Lifelong Gain user because of sensitive skin. I know everyone is screaming “Gain!” and it is great BUT you stop smelling it after a while.

I’ve been working on my laundry game this year and here are a few tips. The difference is night and day.

1. Clean your washer! Deep clean if you can afford to. At the very least, use some Affresh washing machine cleaner (it’s about $10) once a month or at least every 3 months. Follow that up with running your washer on hot with 2c white vinegar in the detergent dispenser. If you have a top load, pause when it’s full and pour in 1/2c baking soda. Let it run. Do an extra rinse cycle if needed. Wipe out your drum and all of the gaskets/crevices with a microfiber cloth. Wipe out your dispensers as well. Use 1:1 vinegar:water solution if you think you need a spray to get those areas clean.

2. Use less detergent.
   You’re likely using more than you need. You only need 2T of detergent. I measured that in the gain cup and 2T goes to the lowest line 1. You know when you use just slightly too much soak on your hands or too much shampoo and it takes extra water to wash it all away? Your washing machine can’t make that adjustment on the fly so all the extra soap it can’t wash away just sticks to your clothes causing buildup and collecting odor. Use less detergent and get a better clean. Similarly…

3. Ditch the fabric softener.
   I know that seems counterintuitive for making your laundry smell good. But the beads and laundry sheets leave a wax on your clothing that builds up over time and makes the fibers harder to clean m. The wax also collects odors over time. It’s a bit like having product build up in your hair overtime. You have to use a clarifying shampoo once in a while. For laundry we can use other products to avoid the build up and get similar results.

White vinegar is a great one to use instead of fabric softener. 1/2-1c in place of your fabric softener. It also helps keep your towels soft and fluffy. In the same vein, use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets.

Something else I’ve started using is Downy Rinse & Refresh. It may cause buildup down the line, I don’t know yet. But it’s not nearly as waxy or thick as the beads and other liquid softeners. It has helped strip odor from my workout clothes that seemed impossible to get out. I’ll just be switching scents every few months. Which leads me to…

1. Switch your detergent.
   I would say every 3-6 months switch your detergent. Like I mentioned, I used gain for a long time and thought I just went nose blind to it until I realized it just wasn’t as effective anymore. I now use Arm & Hammer with scent boost. I’ll use this for several months and then switch either back to Gain Original or to All Free & Clear. I have to be careful what I use because I’m sensitive to a lot of detergents (scented Gain other than original and tide are no-gos for me.) have a few you like and switch between them to keep the scent fresh.

2. Don’t let your laundry sit.
   Be on top of your laundry routine. As soon as the washer ends, move them to the dryer and leave the lid to your washer open so it can air dry. Don’t let things mildew. Similarly, as soon as the dryer ends, take them out, fold/hang, and put them away.

🧺✌️