Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: How to wash clothes
• Method 2 of 4: Drying Clothes
• Method 3 of 4: How to store clothes
• Method 4 of 4: How to freshen up clothes and prevent unpleasant odors

Do your clothes sometimes smell unpleasant even after you've washed them? Don't worry, it's easy to fix! There are ways to freshen up your clothes and make them smell good, even if you only have a few minutes at your disposal.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to wash clothes

1. 1 More often wash clothes. The longer you wear clothes, the stronger they smell. If you have worn an item several times, do not keep it with the rest of your clean clothes, otherwise they may also develop an unpleasant odor. Store dirty clothes separately from clean ones. Some garments can only be worn once before washing, while others can be worn for a long time before they develop a scent. Try to wash dirty and sweaty clothes right away.
   • Leggings, shirts, socks, swimwear, tights, blouses, T-shirts, and underwear should be washed every time you wear them.
   • Dresses, jeans, pants, pajamas, shorts and skirts can be washed after wearing them several times.
   • The bra can be washed after wearing it 2-3 times. Buy multiple bras so you don't have to wear the same bra twice in a row.
   • The suit can be worn 3-5 times, then it should be cleaned. In a clean environment such as an office, the suit can be worn longer. Conversely, the suit should be cleaned more often if you are in dirty or smoky areas.
2. 2 Use flavored laundry detergent or essential oils. Most laundry detergents have a fresh scent, but some have a stronger scent than others. Choose products that have a specific scent on the packaging and do not exceed the recommended dosage. Do not use more product than indicated on the package, otherwise it may remain on the clothes and cause an unpleasant odor. If you are trying not to use artificial fragrances, try adding 10-12 drops of essential oil to the washing machine in the last rinse.
   • Before purchasing a particular detergent, make sure you like its smell. Open the lid and smell.
   • Experiment with essential oils and find the scent that works for you. Feel free to mix several different essential oils to achieve the scent you want.
3. 3 Remove clothes from the washing machine immediately after washing. Try to keep your clothes from getting stuck in the washing machine. Take out the washed clothes immediately and hang them on the clothesline or load them into the tumble dryer. If wet clothes are left in the washing machine for a long time, mold can form on them and give them a musty and unpleasant odor. If you accidentally leave your clothes in the washing machine and have mold on them, you can easily get rid of the unpleasant smell with white vinegar.
   • Pour a glass (250 ml) of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and rewash your clothes.
   • This will eliminate the unpleasant odor, but if you want your clothes to smell good, you should wash them again with detergent.
4. 4 Deep clean your washing machine with vinegar every six months. Over time, mildew forms in washing machines and an unpleasant odor develops, which is transmitted to the clothes. Do not load anything into the washing machine. Pour 2-4 cups (0.5-1 liter) of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a full wash cycle at maximum intensity and temperature. Then add a glass (260 grams) of baking soda and start another cycle. Then wipe the drum and the outside of the machine with a microfiber cloth.
   • If you prefer, you can use bleach or a commercial washing machine cleaner instead of vinegar.
   • If you are using bleach, wash the white items the first time after cleaning the machine.
   • When you are not using the washing machine, leave the loading door ajar to allow any remaining moisture to evaporate from the drum, otherwise mold and odor-causing bacteria may develop there.

Method 2 of 4: Drying Clothes

1. 1 Make sure your clothes are completely dry before storing them in the closet. Do not put damp clothes in the wardrobe, as they can grow moldy and cause an unpleasant odor. If your clothes are not completely dry after the tumble dryer, dry them again for about 15 minutes. You can also hang your clothes up to air dry.
2. 2 Add strips or essential oils to the tumble dryer. Drying strips give clothes a pleasant smell, soften fabrics and act as an antistatic agent. When loading washed clothes, simply place a strip in the tumble dryer and start the normal drying cycle. If you are using a specific flavored laundry detergent, check to see if there are commercially available drying strips from the same manufacturer.
   • You can also apply a few drops of essential oil to a piece of fabric and place it in the tumble dryer to add a pleasant scent to your clothes.
   • Use a fresh strip of laundry to dry each time.
3. 3 Take proper care of your tumble dryer. Remember to clean the lint filter after each drying, otherwise odors may remain on the filter, which will then be transferred to the clothes. Take out the filter at least once a year and wash it with warm water and a mild detergent. Wipe the tumble dryer at least once a month with a microfiber cloth dampened with a 1: 1 solution of hot water and white vinegar.
   • You can also moisten a few towels with vinegar and dry as usual. Vinegar kills odor-causing bacteria.
4. 4 Hang your clothes up to dry. Some people prefer not to use the tumble dryer and hang their clothes on special racks or clotheslines. After drying in the open air, clothes acquire a pleasant smell of freshness and cleanliness. If you dry your clothes outdoors, be aware that some fabrics may fade in the sun. If you hang clothes indoors, it should be well ventilated - for example, you can dry clothes near open windows.
   • Hang white clothes in the sun. Sunlight will whiten the fabric, and fresh air will leave your clothes smelling clean.
   • Please note that when drying in the fresh air, the fabric may not be as soft as when dried.

