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How to hang clothes on a washing line

Is there are a right way and a wrong way to hang clothes on the line?

You bet there is! If you’ve ever wondered why your clothes take so long to dry, or why they’re an odd shape, or why you have to iron every single item to get it looking presentable to wear, read on for my advice on the correct way to hang clothes on the line allowing fast-drying, wrinkle-free results!

USE THE BEST PEGS

Your choice of clothes peg is important and there is no one size fits all the choice is huge and if you are not sure what to look for then check out my top peg buying tips.

Material

Clothes pegs are usually made from plastic, stainless steel or wood. Plastic clothes pegs are durable and weather resistant, but they can be flimsy, snap easily especially in the colder weather and sometimes struggle to hold heavier items.

Stainless steel clothes pegs are durable and strong, while wooden clothes pegs offer a traditional look and are much better for the environment.

Size

Clothes pegs are available in a range of sizes. Smaller clothes pegs struggle to hold heavier items like wet jeans, bed linen or winter coats. You’ll need to use more of them per item, which will give you less overall. Large and robust clothes pegs are suitable for heavier items.

Grip

If your garden is exposed to the elements, you’ll need clothes pegs with good grip. Those with a tough and sturdy spring can hold heavier items, but delicate garments can become damaged if your pegs grip too harshly. For silks, satins and delicate items of clothing, go for soft grip and gentle pegs.

Durability

Durability and weather resistance is important, as all too often the springs snap under a heavy weight, leaving your clothes a crumpled mess on the floor! Wooden clothes pegs are usually very strong but they’re rarely weather resistant. Ensure you read reviews before you make a purchase.

INVEST IN THE BEST WASHING LINE FOR YOUR FAMILY

Ensure you get a clothesline that matches your largest laundry load. A 9/10kg drum holds a lot of washing. If you use a washing line that is too small this will mean you have to do multiple, smaller loads; or overload your clothesline, which leads to longer drying times, potentially wrinkles and much more of your time.

PEG SHARING

Sharing pegs on the line might be quicker when hanging out and save line space, however, it’s not recommended to give your clothes the best chance to dry quickly. Give your laundry enough space between items to allow better airflow for drying and to avoid causing wrinkles. The more airflow the better. Lighter items, such as gym clothes, shirts and pillow cases dry much quicker than heavier items so they don’t need as much space between items. Hanging your clothes out on a sunny day even in winter will dry your clothes quicker so the spacing is not as much of an issue.

SHAKE BEFORE HANGING THEM

As soon as you take your washing out of your washing machine you must shake them and make sure nothing has got tangled. Sometimes when you grab your wet laundry you will find a pair of trousers that has a leg inside out or a shirt with one sleeve tangled inside itself. Pull it back into shape and give it a light shake. but be mindful that items can stretch when wet so be careful not to shake to hard.

HANGING ITEMS THE WRONG WAY UP

We all hate unsightly peg marks on shoulders and shirt hems, but which is better – hanging clothes upside-down or right-side-up? Hanging your items upside-down will mean you won’t stretch the shoulders/arms of shirts, or the waist of trousers. The best way for shirts is to hang them on the line with a coat hanger, as this reduces the chance of wrinkles and makes the so much easier to iron.

The old fashioned saying is

If you wear it on top hang it from the top

If you wear it on the bottom hang it from the bottom

But this rule doesn’t work for everything, sometimes you just need to make your own judgement call with laundry hacks.

The best way to hang sheets on the line is to hang your sheets over multiple lines to give them the best airflow for drying. This also works for heavy items, such as blankets and throws. Hanging heavy items over multiple lines will spread the weight so your clothesline stays taught for longer. If you only have one clothesline, try to hang your heavy items lengthways on the line so the weight is spread out as much as possible.

Check out some of my laundry favourites

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The best laundry hacks

Most of us don’t enjoy doing the laundry. Yet that pile just keeps on getting bigger and bigger.

But a few simple tips and tricks can make your life so much easier.

Keep socks paired in a mesh laundry bag.

Those mesh bags that we use for bras and delicates are also great at keeping small items from getting lost too. Most houses definitely have a sock monster. A top tip to get in the habit of is using a mesh bag for your socks, leave it next to or hanging in your laundry hamper and then as you take your socks off toss them in. When it is full add the mesh bag straight to the wash.

