Why do my clothes smell?

bananacake · 06-17-2016, 05:16 AM

There is something seriously wrong in our laundry system. What would cause our clothes to smell like something died or threw up on our clothes? It's not a BO smell.

We use Charlie Soap. The kids' clothes don't seem to smell. DH & mine do. It's really horrendous. Even my brand new shirts smell after one wash.

We had a similar issue at our last home, and it was because of a clogged dryer tube/exhaust tube. We don't think that's the case here.

Ideas? It's really disturbing.

2TMama · 06-17-2016, 05:45 AM

My hubby thought his work shirts had an odor due to homemade (ineffective??) laundry soap. We switched soap.....they still develop a smell. I thought maybe i was overstuffing the machine....but only certain items have a smell.....so i have decided it is some of the clothes made of synthetic fabric (i.e. Not 100% cotton)

Fwiw, every so often i soak these items in borax water...and also think line-drying in the sun helps!

mamacat · 06-17-2016, 05:57 AM

We have had same issue with synthetics.If you use non natural stuff the heavy perfumes mask it but if you use things like Charlies like you do they dont have the masking perfumes.Using vinegar in rinse water can help and then putting them on a hanger to dry and not in drier seems to help

MaySunflowers · 06-17-2016, 06:09 AM

When our washer broke once a friend offered to do some loads for me and all the clothes came back smelling too. In that case she said something in her dryer seemed to not be working properly, they came back to me damp but it was definitely not a damp smell at all.

Maybe it could still be a dryer issue for you?

ValiantJoy07 · 06-17-2016, 06:40 AM

We had the same issue. This is why http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/c...charlies-soap/

Add in hard water http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/h...cloth-diapers/

They aren't super crunchy but the science behind why some of the natural detergents don't work makes sense. I have been using seventh generation ultra power plus with borax and for the first time in years our laundry (even the synthetic fibers) smells GOOD.

---------- Post added at 09:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

Obviously those are talking about diapers. But it holds true for laundry as well. My laundry stunk until I started using a water softener (borax) in the loads and using a detergent with enzymes...years of trying this, trying that, thinking I was just bad at laundry or my machines were old and terrible, or new and terrible (and I do have a snow flake machine, cabrio whirlpool, but it does the job when I use the right combination of stuff).

HuggaBuggaMommy · 06-17-2016, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValiantJoy07

8We had the same issue. This is why http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/c...charlies-soap/

Add in hard water http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/h...cloth-diapers/

They aren't super crunchy but the science behind why some of the natural detergents don't work makes sense. I have been using seventh generation ultra power plus with borax and for the first time in years our laundry (even the synthetic fibers) smells GOOD.

---------- Post added at 09:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ----------

Obviously those are talking about diapers. But it holds true for laundry as well. My laundry stunk until I started using a water softener (borax) in the loads and using a detergent with enzymes...years of trying this, trying that, thinking I was just bad at laundry or my machines were old and terrible, or new and terrible (and I do have a snow flake machine, cabrio whirlpool, but it does the job when I use the right combination of stuff).

Yes. Same here. I found a natural detergent with enzymes that works amazing (I can't recall the name because I don't buy it all the time; it's expensive and only one store about 20 minutes from me carries it, but I bought it on a whim once and it was so good. I was like, "why are my clothes so clean???") And we also need the borax because of our hard water.

Singingmom · 06-17-2016, 07:51 AM

Since the kids' clothes don't smell, how does your closet smell? I had a mold issue in my coat closet last year, and it wasn't until I pulled everything out and found mold growing on the back of a little wooden trunk that i was able to get rid of that awful smell on all of our coats.

jenny_islander · 06-17-2016, 08:32 AM

What Singingmom said. Our clothes started to stink a few months before somebody finally found our drainpipe (long story) and the large, healthy cottonwood that was rooted in it. Yes, household blackwater was backing up into the washer.

But if your clothes smell bad and the kids' clothes don't, I would check your closet for black mold. And dead mice.

bananacake · 06-17-2016, 10:16 AM

We have mold. And we're washing cloth diapers. But the boys' room has mold too.

The mold is not visible and is only a teeny bit above the normal range.

Next question: what type of enzyme detergent and where do you buy it?

Dovenoir · 06-17-2016, 03:00 PM

I use ecos with enzymes on a regular basis and era for particularly nasty loads.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

bananacake · 06-17-2016, 03:36 PM

I didn't see enzyme soap at my regular grocery. Would I need to go to Whole Foods or something similar?

---------- Post added at 05:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 PM ----------

I will add my clothes in the closet don't smell. The ones that smell are in dressers. Perhaps it's because I don't wear the closet clothes very much.

