How to stop clothes smelling after washing

Clothes can continue to smell after a wash for many reasons. Smells lingering on clothes can often be down to your washing machine, detergent or drying process.

Some of the most common reasons for your clothes smelling after washing are:

1. Unclean washing machine – if you have an older washing machine or one that’s not been serviced in a while, dirt can build up in your drum. This causes the smell to build up on your clothing, even after washing
   
   

2. You have used too much or too little laundry detergent – laundry detergent is good for getting dirt and stains out of clothes, but using too much can cause detergent residue to build up. This will cause your clothes to become scratchy, uncomfortable, and sometimes smelly
   
   

3. Overloading your washing machine – don’t pack your washing machine like you pack your suitcase! It’s important to put the right amount of clothes in your machine, or else your clothes won’t wash properly. This could be why your clothes are not smelling fresh after washing
   
   

4. Taking too long to dry your clothes – try drying your clothes outside to ensure they dry quickly. Leaving your clothes damp for longer can make the moisture get trapped, causing your clothes to smell musty after washing
   
   

5. Your clothes have been put away damp – if you put your clothes away while they are still damp, you could be creating the perfect environment for bacteria to stick to your clothes and cause smells
   
   

6. Clothes stored for too long and too tightly can feel impact the smell as well - storing your clothes away for too long can be a recipe for bad smells to form after the wash

If you want to keep your clothes from smelling bad after washing them, Lenor recommends the following:

1. Wash your clothes with the best scent – using high quality fabric conditioners and scent boosters like Lenor Outdoorable and Lenor Unstoppables are a great way to make laundry smell good. Lenor Outdoorable will help protect your clothes from musty odours, unleash your sunshine freshness of drying outdoors, and keep them fresh as you dry them outside. Lenor Unstoppables In-Wash Scent Boosters will give your clothes freshness that lasts* (*up to 12 weeks in storage)

2. Measure your detergent – ensure you use the right amount of high-quality detergent to ensure your clothes smell good. Measuring your detergent will ensure you don’t use too much and ruin your clothes in the long term

3. Dry your clothes well - a little sun and fresh air for a few hours outside will breathe new life into your fabrics. If you cannot dry your clothes outside and have to dry indoors, don't worry about musty smells in clothes, try Lenor Outdoorable! It will give your clothes the freshness as if dried outside

4. Clean your washing machine – try cleaning your washing machine, as this can be the reason why clothes are not smelling fresh after washing, as mildew can build up in our washing machines

Following these tips will restore a fresh scent to your clothes after each wash. Utilising Lenor Outdoorable fabric conditioner and Lenor Unstoppables In-Wash Scent Boosters will enhance freshness and provide a refreshing outdoor air fragrance reminiscent of line-dried laundry.

Remember that fabric softener primarily enhances freshness after the wash and aids in protecting against odours, while it is the detergent's job to remove them.

1. Why do my clothes always smell musty and not fresh?

There can be many reasons why your laundry isn’t smelling fresh. Musty odours can result from various factors, including insufficient drying, overloading the washing machine, or using too little detergent. Ensuring proper washing and drying techniques and regular machine maintenance can help achieve a fresh scent.

2. How can I make my clothes smell fresh all the time?

To maintain consistently fresh-smelling clothes, consider using a quality detergent, adding fabric conditioner, and incorporating scent boosters like Lenor Unstoppables. Ensure clothes are thoroughly dried, and your washing machine is clean.

3. How do you get smell out of clothes after washing?

If your clothes still smell after washing, people usually tend to consider re-washing. However, by using the right amount of quality detergent and fabric conditioner, and even adding scent boosters to your laundry, your clothes should come out smelling fresh. It’s also important to make sure your washing machine is maintained, and your clothes are thoroughly dried and stored in a well-ventilated area.