Why is it that clothes have no smell when taken out of the dryer?

[washer111]

Softeners and Washers

That is a load of bullspit, if ever I heard it. 

Softener RUINS machines when they are used on COLD WATER and perhaps a combination of NOT ENOUGH detergent, TOO MUCH detergent, HARD WATER or a COMBINATION of the 4. 

 

Our old Hoover DD TL machine (replaced in 2008) lasted just over 14 years WITHOUT fabric softener use, and rare use of hot water. The thing died of electrical fault - but I've read of people being prolific users (with the same machines) and them lasting 10 years. 

 

If you are concerned about softeners ruining your machine - every month (or 2, or 3) run the hottest possible wash, with plenty of good detergent/stain remover and a soak cycle. If you don't want to waste your detergent (however precious it may be), use baking soda and vinegar as your "softener" for the wash. Regular maintenance, care and CORRECT use of your washer will prevent softener causing harm. 

 

This photo is from another post, by another member on this forum (mayfan69, another Australian member): 20 years of COLD water washing. I believe this was AFTER cleaning... If the machine was used correctly (with or without softener, but certainly Hot/Warm washers), that buildup wouldn't have been existent:

 

 

[washer111]

Onto Topic:

If you aren't getting any fragrance out of the tumble dryer, you may wish to try using the "Less Dry" setting (For Automatics), Less time or a lower temperature/different fabric selection. Based on what is written above, I would avoid the tumble dryer sheets like the plague. 

 

For best results, use a GOOD quality softener (not too pungent, one that doesn't give reactions/headaches) in your washer. That way, you aren't ruining clothes or the dryer, or the washer (see my above post!). Any buildup in the washer is "washed away" with subsequent Hot/Warm washes. If you are really concerned, rinse with warm water, if possible. 

 

[frigilux]

Every house I've ever lived in has had a water softener, so fabric softeners produce little difference except to add a scent to fabrics.  I used Downy on loads of dress clothes to tackle the merciless wintertime static cling on poly-cotton blends.  Since purchasing a dryer in 2010 with a "static eliminator" option (a fine mist of water is sprayed onto the load just as the cool-down begins),  I've been liberated from using fabric softener all together.  No build-up in washer, dryer, or on clothes.

 

I'm probably in the minority on this opinion, but I don't want my clothes to have a scent attached to them after laundering.

 

[abcomatic]

I have soft water here so I never use any sort of softner in the washer or dryer. Gary

 

[westingman123]

Nor do I...

Since Final Touch changed their formula to the waxy mess it is now, I've been fabric softener free. I hang out whenever weather permits, anyway, so I get that line-dried smell. I find that superior anyway.

I work with the public, and more times than I can count I can identify the people who use dryer sheets. I'd rather not smell like everyone else, thank you.

Somebody on my street uses waaaaay too much Bounce, often in the evenings after dinner the whole block reeks of it.

 

[maytagbear]

All, and I do mean ALL

of the coin-op dryers I have ever used here in my college town are just gunked up with softener sheets. Fortunately, I can dry my fiberfill comforter at home. There were a few weeks when my washer was connected and my dryer not......

I like and use rinse added softener, I cut Downy "April Fresh" with Downy unscented.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Did the ultra-violet "sunshine" lamps ever make your clothes smell fresh?

I wish my clothes smelled as good dried as they did washed, too! (And I sometimes use dryer sheets as well...)

Dryers today need something to help 'em help your clothes smell better (surely there was some feature in some by-gone era, like maybe one GE had, or Maytag's drying cabinet)...!

-- Dave

 

[laundromat]

In order to keep the fresh aroma of Gain detergent and fabric softener, I use a lower drykng temperature because the hotter the air, the less aroma there will be in the clothes being dried. The high heat burns the scent out.

 

[foxchapel]

Somebody on my street uses waaaaay too much Bounce,

It is difficult to ~not~ gag while distance walking thru the neighborhood as the cloud of Bounce et al dryer sheets fallout from various homes has permeated the entire subdivision.

 

[polkanut]

I find that by using ½ the amount stated on the softener jug I still get a light but not overwhelming scent, and it still softens as it should.

 

[mtn1584]

Get over it you crybabies!!!!!

I USE SUAVITEL FIELD FLOWERS LIQUID FABRIC SOFTENER, AND DRYER SHEETS, BOTH AVAILABLE AT WALLY WORLD!!!! I GET NOTHING BUT COMPLIMENTS ON THE WAY MY CLOTHES SMELL!!!!
DON'T BE AFRAID OF SCENTS!!!! EMBRACE THEM!!!!
MIKE

 

[maytagbear]

One......

First, posting in all capital letters is considered to be shouting, and is very rude.

Secondly, it would be nice if you could respect the choices of other people.

Third, and last: some people have fragrance/chemical allergies. I do not, ever mean that you have to give up using scented softener, just that for some people, this is a matter of medical importance.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[launderess]

Just finished up this week's set of linens washed in Gai

A product known for being highly fragrant, and am here to tell you what was a powerful smell out of the washer has now almost gone after line drying and ironing.

 

[tolivac]

Sauvitel is AWFULLY strong scented-If you use it and run clothes treated with Sauvitel thru your dryer-the exhaust smells like a perfume factory.Yes,use it if you like.The scent is a little too powerful for me.

 

[norgechef]

Here in Canada

Suavitel is called Fleecy! lol

 

[norgechef]

Just like

Dynamo and Fab are called ABC and Arctic Power..

 

[whirlcool]

And since they 3X'd the Sauvitel it's even stronger. We used to occasionally use the "Baby Scent" 1x version which was fine. But then when they 3X'd it the whole neighborhood would smell like it while the clothes washed in it were drying in the dryer. In fact one night we woke up in the middle of the night because our sheets that had been rinsed in Sauvitel smelled so bad our noses were burning! Nothing like a 2 am bedding change! And we reduced the amount because it was 3x.

Even today when we are in the yard we can tell if someone in the area has used Sauvitel. It really reeks.

How often do we use fabric softener? We have two bottles of Downy on the laundry room shelf that have separated into a gloppy mess. I'm thinking about shaking them up and leaving them in our local coin op. Maybe someone there would like them.

 

[washer111]

Softener:

I am guilty of using it on my clothes and sheets. Annoyingly, I wash my darker stuff at 30º (just under 100º - a temperature that feels cool/warm but refreshing at your local pool), and can TELL that the softener has been there, since the water on the glass gets spotted as the cycle starts, and using loads of detergent can't won't even produce suds... It might be time to wash them at a higher temp, or with Pre-Wash at a higher temperature, lol. 

 

My other stuff does it, but not to such a large degree. I may cut back on my usage to save them a tad...

 

[mtn1584]

MAYTAG BEAR

I ALWAYS YELL!!!!!!!!!! I AM ITALIAN!!!!!! HAVEN'T YOU EVER WATCHED "EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND?" LOL
I was only kidding, i will take it down a notch, so as not to offend (typed while hiding under the desk) LOL
MIKE

 

[yogitunes]

detergent/softener scents and its use or lack there of, is the same as peoples personal hygiene, theres the world that never heard of it, and then theres the ones that soak themselves in it.....

they both go to extremes in either case.....and then theres the rest of us in the middle....no matter what extreme, our eyes water!

only on this planet!.......lol