How to Keep Your Laundry Smelling Fresh: 12 Tricks That Work
Practical ways to make sure clothes and laundry areas stay fresh and clean-smelling.
- Clean Your Washer Regularly
- Use White Vinegar as a Fabric Softener
- Add Essential Oils to Dryer Balls
- Dry Clothes Immediately After Washing
- Store Laundry in Breathable Hampers
- Baking Soda in Laundry Loads
- Properly Dry Towels to Prevent Mustiness
- Use Fresh Eucalyptus or Lavender Sachets
- Clean Laundry Baskets Weekly
- Air Out Closets and Drawers
- Remove Damp Clothing Promptly
- Deodorizing Sprays for Fabrics
How to Keep Your Laundry Smelling Fresh: 12 Tricks That Actually Work
There’s nothing better than slipping into clean, crisp clothes or fresh bedding that smells amazing. But let’s be honest — sometimes laundry can come out smelling a little… off. Musty towels, stale closet odors, or clothes that somehow don’t smell clean even after a wash? We’ve all been there.
The good news? A few simple tweaks to your laundry routine and storage habits can make a huge difference. Here are 12 reliable, practical tips to keep your laundry and laundry area smelling fresh, naturally and consistently.
Clean Your Washer Regularly
Your washing machine might look clean, but soap scum, detergent residue, fabric softener, and bacteria can build up over time — leading to unpleasant odors that transfer to your clothes.
How to do it:
- Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum.
- Follow up with another hot cycle with ½ cup of baking soda.
- Wipe down the rubber seals, detergent tray, and drum with a vinegar-water mix.
How often:
Once a month for regular users, every 2 weeks for heavy loads.
Use White Vinegar as a Fabric Softener
Not only is white vinegar a natural fabric softener, but it also helps neutralize odors and dissolve detergent buildup.
How to use it:
Pour ½ cup of distilled white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser. Don’t worry — your clothes won’t smell like vinegar once dry.
Bonus: It also reduces static and keeps towels fluffy.
Add Essential Oils to Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are a reusable, eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets — and a perfect scent booster.
How to use:
Add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon) to each dryer ball. Let it dry for a few minutes, then toss into your dryer.
Pro tip:
Use 3-4 balls for faster drying and softer laundry.
Dry Clothes Immediately After Washing
Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine, even for an hour, creates a warm, damp environment for mildew and bacteria — resulting in that unpleasant musty smell.
Best practice:
Set a timer or reminder to transfer clothes to the dryer (or drying rack) as soon as the cycle finishes.
Store Laundry in Breathable Hampers
A tightly sealed laundry basket traps moisture and odors from dirty clothes, accelerating mildew growth.
What to use:
Opt for open-weave hampers, mesh bags, or baskets with ventilation holes. Line them with a washable fabric liner for easy cleaning.
Add Baking Soda to Laundry Load
Baking soda neutralizes odors, softens water, and boosts detergent performance.
How to use:
Add ½ cup of baking soda directly into the drum with your laundry for odor-fighting freshness.
Bonus: Safe for both whites and colors.
Properly Dry Towels to Prevent Mustiness
Damp towels left bunched up after a wash or shower can get musty quickly.
What to do:
- Shake towels out before putting them in the dryer for faster, even drying.
- Make sure towels are 100% dry before folding and storing.
- Avoid overloading the dryer when drying towels — they need space for air circulation.
Extra tip:
Occasionally, deep clean towels by washing them in hot water with 1 cup of vinegar and no detergent, followed by a baking soda rinse.
Use Fresh Eucalyptus or Lavender Sachets
Natural sachets can keep your drawers, closets, and linen cupboards smelling clean without artificial fragrances.
DIY tip:
Fill small cloth bags with dried lavender, eucalyptus leaves, or cedar chips and tuck them into storage areas.
Refresh:
Replace or refill every 2-3 months for consistent fragrance.
Clean Laundry Baskets Weekly
It’s easy to forget, but your laundry baskets collect dirt, sweat, and bacteria from dirty clothes.
How to clean:
Wipe down plastic baskets with a disinfectant spray or a vinegar-water solution. Fabric-lined baskets should be washed or vacuumed.
How often:
At least once a week.
Air Out Closets and Drawer
Stale, stagnant air can cause even freshly laundered clothes to absorb unwanted odors.
What to do:
- Open closet doors regularly.
- Use natural air purifiers like activated charcoal bags.
- Don’t overstuff drawers — give your clothes room to breathe.
Bonus: Add cedar blocks to deter moths and add a subtle, clean scent.
Remove Damp Clothing Promptly
Leaving wet gym clothes or damp swimwear in a bag or laundry basket is a recipe for mildew.
Best practice:
- Hang wet items to dry immediately if you can’t wash them right away.
- Use a mesh bag for gym clothes to let them breathe in your hamper.
Use Deodorizing Sprays for Fabrics
For items like curtains, upholstery, or rarely-worn jackets, a quick spritz of a fabric deodorizer can keep them smelling fresh between washes.
DIY recipe:
- Mix 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of vodka (acts as a natural deodorizer), and 10 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle.
Pro tip:
Test on a small fabric area first to check for staining or discoloration.
Fresh-smelling laundry isn’t just about how you wash — it’s about how you store, handle, and care for your clothes and linens between washes. With these simple, effective tips, you’ll never have to deal with musty towels or stale t-shirts again.
Would you like a printable version of this checklist or a quick-reference infographic? I can whip that up too if you’d like!
