Why clothes smell even after washing
Short answer: Either the smell is in the washing machine, or fabric softener and soap residue are trapping odours in the fabric. Both can usually be fixed without throwing the clothes away.
Two possible causes
When clothes smell even though they have just been washed, there are usually two explanations. One is that the machine itself smells and passes it on to the laundry. The other is that residue in the fabric holds on to odour from sweat and wear. It can be both at once, so look at each separately.
Check the machine first
A machine with soap residue and biofilm smells on its own, and that smell settles into everything washed in it. Run an empty wash at 90 degrees and wipe the rubber seal around the door with a cloth. Leave the door and detergent drawer open between washes so they can dry. Read more about washing and care.
Fabric softener traps odour
Fabric softener leaves a thin film on the fibres. The film makes clothes feel soft, but it also holds on to odours instead of releasing them in the wash. That is why clothes washed with softener can start to smell sooner after wear. Wash the item twice without softener, and the smell often disappears.
Too much detergent
More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. Excess soap is not rinsed out and stays in the fibres, where it traps odour and dirt. Dose according to the size of the load and how dirty it is, not by what the cap holds. Choose an extra rinse if you suspect residue is left behind.
Do not overload the machine
An overfilled machine can neither wash nor rinse properly, because the clothes have no room to move in the water. Dirt and soap are left behind. There should be room for a hand across the top of the load in the drum. Two smaller loads are better than one large load that does not come clean.
A single hot wash
Once an item has picked up a smell, a single wash at 60 degrees can often reset it. The heat loosens residue that a cool wash cannot reach. Do not make it a habit, because high heat wears on fabric and elastic over time. Always check the care label first. See bamboo underwear for men.
Dry completely
Clothes folded while slightly damp will smell after a few days in the drawer. This applies especially to thick socks and waistbands, which dry more slowly than the rest. Feel the toes and the elastic before folding. Better to leave them hanging an hour too long than an hour too short. See all bamboo socks for men.
Take the laundry out straight away
Wet clothes left in the drum for several hours start to smell, however well they were washed. Take them out as soon as the programme finishes and hang them with air around them. If you forgot them, running a short rinse is better than hanging them up as they are.
In short
Start with the machine: run an empty hot wash and leave the door open. Skip the softener, use less detergent and do not overload the drum. Take the laundry out straight away and let it dry completely before folding. If the smell has set in, a single wash at 60 degrees often helps.
Frequently asked questions
Why do clothes smell after washing?
Either the smell is in the machine, or fabric softener and soap residue are trapping odours in the fabric. Often it is a mix of both.
How do you clean a washing machine?
Run an empty wash at 90 degrees and wipe the rubber seal. Leave the door and detergent drawer open between washes so the machine can dry inside.
Does more detergent help?
No, quite the opposite. Too much detergent leaves residue that traps odour in the fibres. Dose by the size of the load and add an extra rinse if in doubt.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
