Sour Smelling (Clean) Laundry - Help Please

[Anonymous]

Lately all of our clothing and towels smell sour after washing and drying. I don't let anything sit in the washer, they either go immediately into the dryer or I line dry all depending on what the items are. For example t-shirt, jeans, workout clothing = line dry. Towels and sheets = dryer.

I recently switched to Tide Free & Gentle, but I used to use Tide scented and this never seemed to happen with the scented Tide. I also use Clorox Laundry Sanitizer with most of my laundry loads. This one:



What's going on?! This morning I've had to rewash a bunch of t-shirts and jeans for the 3rd time. So frustrating.

[Anonymous]

The free of scents detergent isn’t masking the odors that are there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The free of scents detergent isn’t masking the odors that are there.

OP here - I don't think that's it. Even with scented detergents that sour smell comes out if the clothing has been left sitting in the washer a long time. I know this because in the past on occasion, when I've forgotten that the clothes are sitting, that sour smell would be there even with the scented detergent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The free of scents detergent isn’t masking the odors that are there.

This. Your clothes really haven’t been getting clean it’s just the detergent masking the scent. Kind of gross if you think about it. You probably need to strip your clothes. Built up oil, sweat, etc. I don’t allow my husband to put his workout clothes in with anything else because if he does they all end up stinking. I have him strip his clothes four times a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free of scents detergent isn’t masking the odors that are there.

This. Your clothes really haven’t been getting clean it’s just the detergent masking the scent. Kind of gross if you think about it. You probably need to strip your clothes. Built up oil, sweat, etc. I don’t allow my husband to put his workout clothes in with anything else because if he does they all end up stinking. I have him strip his clothes four times a year.

Okay so then how do you "strip" the clothing?

[Anonymous]

Could there be mold in the washer?

[Anonymous]

I haven’t done it, but here is the laundry stripping method.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a33588329/laundry-stripping/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_pmx_us_urlx_17703649415&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI49fJmZiq_wIVCcvICh2EDAFMEAAYASAAEgKpQ_D_BwE

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could there be mold in the washer?

No I keep my washer immaculate. It's a front loader so I'm very careful to keep it clean and to always keep the door open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could there be mold in the washer?

No I keep my washer immaculate. It's a front loader so I'm very careful to keep it clean and to always keep the door open.

I realize you’re probably not in the market for a new w/d but I swear by my top loader with agitator. My clothes feel so much cleaner than my old front loader. Takes a bit longer to wash though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could there be mold in the washer?

No I keep my washer immaculate. It's a front loader so I'm very careful to keep it clean and to always keep the door open.

I realize you’re probably not in the market for a new w/d but I swear by my top loader with agitator. My clothes feel so much cleaner than my old front loader. Takes a bit longer to wash though.

Correct, not in the market. My W/D are only 2 years old

[Anonymous]

Trying running a sanitize cycle w white vinegar and hot water. Only if you haven’t used bleach recently though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying running a sanitize cycle w white vinegar and hot water. Only if you haven’t used bleach recently though.

I did a bleach cycle yesterday but have done two additional non-bleach loads since that bleach load. Would it be okay to run a vinegar cycle now? I have a giant jug of it, and am ready to try it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could there be mold in the washer?

No I keep my washer immaculate. It's a front loader so I'm very careful to keep it clean and to always keep the door open.

I would still do a few washing machine cleaning cycles. I am also very careful but still use Affresh tablets every few months just to keep the insides from getting any build-up. You can also run an empty load with a bunch of vinegar and see if that helps.

[Anonymous]

Try the scented Lysol Sanitizer in the rinse cycle (soak at least 16 minutes then restart).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could there be mold in the washer?

No I keep my washer immaculate. It's a front loader so I'm very careful to keep it clean and to always keep the door open.

I would still do a few washing machine cleaning cycles. I am also very careful but still use Affresh tablets every few months just to keep the insides from getting any build-up. You can also run an empty load with a bunch of vinegar and see if that helps.

Okay I'm trying this right now. Just started a vinegar "tub clean/sanitizer" cycle. It's going to take 1.5 hrs but if it works I'm fine with that!