Eliminating washer odours
When you wash your clothes you expect them to come out of your machine looking clean – and smelling fresh. But we know that’s not always the case! We’ve tracked down the worst culprits for bad laundry odours and found the best way to prevent them.
In this page:
Your washing machine
Keep your machine smelling sweet
Once a month, set an empty wash for 60°C or more and use a detergent that contains oxygen bleach, such as Ariel with Actilift™ Biological Powder. Your machine will smell all clean and fresh again.
Take laundry out of the washer or drier promptly
Take your clothes out as soon as the wash cycle’s ended. If you don’t, they’ll quickly develop a musty smell. Many machines come with a timer or delay switch, so you can time it to start automatically and end when you’re due home.
Get freshness that lasts. And lasts. And lasts
For nice scents and a day-long freshness, use Ariel with Actilift™ with Febreze effect in your machine. It sorts out lingering odours in your laundry as well as difficult stains – and the gorgeous, subtle fragrance will last for up to eight hours.
Your laundry
Wash your laundry frequently
The sooner you wash clothes, the sooner smells disappear. If you only have one thing that needs cleaning, consider giving it a quick wash by hand using Ariel Excel Gel.
Don’t let sweaty clothes hang around
After a work-out or a country walk, don’t be tempted to keep your sweaty clothes in a plastic bag. When you get home, throw them in the laundry basket and wash as soon as you can.
Tame smelly socks
Socks are a breeding ground for bad odours. To make them fresh and fragrant again, wash as usual then rinse in a solution of one cup of white vinegar to one of gallon water and let them sit for 30 minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture and air-dry.
Freshen up your bath towels
Towels start off all nice and fluffy, but they can become harsh and smelly. Wash them separately using the temperature that’s safe for the fabric (always check the label) and add the right amount of Ariel with Febreze for a fresh scent. Dry as soon as possible and air well.
Perspiration smells and stains
Even with a good deodorant, some smells can work their way into your clothes. Pre-treat the area with Ariel Excel Gel then soak in warm water containing Ariel. Wash as instructed on the fabric care label.
You can find further tips and advice on caring for your machine here.
Similar tips from our consumers