Zip your zips up

Not only can the zipper itself break or damage the drum in your machine, but the sharp metal teeth of the zipper can snag on fabric or lace and ruin your delicate items. To avoid this, be sure to zip up any clothing items with a zip before adding to your washing machine.

Keep white chalk in the laundry cupboard to treat grease stains.

Why I hear you asking, chalk is ultra – absorbent, you can rub a bit on any oily or grease stain as they happen and the chalk will absorb the grease and keep the stain from setting until you wash your garment.

For more stain tips check out my stain busting guide.

Decrease your clothes with ice cubes.

If you have a tumble dryer you can quickly “iron” your clothes with the ice cube tip. Just pop in the wrinkled items no more than 3 otherwise it won’t work into the dryer with an ice cube or two, on the warmest possible setting for 10 minutes, and let the ice cube create steam in the dryer to leave your clothes looking smooth. This is perfect tip for when you need something quick for a night out, let the steam do the work whilst you are getting ready.

Put your clothes in the freezer.

It won’t kill bacteria, but an overnight stay in the freezer will help to refresh your clothes and combat odours enough to, say, wear that pair of jeans one more time before washing them. Alternatively if it is freezing cold day pop them outside for a few hours, the frozen air will do the same and if the sun is out the sun will act as a natural disinfectant.

Ditch dryer sheets for woollen dryer balls.

Dryer sheets are great for fragrance but not a lot else so instead, go for a pack of woollen dryer balls they will keep the air moving, smooth out wrinkles and speeding up your drying time. Add 3 to a small load and 6 to a larger load.

Hand-wash your clothes in a salad spinner.

Those hand-wash-only items can be a pain to clean. But small items can be thrown into a salad spinner if you have one, add a bit of laundry detergent or Castile soap with water to give them a wash, this will be more powerful than hand-massaging but gentler than the washing machine. You can also use the spinner to dry them afterwards!

Use this tip for swimwear too.

Pre-soak your Sweaty sports clothes in vinegar.

For that foul-smelling load of gym clothes, soak your clothes in a half a cup of white vinegar mixed with cold water for at least an hour before washing. This will help remove unpleasant smells and break down sweat stains.

Prevent Colour Runs

If you’re not one to separate clothes by colours or have loads that are too small then try using a colour catcher. These magical little sheets lock dye in and you can actually see the colour has been absorbed when the wash is done. You can get reusable ones that last up-to 30 washes. But I still recommend trying to keep your whites together.

Shake your clothes to make them dry faster

To help clothes dry quicker, try shaking out some of the excess water before hanging or adding to the dryer. It will open up the fabric and make them dry faster with fewer wrinkles.

Or you can also speed up drying time by throwing a dry towel into a load of wet clothes for the first 15 minutes of the drying cycle. The towel will absorb a lot of the water.

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How often should you wash your garments

Just because you have worn something it does not mean it needs to go straight into the wash. When it comes to clothing, you shouldn’t gauge when to wash items by time at all, but instead by how many times you’ve worn them. Laundry is a time consuming chore so if we can cut back a few washes a week it will save us both time and money.

My following recommendations are meant as general guidelines rather than hard and fast rules. Remember, a sniff check is still a quick and easy way to determine when it’s time for a wash. And of course, common sense applies. For example if you have been at home all day then you know your items aren’t dirty but if you have been out sitting in public places, playing in the park with your children and using public transport then your clothing will most probably need washing.

Also Items will need washing more often during the sweltering summer months.

Don’t forget that you can also refresh your clothes rather than wash them, use a garment steamer to remove creases, kill germs and refresh or use a clothing fabric refresher spray to fragrance and freshen up.

After every wear

Tights, Knickers, pants, socks, shirts, camisoles, vest tops, blouses, leggings, swim suits and sportswear.

The commonality among the garments in this section is that they are close-fitting, which means they’re more likely to absorb your perspiration and body oils and will require frequent cleaning to bust bacteria and continue smelling fresh.

