing odours from clothing. The washing line usually works wonders. Hot air has a similar effect: simply blow out the smell with a hair dryer or place the garment on a warm heater.
2. Steam
Steam has a similar effect to hot or fresh air. To do this, hang the item of clothing in the bathroom while you have a hot shower (which generates steam). This method works similarly to a steam iron or garment steamer. Therefore, after steaming, you can also remove any wrinkles by patting the garment with your hands.
3. Cold
You can also remove bad smells from clothing effectively by using cold temperatures. To do this, put the garment in a sealable freezer bag and put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then rinse the garment with water and dry it in the fresh air.
4. White vinegar
Vinegar is an all-purpose product in the household and can be used in many ways. You can also remove odours from clothing with the household remedy. Simply add half a cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine. This eliminates odours and gives your laundry a pleasant texture. If the odours are very strong, you can also soak the affected garments in vinegar water for about twenty minutes.
5. Sodium bicarbonate
Like vinegar, baking soda is a household miracle cure. It binds and neutralises odours as well as removing stains from laundry. Simply add three to four sodium tablets or one to two teaspoons of sodium powder to the machine while washing, and the odours will disappear.
But all these household remedies can’t do anything if the actual cause of the odours is the washing machine itself. Calcification, bacteria and dirt inside the machine can cause the laundry to smell. Dylon has a washing machine cleaner in our range that can help if this is the case.
It is therefore important to clean your washing machine regularly. It is recommended to do a thorough cleaning at least twice a year. The reason for the odours is the energy-saving programmes that are common today, which wash almost exclusively at low temperatures. Although this saves electricity, it means that fats and dirt are deposited in the washing machine because they are no longer properly dissolved and removed.
In addition to products you can find in supermarkets, natural household remedies can also be used for washing machine cleaning. These include vinegar, citric acid and juice as well as sodium bicarbonate. You should also regularly put on a cycle at 60 degrees or even 90 degrees. It is only at these high temperatures that bacteria are killed, so that odours cannot arise in the first place.
To remove unpleasant odours from clothing, you should also be using the right detergent. You can use Dylon Sport Detergent which combats malodour in sports and functional clothing. The Advanced formula cleans clothes, neutralises odours and maintains the membrane function.
Washing time is also a crucial factor in ensuring that odours do not develop in clothing in the first place. You should therefore avoid short washing programmes if possible. The washing time should be long enough to remove calcification, bacteria and dirt in the washing machine.
Antique pieces of furniture are pretty to look at, but often have the disadvantage of possibly smelling unpleasant. This will transfer to freshly washed clothes. Old wood absorbs moisture, which can then cause a musty smell. However, there are a few methods to make it disappear.
You can also use vinegar here. The household remedy removes odours and disinfects when you wipe it out. Special liquid soaps for wooden furniture have a similar effect. However, several applications are necessary to achieve real results. Restorers remove odours from antique furniture using a combination of straw and clay. The latter binds the odours.
You can also achieve a fragrant effect with vanilla scent, coffee or soap scents. Simply place it in the piece of furniture and let it work. Lavender is also a tried and tested remedy against odours - either in the form of a sachet or as an essential oil.