5 Ways to Naturally Freshen and Soften Laundry
The washer is supposed to clean and freshen your clothes, not leave them smelling mouldy and mildewy! If you aren’t happy with the way your clothes smell after coming out of the dryer, you may be doing something wrong in your washing process.
Fortunately, we put this list together to help you kick those habits and start using other methods and products that will freshen and soften your clothes so they’re as good as new!
Read on to discover the top tips when it comes to soft, fresh-smelling laundry.
Air Out the Washer
Since mould tends to thrive in dark, damp environments, you should take extra caution so your washer doesn’t start to develop mould. Between washes, try to keep the washer door open so it can air out fully without retaining moisture.
You may think you’ll be able to see and stop mould if it starts forming, but it grows in hidden cracks and crevices that are tough to reach. Whether it’s top or front-loading, keep the door open and you’ll thank yourself later for taking the extra precaution!
Avoid Overloading
Overloading is a common mistake that can keep clothes from getting washed properly, leaving them smelling mildewy. Just because it can fit, doesn’t mean you should fit it in! Leave some room in your washer before a load so that your clothes have room to move around and get cleaned thoroughly.
Use Vinegar
Using vinegar in your laundry is a great way to rid it of that mildewy smell. Simply adding ¼ cup of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser can do a great job of removing odours and softening clothes.
While it’s not recommended, sometimes we forget about our clothes in the washer and let them damply sit for a few hours. Vinegar can be a lifesaver in this situation—simply add a little vinegar and run a rinse cycle to freshen them up! Not to mention, it can even brighten white clothes so they look brand new again.
Use Naturally Scented Detergent
Most scented laundry detergents are full of toxic ingredients and other additives that can build up in your clothing. Fortunately, there are a few great brands out there that offer naturally scented detergents and pods. Opt for detergent packs that are naturally scented with mild essential oils and botanical extracts. Unlike regular liquid detergent, these types of packs are also already measured so you won’t use too much or too little product.
Try Dryer Balls
While dryer sheets are most commonly used in the drying process for softer clothing, they typically contain artificial fragrances that can cause respiratory, dermatological, and neurological irritation. Also, the buildup of dryer sheet residue can make cloth fibres less breathable. This is especially noticeable in towels, which can become less absorbent after several dries using dryer sheets. Luckily, there’s a healthier alternative—dryer balls!
Dryer balls are easy, safe, and residue-free. Not only are they safer to use, but they also move around throughout the clothing to speed up drying time while softening clothes. We recommend Cosy House Collection’s All Natural Wool Dryer Balls for the best results. Sourced from humanely sheared New Zealand sheep, these unscented wool dryer balls are hand-felted and biodegradable. They are dye-free, chemical-free, and unscented - reducing wrinkling, static, tangling, and drying time by 30%. They last for up to 3 years (or 1,000 loads) and are a little bigger than a tennis ball in size (7.5 cm). Click here to order a pack of 3, 6, or 12!
As you can see, keeping your clothes smelling fresh is quite simple once you kick your old habits. While you’re waiting for your Cosy House goodies to arrive, you can practice leaving your washer door open and running smaller loads in the meantime. Trust us—it will make a world of difference.
We've gone ahead & enclosed a 10% off coupon below for you to use if you'd like to take the plunge and try out our sheets for yourself! To shop our collection & get 10% OFF Use the code 'BLOG10' at checkout.