Every 2 to 3 wears

Dresses, trousers, skirts, jumpers, sweaters, jeans, trousers, PJ’s and bra’s

This is where you need to use your common sense and maybe your nose. If you’re wearing a camisole or vest top underneath your sweater, jumper or dress then you can probably get multiple uses. PJ’s will last you a few nights simply because you’re inactive while sleeping, but the other items on this list can actually wear out from over-washing. Washing a bra too often can damage its elasticity, which is crucial for proper support, and jeans will fade or wear thin in too many wash cycles.

More bra washing tips

Every week

Bathmats, pillow cases, sheets and duvet covers

Fortnightly

Dressing gowns, pillow protectors, mattress protectors, throws and blankets if being used regularly and door mats.

Once a month

Shower curtains and cushion covers

Every season

Pillows, duvets, outwear, hats, gloves and scarfs

Unless you’ve dropped food on your coat or stained it in some other way, you really don’t need to wash it very often. Same goes for winter accessories, although these items need to be washed a bit more frequently as they’re in closer contact with your skin so can more easily pick up body odours.

How to look after and clean your pillows

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Washing at lower temperatures

Recently I was asked to appear on BBC radio to discuss washing at lower temperatures.
The average family does 400 loads of laundry per year? That calculates out to 7.69 loads per week.
I always used to wash clothes at 60 and bedding at towels at 90 degrees but last year I made the switch.  Number one I didn’t have time for this being long cycles and number two my clothes just never looked quite right. When  I ironed them some tops just weren’t square!
Taking my washing down to 40 degrees and under has meant quicker cycles which is perfect when you have a busy life like mine.
With advances in washing machines and laundry detergents, it’s now possible to get clothes clean and fresh at lower temperatures. Modern detergents are designed to work just as well at low temperatures.
Using a washing liquid rather than a powder is better for stained clothes and is more effective on food, grease and oily stains. Some washing powders don’t dissolve well and can leave a residue on clothes. Liquid detergent can be doubled up as a stain pre-treater too.
From research taken I am certainly not the only one that has made the change.Washing at lower temperatures does save you money on your household bills and does use less energy which in turn is good for our planet.

Washing at lower temperatures will benefit you because………….

Your clothes will last longer
Your clothes will stay in shape and will not shrink
Less fibres will be lifted from your cloths
Your clothing will keep its colour better.
Everyday wear can certainly be washed at lower temperatures

But there are a few items I would continue to wash at 60 degrees………

Underwear
Socks
Bedding
Towels
Outerwear such as coats.
Don’t forget to look after your washing machine invest in some washing machine cleaner  which will eliminate nasty residue build up in the pipes and crevices of your washing machine and remove those nasty odours. 
B011414I0Q
Click here to get yours.
When washing save money and the environment by doing full loads, try not to do a load with just a few items. If you don’t need to do a daily load then do one every other day.
And also remember to give your denim a little extra care. Have you read my post, how to look after your jeans?

I hope you have enjoyed this post and as always thank you so much for reading. 

Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

 

This post does contain affiliate links 
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How to look after and clean pillows

Every night we put our heads on our pillows but do we actually ever thinking about cleaning them?

Here in the UK we have had the best summer on record for many years.  It has been really hot at night and our bedding has needed changing more often than usual.  But do you think to wash your pillows? I have covered mattress cleaning before so lets now talk pillows and give them a little TLC.

Here are a few ways to help keep your pillow clean and fresh

Always use good thick pillow protectors and wash these every time you change your bedding.

If you pillows are made from polyester then these can go into the washing machine on a low heat using your usual detergent although DON’T use fabric conditioner.  I would advise that you do a double rinse to get as much of the suds out as possible. For the second rinse you can also add a cap-ful of White Wine Vinegar which will help get rid of any nasty odours and those yellow patches.

Once washed tumble dry as you will want your pillows to be as dry as possible plus the heat from the tumble dryer will also aid in killing more germs.  Put them on a relatively low heat and add in a few tumble dryer balls. The tumble dryer balls will help them dry faster and keep them fluffy too.

If you want to give you pillows a quick freshen without washing just pop them in the tumble for 15 minutes as the heat will kill germs.