ValiantJoy07 · 06-17-2016, 03:39 PM

My target carries Seventh Generation. ultra Power Plus it has enzymes it 's safe for cloth diapers.

Here is the list of detergents, if they contain enZymes and if they are recommended for cloth diapers (won't leave a coating and cause absorbancy issues). http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/h...tergent-index/

Also you could use a laundry booster like bac-out with a more natural detergent...

bananacake · 06-20-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValiantJoy07

My target carries Seventh Generation. ultra Power Plus it has enzymes it 's safe for cloth diapers.

Here is the list of detergents, if they contain enZymes and if they are recommended for cloth diapers (won't leave a coating and cause absorbancy issues). http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/h...tergent-index/

Also you could use a laundry booster like bac-out with a more natural detergent...

That website is a little overwhelming

and doesn't navigate well in my browser. Unless I can find one in the "A's"

I bought some Odor Blaster Oxy Clean. I could not find Bac-out or 7th Gen with enzymes. And I have a tub and a half of Charlie Soap left!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

kiloyd · 06-20-2016, 06:30 PM

Front loader? We had mildew issues when I had a front loader.

My clothes that I don't wear frequently (ie the ones on the bottom half) in just my dresser drawers smell a bit funny, it's whatever wood it is I guess. Because the rest of the family's drawers don't do that.

mellifera · 06-20-2016, 07:33 PM

The best thing I ever did for our clothes was to start using Tide.

06-17-2016, 05:16 AM	#1
bananacake Rose Garden I Am A BananaCake Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast US Posts: 25,124	Why do my clothes smell? There is something seriously wrong in our laundry system. What would cause our clothes to smell like something died or threw up on our clothes? It's not a BO smell. We use Charlie Soap. The kids' clothes don't seem to smell. DH & mine do. It's really horrendous. Even my brand new shirts smell after one wash. We had a similar issue at our last home, and it was because of a clogged dryer tube/exhaust tube. We don't think that's the case here. Ideas? It's really disturbing. __________________ Brenna 3 kiddos (16 1/2, 14 & 9) Praying for semi-son, age 35 I live by the motto: seek first to understand. "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

06-17-2016, 05:45 AM	#2
2TMama Rose Garden Flawed & Forgiven. Rescued, Redeemed & Restored. Image Bearer, Grace Embracer, Joy Seeker & Hope Stirrer. Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,983	Re: Why do my clothes smell? My hubby thought his work shirts had an odor due to homemade (ineffective??) laundry soap. We switched soap.....they still develop a smell. I thought maybe i was overstuffing the machine....but only certain items have a smell.....so i have decided it is some of the clothes made of synthetic fabric (i.e. Not 100% cotton) Fwiw, every so often i soak these items in borax water...and also think line-drying in the sun helps! __________________ Wife to the man He led me to 20 years ago Mama to my favorite kids- two teens , & two toddlers

06-17-2016, 05:57 AM	#3
mamacat Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 26,473	Re: Why do my clothes smell? We have had same issue with synthetics.If you use non natural stuff the heavy perfumes mask it but if you use things like Charlies like you do they dont have the masking perfumes.Using vinegar in rinse water can help and then putting them on a hanger to dry and not in drier seems to help __________________ ~Catherine~ Mama to 5: C W C J S And Grandma to 3: A ,K and baby C

06-17-2016, 06:09 AM	#4
MaySunflowers Deactivated Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: UK Posts: 7,781	Re: Why do my clothes smell? When our washer broke once a friend offered to do some loads for me and all the clothes came back smelling too. In that case she said something in her dryer seemed to not be working properly, they came back to me damp but it was definitely not a damp smell at all. Maybe it could still be a dryer issue for you?

06-17-2016, 06:40 AM	#5
ValiantJoy07 Rose Garden "Take Joy Home, And make a place in thy great heart for her...Joy is the grace we say to God." ~Jean Ingelow~ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Forest Posts: 16,337	Re: Why do my clothes smell? We had the same issue. This is why http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/c...charlies-soap/ Add in hard water http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/h...cloth-diapers/ They aren't super crunchy but the science behind why some of the natural detergents don't work makes sense. I have been using seventh generation ultra power plus with borax and for the first time in years our laundry (even the synthetic fibers) smells GOOD. ---------- Post added at 09:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:35 AM ---------- Obviously those are talking about diapers. But it holds true for laundry as well. My laundry stunk until I started using a water softener (borax) in the loads and using a detergent with enzymes...years of trying this, trying that, thinking I was just bad at laundry or my machines were old and terrible, or new and terrible (and I do have a snow flake machine, cabrio whirlpool, but it does the job when I use the right combination of stuff). __________________ Hannah Joy Intuitive People Loving Introvert Married since '05 to Ryan software and web applications developer. Homeschooling Mama to my 5 Joys... dd1 RJ (12/07), dd2 AJ (08/09), dd3 PJ (01/12), ds1 Ziggy (09/15), ds2 Sunny (05/18) Enjoying a Healing Diet to manage SPD and other health challenges. Sorry for the typos and sloppy grammar I don't have a good excuse anymore. Last edited by ValiantJoy07; 06-17-2016 at 09:07 AM.

