Fluff and Fold

[BKROSS]

Any suggestions how to get rid of the clothes' odors which are probably caused from
sitting in the laundry basket tooooooooo long? I've washed the clothes twice and added
an abundance of Downy but they don't pass my
"clean as a daisy" smell-test.

[Howard]

You could try a pinesol type product, but they may smell to fresh. I heard others recommend using Febreeze, have never tried it myself.

[LEEHUSTON]

Odor of this type is caused by bacteria in the fibers of the fabric that is not being killed and removed. You are not getting the clothes clean. Downey is not the answer. Fabric softeners make things worse beacause they encapsulate the fibers and lock the odor in. If you get the fibers clean then Downey can be applied. For best results you need to be sure to:

1. Use a front load washer

2. Do not overload the machine to allow for good mechanical action.

3. Use hot water on the wash portion of the cycle.

4. Use a good detergent. Preferably a professional detergent that has a high surfactant and alkali content and low sudsing.

5. Use chlorine bleach if you can on the white articles. Bacteria does not survive chlorine bleach.

This should knock out mosty odors. Bacteria induced odors are really easy. Smoke induced and petroleum induced odors(ie gasoline, oil, etc.) are another matter.