Everyone knows it, but hardly anyone talks about it – and many feel completely helpless when faced with the problem: You open the washing machine and your laundry stinks. So what should you do? At the latest, when you take several loads of stinky laundry out of the freshly run washing machine in a row, you should take action against it!
Why does my washing machine stink?
The reason for a stinky washing machine – and the consequent bad-smelling laundry – is very simple: The problem is caused by nasty bacteria and germs that accumulate in the washing machine over time, spreading a moldy smell. But you can do something about it: with small changes, like using the right detergent or proper care, your laundry will soon smell wonderfully fresh again!
Possible causes for stinky laundry:
- Lack of hygiene in the machine
- Washing machine is not ventilated
- Deposits inside the machine
- Wrong detergent – try the bluu-Laundry Detergent Sheets
- Laundry stays in the drum too long
These Tips for eliminating smelly laundry will help you finally get this unpleasant problem under control!
1. Remove dirt and mold from the washing machine
Long-term solution to odor-causing bacteria can be achieved with a few simple measures that you can easily integrate into your laundry routine. First, you should thoroughly clean your washing machine. The best place to start is the wash drum. Over time, residues of lint, detergent, and fabric softener accumulate there – an environment where germs thrive. At the same time, clean the detergent drawer and seals, as debris also gets stuck there. Wipe everything with a damp cloth and some cleaner, then thoroughly dry the surfaces.
2. Keep the lint filter and drain hose clean
The lint filter and drain hose also benefit from a thorough cleaning. Foreign objects like lint, fibers, or hair can get stuck here, which over time start to smell or even clog the drains. Therefore, regularly clean your machine's filters and hoses – this prevents bacteria and odors. You can find more information on cleaning your washing machine in your user manual.
3. Eliminate bacteria with the bluu silvertrooper
To keep your laundry free from bacteria, germs, and bad odors, use thebluu silvertrooper. You can simply place the Hygiene silver cloth in with your laundry before starting the wash cycle. The silver cloth has a strong antibacterial effect, eliminates bacteria and germs, and ensures your laundry stays hygienic and fresh! The silvertrooper even allows you to lower the wash temperature by 20 °C while retaining the exact same hygienic effect. This means you can safely wash your laundry at 40 °C without concerns, and replace your usual 60 °C wash cycles as a result. Now discover the silvertrooper!
When using the silvertrooper, your laundry automatically leaves fewer bacteria in your washing machine.
4. Descale the washing machine regularly
Cleaning the washing machine is not something you do once and then forget about. To ensure your laundry always comes out fresh from the machine and doesn't stink, you should maintain a consistent cleaning routine. Although there is no universal answer to the question “How often do I need to descale and clean my washing machine?”, you can follow this rule of thumb: The more often you wash, the more often you should clean your washing machine! For three washes per week, the drum, rubber seals, and detergent drawer should be descaled approximately every three months. The drain hoses and lint filter should be deep cleaned once to twice a year to prevent buildup.
For this, use one of thebluu calcbusters. The descaler is 6x stronger than conventional descalers, pre-dosed, and easy to use. Place one calcbuster in the main detergent compartment (without detergent) and start the cleaning program (at the highest possible temperature).Secure your calcbusters now!
5. Ventilate after the wash cycle
Do you always close your washing machine door right after cleaning or after doing Laundry? You are actually doing the bacteria inside the machine a big favor! Because as a rule, moisture remains trapped inside the machine after Laundry or cleaning, which seals in when you shut the door. This accidentally creates the ideal breeding environment for bacteria and germs! For that reason, leave the drum and detergent drawer open after every Laundry cycle, and air the machine out for several hours. This permanently prevents unpleasant odors from developing inside the machine.
6. Easily biodegradable detergent helps against odors from the machine
Many conventional laundry detergents leave residue buildup in your washing machine, on rubber seals, filters, and drain pipes. Treat your machine and your laundry to an easily biodegradable detergent that dissolves completely without leaving any leftover residue. There are now modern, eco-friendly detergent alternatives on the market, like bluu Laundry Detergent Sheets, that are gentle on the environment, your washing machine, and your laundry. These sheets deliver reliable cleaning performance even at wash temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees, while also saving energy!
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7. Wash without fabric softener
Of course, fabric softener makes your laundry smell fresh and is probably your first thought as a solution to stinky laundry. However, you are literally adding fuel to the fire, as fabric softener only makes the situation worse. The reason: many fabric softeners contain animal fats designed to make laundry feel fluffy. Unfortunately, these fats, which accumulate on clothes and the wash drum, attract bacteria. Therefore, reduce your use of fabric softener or look for vegan alternatives. Tip: There are now detergents on the market that let you completely skip fabric softener!
8. Household remedies for stinky laundry: that's what really works
For almost every problem, there are small household helpers – which is luckily also the case for stinky laundry: If your laundry comes out of the washing machine smelling bad, you can mix some lemon juice with water and add it to the drum before the wash cycle. This easily kills germs and odors. The same applies to colorless vinegar – you should add this to the fabric softener drawer. Baking soda or baking powder also work against bacteria when mixed with the detergent before the wash cycle.
9. Proper laundry washing prevents unpleasant odors!
After you have deep cleaned your washing machine, it is important to prevent future germ buildup. This starts with simple preparation: let your dirty clothing dry before a Laundry load, so no bacteria form in the laundry basket that can then transfer into the machine. Also, do not add too much or too little clothing to the drum for each Laundry cycle. You should never stuff the drum completely full, as individual garments will not rinse properly. Once the Laundry cycle finishes, empty the machine right away. If damp clothing sits in the drum for too long, it will develop a musty odor that sets deep into fabrics, which is exactly what you want to avoid!
You see: proper Laundry is no rocket science, and fresh-smelling laundry is even simpler! By the way, you can find more useful Laundry Tips here.
