Lavender, lemon, orange, lemongrass, and eucalyptus are excellent options for a homemade laundry scent. Combine a quart of white vinegar with 30 – 40 drops of the essential oil you've selected. This mixture will be your natural laundry freshener.
The solution is simple. Buy some essential oil that you like - my faves are lavender and citrus. Put about 15-20 drops of this oil (or combination of oils) on a wash cloth. After your clothes are dry, throw the now scented wash cloth into your dryer and tumble on NO HEAT for 10-15 minutes.
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and brightener, and it's probably already in your pantry. To make your laundry detergent work harder, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle of your washing machine.
Using Fabric Softener:
Fabric softeners are specially designed to add a soft, pleasant scent to your clothes while reducing static and making them feel cozy. Simply add fabric softener to your laundry during the rinse cycle and let it work its magic.
By adding vinegar to your laundry, you can remove tough stains, eliminate odors, and even soften your clothes. It's a safe and effective way to boost the cleaning power of your detergent while also being eco-friendly. So go ahead and add some vinegar to your next load of laundry for cleaner, fresher-smelling clothes.
Baking soda and vinegar are the most common natural ingredients used in laundry for their cleaning and deodorizing properties. Baking soda is good at lifting stains and eliminating odors, while vinegar acts as a natural softener of fabric and makes clothes brighter.
Take an empty bottle or container and clean it out thoroughly. Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the bottle. Put 20-30 drops of an essential oil of your choice. Lavender, lemon, bergamot, and peppermint are great options.
Over time, detergents and fabric softeners can accumulate inside the washing machine, especially if too much is used or if it's not suitable for your specific machine. This buildup can trap odors and foster bacteria and mold growth, which in turn can leave clothes smelling less than fresh.
In order to add essential oils to laundry, you just need to put a few drops of the essential oil in the washer load. If you do not want to use essential oils, you can use pure extracts instead. When using pure extracts, put four times the amount that you would put if you were using essential oil.
The only way to completely eliminate laundry room odors is to eliminate excess moisture. If your laundry hook-up is in a bathroom, you can use the bathroom fan, but if your laundry room is in a mudroom or basement without a fan, you need a dehumidifier — especially if you live in a region with high humidity.
In a glass jar, combine equal parts epsom salt and baking soda.
Add about 25 drops of your favorite essential oil to 2 tablespoons of baking soda and stir to combine. Lemon and lavender are great choices, but eucalyptus is my favorite because of the refreshing scent. Pour the baking soda and essential oil mix into the water and stir. Then funnel the water into your spray bottle.
Lavender, lemon, orange, lemongrass, and eucalyptus are excellent options for a homemade laundry scent. Combine a quart of white vinegar with 30 – 40 drops of the essential oil you've selected. This mixture will be your natural laundry freshener.
Before tossing workout clothing into the washing machine, fill up the sink or a similar-sized container with cold water. Next, add a cup of white vinegar and a cup of bicarbonate of soda. Submerge the sweaty workout clothes and soak for at least 30 minutes before putting them through a wash cycle.
"Add a cup of white vinegar or baking soda to your laundry cycle to help neutralise stubborn odours and freshen up your clothes. For extra freshness, consider adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or eucalyptus, to your wash to leave your clothes smelling heavenly."
Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.
White vinegar, also known as distilled vinegar or spirit vinegar, is made by fermenting grain alcohol (ethanol) which then turns into acetic acid. Water is then added to the vinegar, so white vinegar is made of five to ten percent acetic acid and ninety to ninety-five percent water.
Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle, and lightly spritz the affected areas of your clothing. Allow it to air dry, and the vinegar smell will dissipate, taking the unwanted odors with it. This method works well for removing musty smells and is safe for most fabrics.
"Using too much vinegar over time takes a toll on your delicate fabrics," says LaLonde.
Top-loader washer: If you have a top-loader washing machine, Matthew recommends waiting until your clothes cycle reaches the 'rinse' step of the cycle. Open your machine and add half a cup of vinegar straight into the dispenser before allowing the machine to run through the full wash cycle.