Take care of clothes with Lord extra long-lasting fragrance, regardless of the weather

When the weather is damp and there is no sun, bacteria multiply in clothes in that damp, dirty environment. That is what makes clothes smell unpleasant on rainy days. So you need to clean your washing machine regularly to stop bacteria building up. On wet days, open the machine door for a few minutes before washing to let the musty smell clear, and only then start the wash.
Do not let dirty clothes pile up for days; wash them as soon as you can, because the cleaner the clothes the fewer bacteria cling to them. If clothes are very dirty, soak them first to draw out the soiling so they wash clean more quickly.

To keep unpleasant odours out of your clothes, here are some tips worth trying.

1. Scented paper

Spraying perfume directly onto clothes does hold the fragrance, but overdo it and the scent becomes overpowering. Instead, spray perfume onto a few tissues or cotton pads, let them dry, then simply put them in a drawer and lay your clothes on top. Stored together, your clothes gradually absorb the perfume without becoming overpowering.

2. Air fresheners

If the hanging air freshener in your car has lost its scent, putting it in an enclosed space (such as a wardrobe) lets the remaining fragrance work its way into the clothes inside. Hang it at the back of the wardrobe or tuck it into the bottom of a drawer to keep clothes fresh without becoming overpowering.

3. Used coffee grounds

Used coffee grounds not only absorb damp but also give off a rather pleasant smell. So to keep your wardrobe fresh, use a container of coffee grounds, pierce a few holes in the lid and put it in a corner of the wardrobe. Just change the grounds at least once a month to keep your clothes smelling good.

4. Vodka

If your clothes are getting on in years, or you have a lot of woollens to store, vodka is the saviour that clears away damp and mould. Mix it 1:1 with water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture lightly over any area that smells, then hang the clothes somewhere airy. To be safe, test the vodka mixture before using it on your whole wardrobe.

5. Essential oils

If you want your washing to smell better during the wash, try adding 10–20 drops of essential oil (lavender oil is a wonderful scent for laundry) at the final wash stage. Another option is to add a few drops of essential oil to a clean piece of cloth or a towel and put it in the dryer with your clothes. That gently perfumes all the washing as it dries. Finally, try mixing your own essential oil solution to spray lightly onto any garment that needs a little fragrance.

6. Herb sachets

Tucking a small herb sachet into a corner of the wardrobe or a drawer also helps keep clothes fragrant. Try wrapping a few spoonfuls of dried lavender or lemongrass in a small bag or in tissue paper. You can even hide them in the pocket of a pair of trousers or a jacket to keep the scent on what you wear for longer.

7. Fabric softener

Many people also rely on fabric softener to keep clothes fragrant. With softener your clothes smell better, feel softer and keep their colour like new. Do note, though, that you should dilute the softener so the fragrance stays gentle and does not irritate the sense of smell.

Lord Desire fabric softener, made with 100% lavender oil 

It is better to use fabric softener in a single rinse so that clothes come out fragrant and free of detergent right at the first rinse.

8. Dry your washing somewhere airy

It is best to wash clothes early in the morning so they have the day to dry. There is also less rain in the morning, so clothes dry faster and do not end up damp and smelling.

Do not hang washing overnight, as humidity rises at night. Even under cover, clothes still pick up an unpleasant smell and can lead to skin problems such as fungal infections and ringworm.

9. Lord Extra laundry liquid — a lasting fragrance whatever the weather

Lord Extra laundry liquid uses a breakthrough formula of scent capsules that soak deep into every fibre, so clothes hold their fragrance even when tumble-dried or in damp weather. 

Lord Extra leaves clothes naturally clean and white with bright fragrance notes, while the fibres become softer and more colourfast. It makes the housework and the laundry lighter than ever.

Lord Extra laundry liquid, made for front-load washing machines

Outstanding features:

• Lord Extra laundry liquid, with a clinging, sweet, refined and alluring perfume scent
• Lord Extra laundry liquid lifts every stubborn stain better, in a single wash
• Keeps clothes clean and protects their colour
• Soft, light foam that soaks in easily to clean the fibres
• Lord Extra laundry liquid is mild and safe on the hands
• Lord Extra laundry liquid is made for front-load washing machines

A few more tips for keeping clothes fragrant

Note that whether you wash by hand or by machine, the washing needs to soak in softener for 10–15 minutes so the fragrance settles deep into every fibre. That keeps your family's clothes fragrant for longer and avoids the musty, unpleasant smells caused by the bacteria that thrive in the rainy season.

Keep a spot indoors in reserve for drying clothes in case of rain. If you have to dry clothes in the kitchen they easily pick up food smells, and in a damp bathroom they dry poorly — they may even end up damper and smelling unpleasant.

A trick for drying clothes faster

It is very simple: after washing, dip the clothes in water at around 50 degrees, wring them out and hang them straight away. Hot water evaporates faster, which shortens drying time. That said, do not do this often, as the heat can reduce the quality of the fabric.

Points to note when storing clothes

Points to note when storing clothes

After washing and drying, check that everything is completely dry before folding it away, because a single thin shirt still damp is enough to leave your whole wardrobe smelling musty. For out-of-season clothes that need storing, put the clothes and bedding into large plastic bags with a few moisture absorbers to limit damp and mould.

>>See also: Lord Passion fabric softener — soft fabric, wonderful fragrance.