Clothes Smell Somewhat like Detergent after wash

Oct 25, 2006
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I just moved into a new Apartment that has pay for Washers and Dryers. Willing to kill myself rather than pay an extra 1.50 to use the dryers, I've been hanging my clothes to dry.

However, I've started to realize that my clothes smell like detergent or something similar. While not offensive, It's not exactly pleasant. Is there some surefire way to stop this smell?
 

Farmer

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2003
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I use detergent to do laundry. This involves pouring detergent all over my clothes after I put it in the washing machine, at which point the washing machine spins and slathers detergent all over my clothes until my clothes are almost totally saturated with detergent and water. For whatever reason I can't even begin to understand, my clothes smell like detergent after this process!! Unfathomable how this is even possible!! OH NOOOEZZ!!!
 
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Oct 25, 2006
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Used the same amount of detergent as always before, except I always used the dryer. I assume that destroys the smell or something?

I already use very little detergent, half a cup for a heavy load.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
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i have no idea wtf the problem is.

clothes smelling like detergent = clean clothes
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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Used the same amount of detergent as always before, except I always used the dryer. I assume that destroys the smell or something?

I already use very little detergent, half a cup for a heavy load.

that's still probably too much. the markings on the cup for the stuff i use suggest about 1/4 of a cup
 
Oct 25, 2006
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that's still probably too much. the markings on the cup for the stuff i use suggest about 1/4 of a cup

Wonder if my Detergent is lying to me so that I run out faster. It suggests to use the top line for heavy loads, but I purposefully only go halfway.

The fact that I don't use much detergent at all, but the clothes still smell like detergent is what is making me think I'm doing it wrong.
 

Scotteq

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2008
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Wonder if my Detergent is lying to me so that I run out faster. It suggests to use the top line for heavy loads, but I purposefully only go halfway.

The fact that I don't use much detergent at all, but the clothes still smell like detergent is what is making me think I'm doing it wrong.



If you overload the washer, then it may not be rinsing well.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
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Does this fish smell like fish to you?
Why does this McDonald's ALWAYS smell like french fries?
Man, the stink of fried chicken is ALL OVER this KFC!
Why's it always smell like rotting garbage here at the city dump?
Etc...

One thought; you moved into a new place with washing machines you're not familiar with. Possibly, the machine you used isnt' rinsing properly, or at all and the detergent is not being rinsed out? Neither would your body dirt/order, BTW.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
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If you wash your clothes in detergent then they're probably going to smell like... detergent. :confused:

404 Problem Not Found
 

Farmer

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2003
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I like how this new wave of sarcastic responses to this turdbrain thread is totally ignorant of my original sarcastic response. :colbert:
 

Farmer

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2003
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Except the detergent smell shouldn't be able to be smelt from several feet away.

Your nose may be exceptionally sensitive to detergent smell. You should consider exploratory nasal surgery to find the root cause of the problem. A permanent solution to this problem is complete nasal amputation.
 

xanis

Lifer
Sep 11, 2005
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Except the detergent smell shouldn't be able to be smelt from several feet away.

Is there more than one washer? If so, try using another one... maybe the one you've been using isn't going through a full/thorough rinse cycle. Otherwise I'd try experimenting with some different detergents. I like Era.
 

MichaelD

Lifer
Jan 16, 2001
31,528
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I like how this new wave of sarcastic responses to this turdbrain thread is totally ignorant of my original sarcastic response. :colbert:

I really liked your sarcastic response. I find your ideas intriguing and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. :biggrin:
 

Murloc

Diamond Member
Jun 24, 2008
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I like the smell of detergent.
The dryer has no influence on that. Try another machine.
 
Oct 25, 2006
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If the washer is old or broken it may not be rinsing well either.

Considering the washers look like they were installed a decade ago, and has three buttons, hot, warm and cold option, I can see this happening.

8 Quarters per wash really pushes it.
 

sjwaste

Diamond Member
Aug 2, 2000
8,757
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This is ridiculous. Are you using scented laundry detergent? If so, it's supposed to make your clothes smell like it.

If you don't want that, get a dye/scent free detergent like All Free/Clear.

How do you not know this?
 
Oct 25, 2006
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This is ridiculous. Are you using scented laundry detergent? If so, it's supposed to make your clothes smell like it.

If you don't want that, get a dye/scent free detergent like All Free/Clear.

How do you not know this?

Because with the other washers, clothes didn't smell this bad even with the same detergent.

I'm putting the blame on the shitty old washing machines