No matter how much clothes are cleaned during the monsoon, an unpleasant smell remains. This smell is caused by damp weather or not drying them on time. To remove the smell, applying perfume or scent on them can create a more pungent smell. Moreover, while this can be done for clothes, there is no such option for bed sheets.
What can be done? There are some ingredients that can be poured into the washing machine while washing clothes (Simple Laundry Tricks), which will create a fragrance in the clothes and sheets. Even after the clothes are dried, that pleasant smell and freshness will remain intact.
- Although baking soda
has no odor of its own, it helps remove sweat, dampness, and other odors from clothes. It can even help eliminate odors caused by fungi or bacteria. However, baking soda can only be used when mixed with laundry detergent. - White
vinegar is a great combination to remove odors and prevent the growth of fungus and bacteria. White vinegar removes the harshness of clothes and makes them softer. To use, pour half a cup of white vinegar into the ‘rinse’ section of the washing machine while washing clothes. However, do not add baking soda and vinegar at the same time—use vinegar in the rinse cycle when washing baking soda. - Essential oils like
lavender, lemon, jasmine, or sandalwood can be used. However, it is better not to put them in the washing machine, as this can stain the clothes. When the wet clothes are wrung out and placed in a bucket or wide basket before washing, pour 2-3 drops of essential oil on another small handkerchief-like cloth and tuck it into the gap between the wet clothes. A cotton ball can also be used instead of a handkerchief. This removes both odor and bacteria.
What can you do to keep clothes smelling good for a long time?
-
- Fold the clothes only when they are completely dry.
- It is best to dry in direct sunlight.
- Do not use excess detergent.
- Do not leave wet clothes in the machine.
- You can keep neem leaves in your wardrobe.