This post, How to Have Clean Laundry That Smells Good, is sponsored by EnviroKlenz. All opinions are my own.
One of the best things about having an empty nest is laundry day. Yep, it’s a day now. Actually, it’s only a small part of a day. I no longer do multiple loads of laundry every single day. Let’s all pause for a moment of silence while I do a happy dance inside.
At one time, I taught an elective course to high school students similar to home economics, but more hip and cool. Basically, I taught them how to ensure clean laundry, entertain (which fork to use, where the napkins go, how to write thank-you notes, etc.), and clean house. The students enjoyed learning how to do laundry correctly and I hope they remember everything I taught them.
Doing laundry the right way is a thing with me. When one student told me she tosses all her clothes together and dumps them in the machine, I about keeled over. Once the course was over, she realized why her whites turned slightly red.
For me, laundry must smell clean. I don’t care how clean it looks, if it doesn’t smell clean, I’m not buying the cleanliness of said clothing. With that in mind, here are my top 5 tips for clean laundry.
Top 5 Tips for Clean Laundry That Smells Good
1. Sort Your Clothing
Start with colors. Separate your clothing according to color – white, light, bright and colored. You should also separate natural fibers from synthetic.
Helpful Hint: I only use white towels and washcloths. Buy one color and stick with it. It’s a tip my mom taught me years ago. That way, I don’t have to separate the towels and I can add a little bleach as needed.
Your water temperature matters!
I admit that I never use hot water. However, hot water is best for highly dirty or greasy clothes. Hot water can also cause fading and shrinkage, so beware. Cold water is good for delicate fabrics, dark clothes and clothes that bleed. Cold water also saves energy. Warm water is what I use for most of my laundry, especially towels.
2. Don’t Overload Your Washer
We’re all tempted to throw everything together in one humongous load. Don’t do it. You won’t end up with clean laundry and it’s not good for your machine.
3. Check Those Pockets
I won’t bore you with all the times I forgot to check pockets when my kids were growing up. I’ve washed and dried crayons, even a cell phone. Sigh. The crayons ruined an entire load of clothes. Finally, I made a new rule:
If I find money in your pockets, it’s mine!
That one rule just about guaranteed that pockets would be checked before tossing clothes into the laundry hamper.
Helpful Hint: Giving each child his own laundry hamper helps tremendously, plus it helps kids keep their room picked up when they’re taught where the dirty clothes are deposited.
4. Use the Correct Laundry Detergent
I get dizzy when I think about how many different types washing machines are out there these days. Using the proper detergent is crucial.
5. Use EnviroKlenz Laundry Enhancer to Eliminate Odors
EnviroKlenz Laundry Enhancer works great on removing odors such as fragrances, smoke, musty odors, sweat and body odors. This product is non-bleaching or staining and doesn’t contain masking agents or additional fragrances.
I don’t like to use harsh chemicals that mask the odor and doesn’t address the source. EnviroKlenz products are:
- Safe
- Non-toxic
- Fragrance free
- Environmentally friendly
I’m picky about my laundry, and I feel good about using EnviroKlenz. It’s safe for the environment and is earth friendly.
Bonus Tips
- If you use dryer sheets like I do, cut them in half to save money. A half sheet works as well as a full sheet.
- Be sure and keep your washer and dryer clean.
- Check the labels before purchasing clothing. Dry Clean Only clothes end up costing much more in the long run.
- I never place delicates or swimsuits or any of my tops in the dryer. Most of my husband’s laundry gets tossed right in.
What’s your favorite laundry tip?
