First, the Homemade Laundry Soap is working out fabulously. Now, although I have never been a Tide snob, I do have certain expectations for the cleanliness of my laundry and this soap passes the test. Which is fantastic...because it's Super cheap and easy to make. In fact, I'm making my second batch today.
We've been using vinegar as a natural deodorizer/fabric softener, as a supplement to the Homemade Laundry Soap , for "soiled" loads of laundry (thanks for the tip livingrichwithcoupons). It totally works. I highly recommend it. (Fresh smelling underwears and sheets makes for one happy mama).
Speaking of vinegar and laundry (I swear, do I ever have a chance to think about anything else?), today I wanted to share something new with you.
How To: Deodorize Your Washing Machine
Have you ever opened up the lid to your washer and almost passed out from the stench. I used to...all of the time. Then, one day, I couldn't take it anymore and went about looking for a way to remedy this problem, without spending a lot of $$ on those brand name (expensive) washing machine cleaners you can find at the store.
That's when I came upon some pretty interesting information (at ehow.com).
In 1999, Dr. Charles Gerba, a University of Arizona professor, conducted a study on the cleanliness of Americans' washing machines. After washing a sterile washcloth in 60 homes, he found evidence of fecal matter and E.coli in approximately 25 percent of the machines. Dr. Gerba theorizes that laundry has become less clean due to fewer Americans using bleach and hot water in addition to shorter washing and drying cycles. Deodorizing your washing machine should be a frequent task not only to eliminate odors, but to kill the bacteria and germs left behind when you finish a load of laundry.Nasty, yes? Luckily, following were some tips on how to clean out said odors/bacteria....which I got to, right away.
First step: Pick your cleaning agent.....distilled white vinegar or bleach.
To clean interior (rim, lid and dispensers) and exterior of your washing machine: Soak a cloth in equal parts distilled white vinegar (or bleach) and hot water. Wipe all surfaces thoroughly. **Don't forget the rubber seal (especially on a front loader)**. Allow surfaces to dry and resume normal use.
To clean the tub: Start a normal wash cycle and allow the tub to fill with HOT water. Once full, add one GALLON of distilled white vinegar (or 2 CUPS bleach) and allow machine to completely run through the cycle (washing, spinning, rinsing, draining).
WALLAH! Stench free and sparkling! For under $2.
Other tips/ideas:
*Leave the lid of your washer open in between loads to allow for drying/airing out.
* If you frequently wash in cold or warm water, consider adding at least one HOT water load to your weekly routine to prevent mold and mildew from forming.
*According to ConsumerReports.org, four common culprits cause odors most frequently in washing machines: using too much detergent, using fabric softener, washing clothes in cold water, and infrequent use. Modifying these habits may decrease the need to deodorize your machine as often.
Have a happy, stink free day, y'all! :)