Foam pillows are not as easy to clean and require a little more attention.  If you do decide to give these a wash choose a warm breezy day as you need to relay on the weather as these pillows CAN NOT be tumble dried. As pillows are quite big wash them using your bath tub. Fill you bath tub a quarter full and add in your usual washing detergent and again DO NOT use Fabric conditioner but add in some White Wine Vinegar if you fill you need it.

Using a large sponge hand wash your pillow well. Give it a good scrub and focus on any sweat stains.  Once you are satisfied that your pillows are clean.  Change to clear product free water and rinse them thoroughly. You will probably need to repeat this process a few times.   Once you are happy don’t go squeezing your pillow to get all of the water out.  Cover in a large bath sheet and soak up as much as the water as possible.

For drying you need a clean flat surface outside and you will need to turn the pillow on a regular basis. So I do highly advise that on a day you decide to do this you are at home most of the day.

If this whole process seem a bit to much which if I am completely honest it’s not easy then look at investing in some new ones. There are some reasonably priced foam pillows that you can buy and if you are going to replace them a few times a year then you really don’t want to spend too much. These one I have linked here are great value. Foam Pillows

Don’t forget animal shelters will be grateful of your old pillows.

#queenofcleaneffect

As always thank you reading Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

This post contains affiliate links

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My Review of the HOTPOINT Ultima S-LINE RPD 9467 JGG Washing Machine

I am so lucky the lovely team at Hotpoint recently send me a new washing machine. The Ultima S-Line RPD 9467 JGG My washing machine was fine but it had been going strong for 6 years and had worked so hard with my constant overuse that a new one was definitely due. I really look after my washing machines and washing machine care is so important.  With the old machine I tended to do at least two washes a day, main reason being it only had a small drum and being a family of 5 and having a Hetty one load was just never enough.

I certainly did need a bigger drum and my new machine has a 9kg drum which has made a huge difference. I can get so much in and my normal load just looks lost. On a good day I now only need to do one load of washing, so that is only one lot of detergent and fabric conditioner daily and I am using less energy. This machine is a premium energy efficent device which comes with an A plus plus plus rating and ensures minimal consumption of power.

Its been so lovely seeing my new shiny machine in my utility room the appearance certainly does grab attention with its LCD screen and smart sleek design. I have now tested out every function and believe me there is a lot. This machine does everything.  This washing machine is super silent and my utility room no longer sounds like an aeroplane is taking off!

Some of the functions that have particularly impressed me are:

Anti Stain Cycle

This function saves the need for a prestain treatment. This worked on tested stains of red wine and coffee at 20 degrees!

Steam hygiene

This amazing function which has really impressed me allows you to wash your clothes at a low temperature and it will still eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria.

Woolmark

This is a really delicate function that is great for those beautiful woolen delicate tops that you may own this function cleans well and keep the siftness that can be sometimes lost when washing.

Plus there are a great selection of programmes to choose from.  Whats even better as you pull out the drawer for the detergent and fabric conditioner and there is a list of the programmes so you can never forget and it saves you from looking for the instruction manual. But one negative with the drawer is, it’s very difficult to remove and I do like to remove mine to clean it at least once a week as mould and mildew can build up in this area.

  • Cotton 40°
  • Cotton 60
  • Synthetics
  • Silk
  • Wool
  • Duvets
  • Delicates
  • Steam Refresh
  • Eco Cotton
  • Baby
  • Shirts
  • White
  • Woolmark

There is also a delay timer which I use to set so the cycle has finished just as I come downstairs in the morning, this was I can hang my washing out staright away nivce and early or pop it in the tumble drier.  For safety it has a child look and the digital display is very clear so no eye strainning.

I am certainly not a washing machine expert but I have found this machine really easy to use, its super quiet and looks good.

Price point is really good and its availble in many stores such as John Lewis and Tesco plus many online.

Look after you machine and it will continue to keep your laundry smelling good

I hope you found this review useful

Thanks for reading Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

This product was gifted and the opinons in this feature and my own

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How to look after your Jeans

Washing denim is one of those questions I get asked a lot.  Especially when they are new.  There are so many shades of denim these days and the chances are you choose a specific pair of jeans as you really like the colour and texture when out shopping. When washing jeans it’s so important to look after them if you want to keep them looking like new and to keep them long-lasting.

