There is nothing quite like the smell of fresh laundry, especially when the smell lingers for several days on your clothes or soft furnishings.
Unfortunately, in many cases, this smell is artificially generated. The smell may last but that also means the chemicals in the detergent are still present. These are chemicals that can harm your body. In fact, you may be surprised at how many potentially harmful chemicals are in your household detergents.
It’s not just you that these harsh chemicals can affect; the environment and the wildlife can also be affected.
However, there are 3 simple ways in which you can freshen your laundry without using toxic chemicals.
1. Use A Specialized Detergent
Companies are becoming more aware of the effects of chemicals on humans and the environment. That makes it possible to purchase specially formulated laundry detergent which will help your clothes smell fresh whether you’ve been using them for sport, swimming, or simply everyday wear.
Look for detergents made with all natural ingredients. You should be able to find the full list of ingredients for your detergent, giving you confidence that you’re doing your bit for the environment and your family’s health.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is not going to make your clothes smell of flowers but it will help to remove odors and soften your clothes. It can also help to reduce the pH level of your water and can even prevent the buildup of limescale (if you have hard water).
All you need to do is add ½ cup of baking soda to the detergent slot in your machine and let the machine do its job.
If you do decide to use baking soda, it is a good idea to give your machine a rinse regularly. This will ensure all the powder has gone. A buildup of residue can affect the smooth operation of your machine.
You can also use baking soda if washing by hand. However, you need to add it to the basin of water and let it dissolve before you add your clothes.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is a great accompaniment to your choice of detergent. You can add ¼ cup of vinegar (here is a great one!) to the fabric conditioner slot on your machine and let it wash like normal.
However, it is important to add this to the rinse cycle of your machine; if it is part of the clothes washing cycle then your clothes are likely to end up smelling of vinegar. But, add it to the rinse cycle and it will simply soften your clothes; helping them to smell fresh.
Don’t forget, that whatever you choose to wash your clothes with it is always a good idea to air dry them. This will help them to stay fresh and will reduce your need to iron them.
Putting them in the dryer may be faster but it will remove the freshness that you’re trying so hard to keep.
Using a natural detergent and the air drying method is definitely the easiest and best method to follow.