Everyone knows it, but hardly anyone talks about it and many people are helpless in the face of the problem: You open the washing machine and the laundry stinks. So what should you do? You should take action at the latest when you take stinking laundry out of the washing machine several times in a row!
Why does my washing machine stink?
The reason for a smelly washing machine - and the bad-smelling laundry that goes with it - is quite simple: The cause of the problem is nasty bacteria and germs that accumulate in the washing machine over time and spread a rotten smell. But you can do something about it, because with small changes, such as the right detergent or the right care, your laundry will soon smell wonderfully fresh again!
Possible causes of smelly laundry:
- Poor hygiene in the machine
- Washing machine is not aired
- Deposits inside the machine
- Wrong detergent - try the bluu washing strips
- Laundry stays in the drum too long
These tips against smelly laundry will help you to finally get this unpleasant problem under control!
1. remove dirt and mold from the washing machine
A few simple measures that you can easily integrate into your everyday washing routine will provide a long-term remedy against odor-causing bacteria. First, you should clean your washing machine thoroughly. It's best to start with the washing drum. Over time, residues of fluff, detergent and fabric softener build up there - an environment in which germs feel very much at home. At the same time, also clean the rinse compartment and the seals, as this is also where impurities get stuck. Wipe everything down with a damp cloth and a little detergent and then dry the surfaces thoroughly.
2. keep the fluff filter and drain hose clean
The fluff filter and drain hose also benefit from a thorough clean. This is because foreign objects such as fluff, fibers or hair can get caught here, which can start to smell over time or even block the drains. Therefore, clean the strainers and hoses of your machine regularly to prevent bacteria and odors. You can find more information on cleaning your washing machine in the relevant operating instructions.
3. eliminate bacteria with the bluu silvertrooper
To ensure your laundry is free from bacteria, germs and bad odors, use the bluu silvertrooper. You can simply add the hygienic silver cloth to your laundry before starting the wash cycle. The silver cloth has a strong antibacterial effect and eliminates bacteria and germs, ensuring hygienic and fresh laundry! The silvertrooper even allows you to lower the wash temperature by 20 °C for the same hygienic effect. This means you can wash your laundry at 40 °C without hesitation and replace your 60 °C wash cycles. Discover the silvertrooper now!
By using the silvertrooper, your laundry will automatically leave fewer bacteria in your washing machine.
4. descale your washing machine regularly
Cleaning your washing machine is not something you can do once and then forget about. To ensure that your laundry always comes out of the machine fresh and doesn't stink, you should make a consistent cleaning routine a priority. Although there is no general answer to the question "How often do I need to descale and clean my washing machine?", you can use the following rule of thumb as a guide: The more often you wash, the more often you should clean your washing machine! With three wash cycles per week, the drum, rubber seals and rinse compartment need to be descaled approximately every three months. The drain hoses and lint filter should be thoroughly cleaned once or twice a year to prevent dirt from building up.
Use one of the bluu calcbusters for this. The descaler is 6 times stronger than conventional descaler, pre-dosed and easy to use. Place a calcbuster without detergent in the main detergent compartment and start the cleaning program (at the highest possible temperature). Get the calcbusters now!
5. air after the wash cycle
Do you always close the washing machine door after cleaning or doing laundry? You're doing bacteria in the machine a favor! This is because moisture usually remains in the machine after washing or cleaning, which you lock in. This unintentionally creates the ideal environment for bacteria and germs! Therefore, leave the drum and drawer open after every wash cycle and air out the machine for several hours. This will prevent unpleasant odors from developing in the machine in the long term.
6. easily biodegradable detergent helps to prevent odors from the machine
Many conventional detergents leave residues in the washing machine, rubber seals, strainers or drainpipes. So treat your machine and your laundry to an easily biodegradable detergent that dissolves without leaving any residue. There are now modern and environmentally friendly detergent alternatives, such as the washing strips from bluu, which are good for nature, the machine and the laundry. They even clean reliably at a washing temperature of 30 to 40 degrees and save energy at the same time!
Sustainable washing with bluu
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7. wash without fabric softener
Of course, fabric softener leaves your laundry smelling fresh and is therefore perhaps your first thought as a solution to smelly 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, which are supposed to make the laundry cozy. Unfortunately, bacteria are attracted to these fats, which collect in the clothes and the washing drum. Therefore, reduce your use of fabric softener or look for vegan alternatives. Tip: There are now also detergents on the market that allow you to do without fabric softener completely!
8. home remedies for smelly laundry: what really helps
There are little household helpers for almost every problem. Fortunately, this is also the case with smelly laundry: If your laundry comes out of the washing machine stinking, you can mix some lemon juice with water and put it in the drum before the wash cycle. This is an easy way to kill germs and odors. The same applies to colorless vinegar - you should add this to the fabric softener drawer. Baking soda or baking powder are also effective against bacteria if you mix them with the detergent before the wash cycle.
9. washing laundry properly prevents unpleasant odors!
After you have given your washing machine a thorough clean, it is important to prevent future germ infestation. This starts with the preparation: let your dirty laundry dry before washing to prevent bacteria from forming in the laundry basket and then entering the machine. Also, don't put too much or too little laundry in the drum for each wash cycle. Under no circumstances should you fill it up to the top - as this prevents the individual items of clothing from being rinsed properly. Once the washing machine has run, it is best to empty it immediately. After all, if the damp items of clothing remain in the drum for too long, a musty odor will develop and settle in the textiles, which is something you want to avoid!
As you can see, washing properly is not rocket science and fresh-smelling laundry certainly isn't! You can find more useful washing tips here.
