You’re doing laundry wrong – expert shares common mistake
If you have ever noticed your laundry come out dirtier or smellier than it was before you put it in your washing machine, an expert has offered advice on where you may be going wrong. Taking to TikTok, Kelli, who is an employee of Splash ‘Em Out, pointed out the “number one mistake” that many fall victim to. “Too much detergent,” she said, “laundry is not a soap show.”
Kelli continued with what she described as a “gross fact”, advising: “Extra detergent doesn’t rinse out – it sticks to your fabric and traps sweat and bacteria.” The smell that returns once the clothes have been dried is down to the bacteria feeding on leftover soap, she revealed.
“Over-soaping re-deposits dirty water right back on to your clothes,” Kelli added. She added a final pointer: “Big machine does not mean big detergent.”
Writing in response to the clip, one TikTok user shared: “Fabric softener is waxy and makes the fibres waterproof so the more you add the less clean water can penetrate.” A second person shared their own tip: “Always use a cup of vinegar right before your rinse cycle, the vinegar will remove the soap that’s left over. You can also use vinegar as a fabric softener.”
A third pointed out: “They add lines in the cup for a reason to tell you how much to use based off load size. Add laundry detergent and vinegar to keep bacteria and odour out.”
While a fourth TikTok revealed their method, saying: “We exclusively use Vanish and nothing else. It’s incredibly clean. We absolutely detest detergent and softener strong smell. And how bad is that on a bathroom towel used once. Eek. And for the love of God people, stop drying your clothes in the kitchen when is not raining outside.”
Meanwhile, another laundry expert, Deyan Dimitrov, CEO of Laundryheap has shared his favourite tip for eliminating that damp musty smell – and all you need is a clean towel and an iron. He advised: “In order to prevent any damp or musty smells from clinging to your clothing as they dry, you can initially heat them up before hanging on your drying rack. Place each washed item on a flat surface and cover with a clean towel, before quickly running an iron over its surface.”
This method works because it removes the initial mixture from the clothing before you hang them up, meaning they are likely to dry faster. Once you’ve run the iron over your clothing, hang it on a laundry rack inside.
Avoid placing it too close to walls, as this can lead to issues with dampness. Instead, you want it to hang in a well-ventilated room, without being too crowded together. This means air can circulate effectively and dry your clothing faster.