There very first wash

On their very first wash make sure you wash your jeans separately and use a laundry detergent designed to keep their colour safe and intact. The dye from jeans can transfer during the washing cycle and discolour other garments very easily. Choose a non bleached based detergent.

I use this product for my jeans it works really well and keeps them looking great.  Dylon Machine Dye Pods

Inside Out

Always wash jeans inside out and never wash them on a hot wash try to stick at a maximum of 30 degrees. Make sure you close the zips and fasten any buttons too.

Drying

Never tumble dry jeans the heat will damage the fibres and cause the colour to fad. Give them a good stretch and then air dry them on the washing line or on an inside clothes airer. In the winter months also avoid drying them on a radiator.

Spillages

If whilst wearing your jeans you cause a stain don’t try to get the stain out bu rubbing. Take them off and wash them. This way you won’t create a colour faded area.

Ironing

Iron jeans inside out and for the best results iron when they are slightly damp or use a spray bottle.

Freeze cleaning jeans

My Nan told me about this method and persoanlly its not something I would choose to do but I know some people don’t like to wash their jeans to much so this is just an alterantive method for you if your jeans need refreshing. Fold your jeans and put them in a sealed plastic bag, then put them in the freezer for 24 hours. Freeze cleaning doesn’t remove dirt or stains, but it does kill the germs that cause jeans to smell.

For more laundry advice take a look here

Thanks for reading 
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo

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How to stop birds from pooping on your washing

Birds love nothing more than pooping on your dry clean washing which causes nothing but stress and hassle for us. There is nothing worse than hanging out your clean fresh smelling washing and having birds poop all over it. My washing always smells so good too. Personally I really don’t want to touch bird poo and scrub it off. Bird poo is also very dangerous.  Histoplasmsis is a respiratory disease that can come from bird poo and it can be fatal. I found out about this when I filmed a County House episode for Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners. They wanted me to stay in a room where a lady had hung herself that was covered from top to bottom in bird poo!  As if I would-have stayed in there…….

My bird phobia is really bad, I struggle to walk down our local high street and the children often have to protect me by surrounding me and I do struggle to sit in the garden especially if no one else is at home. If I hear a bird flap or a tree rustle. I run straight inside with an almighty scream. No wonder my neighbours think I am mad!

So what can we do to stop birds for ruining our fresh clean washing. 

Some of my lovely social media followers sent me some amazing ideas so I thought I would share them with you.

Change the position of your clothes line.  If your clothes line is near a fence, wall or a tree where birds can land then move it away.

Hang old unwanted CD’s around the garden. The don’t like to see their reflection and if the CD’s click against each other random sound patterns will help keeps the birds away too.

I have heard today that birds are very scared of owls. So invest in some garden ornaments of Owls to scare them away. I am not sure I will be even able to cope with fake birds in my garden.  although I did find these ones that don’t look too bad. Garden Owls There are also these reflective hanging owls

Washing line protectors. Now this is a great idea and is also great for when its raining too.  I am definltley going to invest in one of these

Now I did already know this one, so why haven’t I brought some?  But hanging chimes are great for keeping them away. These twisting scare rods scare away all species of birds.  They also look great too. Click here for the chimes

Bird Tape. I had never heard of this and what a great idea. Bird Tape is an effective bird deterrent made of polypropylene tape, which emits a penetrating vibration that birds won’t go near.  I really love this idea and can’t wait to see how effective it is. Bird Tape

If like me you are struggleing with the Bird poop in your garden then I hope this ideas can help.

A massive thank you to my lovely followers who helped me put together these ideas.

Happy Washing
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxox

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How to clean Microfibre cloths

A few of my top tips

Always wash your Microfibre cloths between uses as they are really good at trapping dirt into the fibres and the dirt will not be released until you have washed them. Microfibre cloths can be washed over 100 times and they will last and perform well provided you look after them well.

Try using a colour code system with your Microfibre cloths as this can be a huge benefit and will stop cross contamination of dirt and bacteria around your home.

I do see people use the same cloth for a number of household tasks!

I follow this pattern which works well for me and my family but adapt a system that works for you.