Method 3 of 4: How to store clothes

1. 1 Place scent bags and drying strips in wardrobes and dressers. Freshen the air in cabinets and dressers with bags of your favorite dry herbs, flowers and spices. You can buy these bags at the store or make your own: put aromatic mixtures or dried herbs in gauze bags and tie them with ribbons. Arrange the bags in wardrobes and dressers.
   • You can also use drying strips to eliminate unpleasant odors and freshen up your clothes. Place them in wardrobes, dressers, and shoes.
2. 2 Use essential oils or perfume. Apply 2-5 drops of your favorite essential oil or perfume to a piece of cloth, paper towel, or cotton balls and place them in wardrobes and dressers. You can also put a few drops of essential oil on the inside of your cabinet. Wait for the oil to dry before placing your clothes in the closet. Try scented candles or soap as well.
   • Place an unlit candle or bar of scented soap on the shelf.
   • You can also freshen up the air in your wardrobe with bath bombs.
3. 3 Spray the inside of the cabinet with air freshener or disinfectant. Usually, these products only mask bad odors, not eliminate them. It is best to use odor-neutralizing products with a pleasant scent, such as Febreze. You can also make your own air freshener by filling a spray bottle with ½ cup (120 ml) white vinegar and ½ cup (120 ml) water, and add ten drops of your favorite essential oil.
   • Spray cabinet air freshener every few days.
   • Vinegar helps freshen the air, its smell evaporates after a few minutes.
4. 4 Use wood with a strong smell as a natural air freshener. Cedar and sandalwood work well for this. Place one or two pieces of wood in your wardrobe to scent your clothes. Cedarwood repels insects and absorbs moisture, which is one of the main causes of musty smells in clothes.
5. 5 Treat bad odors with baking soda. Place an open soda bag in the bottom of your wardrobe or in the corner of your dresser. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda for extra flavor. Make your own air freshener: Take a small tin or plastic can and fill it with baking soda. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil and stir the baking soda with a fork. Punch a few holes in the lid and close the jar.
   • You do not need to cover the jar with a lid, but this is not recommended if you have small children or overly curious pets.
   • Sprinkle some baking soda into your shoes to eliminate the unpleasant odor. Don't forget to shake out the baking soda the next day, though!

Method 4 of 4: How to freshen up clothes and prevent unpleasant odors

1. 1 Spin the clothes in the tumble dryer. If you don't have time and want to quickly make your clothes smell good, load them with a couple of scented strips to dry your clothes for 15 minutes into the tumble dryer. Although this will not clean your clothes, they will smooth out and smell good.
2. 2 Spray your clothing with the white vinegar solution. Take a spray bottle and mix equal proportions of white vinegar and water. Turn clothes inside out and spray with this solution. Then hang the clothes up and wait a few minutes for them to dry. The vinegar smell will evaporate in a few minutes and will not be felt after the fabric is dry.
   • Test a small area before spraying the vinegar solution all over your clothes. If the vinegar does not change the color and appearance of the fabric, you can apply it over the entire surface.
3. 3 Use perfume or cologne. It is best to apply perfume to the body and then get dressed. You can also spray perfume directly on your garment if it is made from natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Do not use perfume on synthetic fabrics such as polyester. Please note that some perfumes can discolor light fabrics and damage silk.
4. 4 Keep your home clean. The fabric absorbs various odors, so if you have an unpleasant smell in your home, it will spread to your clothes. Wash the floor, dust and vacuum regularly, especially in those rooms where you keep your clothes. Use air fresheners and do not smoke indoors.
5. 5 Ventilate used clothing. When you return from school or work, change and hang your clothes by an open window. This way you can reduce odors and freshen up your clothes. This is especially useful if you are wearing uniforms and do not want to wash them every day.
6. 6 Keep dirty and clean clothes separate. Never put dirty clothes near or on top of clean clothes, as the smell can transfer to clean clothes. Keep dirty clothes in a lidded basket in a separate room. Do not put wet clothes in the basket. Dry damp items before placing them in the dirty clothes basket. Dampness encourages the growth of mold and bacteria that cause unpleasant odors.