06-17-2016, 07:51 AM	#7
Singingmom Administrator Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 25,954	Re: Why do my clothes smell? Since the kids' clothes don't smell, how does your closet smell? I had a mold issue in my coat closet last year, and it wasn't until I pulled everything out and found mold growing on the back of a little wooden trunk that i was able to get rid of that awful smell on all of our coats. __________________ Kelly Wife to my sweetheart for 30 years Grateful mom to 3 young adults Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

06-17-2016, 08:32 AM	#8
jenny_islander Rose Trellis Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,362	Re: Why do my clothes smell? What Singingmom said. Our clothes started to stink a few months before somebody finally found our drainpipe (long story) and the large, healthy cottonwood that was rooted in it. Yes, household blackwater was backing up into the washer. But if your clothes smell bad and the kids' clothes don't, I would check your closet for black mold. And dead mice. __________________ Wife to John, December 18, 1999 ~ Mother to Sophia, March 13, 2004 ~ Mother to Eva, June 10, 2006 ~ Mother to Matthew, December 21, 2009 ~ Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will lift me up.

06-17-2016, 10:16 AM	#9
bananacake Rose Garden I Am A BananaCake Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast US Posts: 25,124	Re: Why do my clothes smell? We have mold. And we're washing cloth diapers. But the boys' room has mold too. The mold is not visible and is only a teeny bit above the normal range. Next question: what type of enzyme detergent and where do you buy it? __________________ Brenna 3 kiddos (16 1/2, 14 & 9) Praying for semi-son, age 35 I live by the motto: seek first to understand. "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

06-17-2016, 03:00 PM	#10
Dovenoir Rose Garden Dove - noir Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cincy, OH Posts: 5,600	Re: Why do my clothes smell? I use ecos with enzymes on a regular basis and era for particularly nasty loads. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk __________________ Lyz

06-17-2016, 03:36 PM	#11
bananacake Rose Garden I Am A BananaCake Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northeast US Posts: 25,124	Re: Why do my clothes smell? I didn't see enzyme soap at my regular grocery. Would I need to go to Whole Foods or something similar? ---------- Post added at 05:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:35 PM ---------- I will add my clothes in the closet don't smell. The ones that smell are in dressers. Perhaps it's because I don't wear the closet clothes very much. __________________ Brenna 3 kiddos (16 1/2, 14 & 9) Praying for semi-son, age 35 I live by the motto: seek first to understand. "Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." Proverbs 18:2

06-17-2016, 03:39 PM	#12
ValiantJoy07 Rose Garden "Take Joy Home, And make a place in thy great heart for her...Joy is the grace we say to God." ~Jean Ingelow~ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Forest Posts: 16,337	Re: Why do my clothes smell? My target carries Seventh Generation. ultra Power Plus it has enzymes it 's safe for cloth diapers. Here is the list of detergents, if they contain enZymes and if they are recommended for cloth diapers (won't leave a coating and cause absorbancy issues). http://www.fluffloveuniversity.com/h...tergent-index/ Also you could use a laundry booster like bac-out with a more natural detergent... __________________ Hannah Joy Intuitive People Loving Introvert Married since '05 to Ryan software and web applications developer. Homeschooling Mama to my 5 Joys... dd1 RJ (12/07), dd2 AJ (08/09), dd3 PJ (01/12), ds1 Ziggy (09/15), ds2 Sunny (05/18) Enjoying a Healing Diet to manage SPD and other health challenges. Sorry for the typos and sloppy grammar I don't have a good excuse anymore.

06-20-2016, 06:30 PM	#14
kiloyd Rose Garden Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 16,108	Re: Why do my clothes smell? Front loader? We had mildew issues when I had a front loader. My clothes that I don't wear frequently (ie the ones on the bottom half) in just my dresser drawers smell a bit funny, it's whatever wood it is I guess. Because the rest of the family's drawers don't do that. __________________ k-i-loyd, not kill loyd ISFJ/P Katherine, married 8-9-97 ds1 22 (adding a dil in August!) dd1 18 dd2 16 ds2 10

06-20-2016, 07:33 PM	#15
mellifera Rose Trellis Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,590	Re: Why do my clothes smell? The best thing I ever did for our clothes was to start using Tide.

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