  • Blue for loo
  • Yellow for mellow (light dusting)
  • Green for glass
  • Pink for sink
  • Grey for stainless steel
  • White for stain removal on carpets

Washing machine

There are a few rules of thumb you should follow if you use the washing machine to clean your cloths. For starters, you should never use powdered detergents, fabric softener or bleach for microfiber cloth cleaning, or should you wash your cloths on a hot cycle.

Try to wash them all together and not with other laundry as even the most miniscule lint particles can clog the fibers of your cloth, rendering it useless.

Save them up in a bucket until you have a full load.

Hand washing

Wash with warm soapy water add in some washing detergent or even washing up liquid. Leave to soak for about an hour and occasional stir with a wooden spoon and then rinse with cold running water.

Drying microfibre cloths

One of the great things about microfibre cloths and towels  is that they dry really quickly so all you really need to do is hang them up to air dry and they will be dry in no time. If you want to dry them in a tumble drier use a low heat as heat can damage and shrink microfibre cloths.

You may want to wash your Microfibre cloths cloths and towels before using them the first time to remove any stray fibres and you really don’t know where your cloths have been before they have entered your home

I do have my own range of microfibre cloths too!

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Keep your Laundry smelling great

Do you want your laundry to smell fresh and clean after every wash? Well I certainly do, I love nothing more than to give my clean dry fresh laundry a good old sniff.  There is something so satisfying  about fresh smelling clothes.

A good mix of laundry products will be key in keeping your washing smelling good but if your clothes are going into a dirty washing machine this will have an impact on your washing too.  It’s so important to take care of your washing machine if you want clean clothes and fresh smelling cloths.

A few simple tips from me will help you to keep your laundry smelling fresh again!

Don’t delay drying your washing

Don’t leave clean washing in the machine after the load has finished washing especially not overnight. Get it our straight away the nice warm, dark environment like a closed washing machine is where bacteria and mold will thrive causing washing to lose its fresh smell.

Damp clothes

Never put damp clothes and towels in the laundry basket. You may have been swimming and emptied your wet things straight into the washing basket. This is not a good move/  Instead come home and put these wet items in the washing machine straight away.  The same rule applies to wet and damp bathroom towels and face flannels.

Make sure items are really dry before you add them to you Ironing basket or put away

Thick towels and heavy clothing such as jeans take longer to dry these items may need a little longer on the washing line or in the tumble dryer.  Around the pockets on jeans can still be slightly damp so make sure this area is bone dry before transferring to the ironing.  A slight damp patch will cause bacteria to grow and again will take away that freshly washed smell.

Dry outside

I love seeing my washing drying outside on the line, for me its one of life’s real pleasures. Freshly aired cloths, towels and bedding is such a fabulous feeling.  The sun is also a bleaching an agent so any whites with stains will really benefit from hanging outside in the sun. Before I hang my washing I always wipe the line over with a kitchen towel or antibacterial wipe.  My pegs are soaked weekly in warm soapy water and are kept insure when not in use.

Choose the right products

I am a big fan of using washing detergent rather than powder or tablets I do find from experience that the detergent helps the washing to smell fresh for longer.  Use fabric conditioner wisely and never use too much as this can really clog up your machine as its such a thick liquid and can cause a build up of gunk. Work with different brands and combinations until you find a fresh smell that you and your family enjoy. Scent boosters are great as they are directly thrown into the drum of the machine and release smells directly on the washing.  Have you read my review of Scent Boosters?

Stains

Pre-treat stains by soaking garments in a mixture of water and white wine vinegar over night. There are plenty of other methods to remove stubborn stains and I always find natural is best Stain removal tips

Hot wash

If  you’re washing smelling football kits or sweaty gym clothes always opt for a hot wash

Tumble dry

The heat from tumble driers can climate the fresh smell of washing so always use tumble dryer sheets or make your own using my method of cut up square sponge cloths, soak them in fabric conditioner, store in a plastic sealed tub and then add one to your drier when you use.  I have tested a few tumble drier sheets and the Asda ones are really good and keep a long-lasting smell.

Look after your washing machine

Finally look after your washing machine. If you don’t clean your washing machine on a regular basis it will start to smell and it will not clean your clothes probably.

As always thank you for reading
Lynsey Queen of Clean xoxo