5 Ways to Naturally Freshen and Soften Laundry

The washer is supposed to clean and freshen your clothes, not leave them smelling moldy! If you aren’t happy with the way your clothes smell after coming out of the dryer, something may be going wrong in the washing process.

Fortunately, we put this list together to help you kick bad laundry habits and start using other methods and products that will freshen and soften your clothes so they’re as good as new!

Read on to discover the top tips when it comes to soft, fresh-smelling laundry.

Air Out the Washer

Dark, damp environments tend to be perfect for common household non-living allergens to thrive. So a washer that is shut right after removing damp clothes has a huge chance of developing it. Between washes, keep the washer door open just a bit so it can air out fully without retaining moisture. 

You may think you’ll be able to see and stop this mess if it starts forming, but it grows in hidden cracks and crevices that are tough to reach. Whether you have a top or front-loading washer, keep the door open after use. You’ll thank yourself later for taking the extra precaution!

Avoid Overloading

Overloading is a common mistake that can keep clothes from getting washed properly, leaving them smelling not-so-fresh. Just because it can fit, doesn’t mean you should fit. Leave some room in your washer before a load so that your clothes have room to move around and get cleaned thoroughly.

Use Vinegar

Using vinegar in your laundry is a great way to rid it of unpleasant smells. Simply adding ¼ cup of vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser can freshen and soften clothes naturally. 

While it’s not recommended, sometimes we forget about our clothes in the washer and let them damply sit for a few hours. Vinegar can be a lifesaver in this situation—simply add a little vinegar and run a rinse cycle to freshen them up! Not to mention, it can even brighten white clothes so they look brand new again.

Use Naturally Scented Detergent

Most scented laundry detergents are full of toxic ingredients and other additives that can build up in your clothing. Fortunately, there are a few great brands out there that offer naturally scented and unscented detergent pacs. Cosy House Collection’s Fresh Scent Laundry Detergent Pacs are naturally scented with mild essential oils and botanical extracts. Unlike regular liquid detergent, these pacs are already measured so you won’t use too much or too little product, saving you money and cutting down on waste.

As an added benefit, the pods are made of 100% recycled plastic approved for the EPA’s Safer Choice program!

Try Dryer Balls

While dryer sheets are most commonly used in the drying process for softer clothing, they typically contain artificial fragrances that can cause respiratory, dermatological, and neurological irritation.* In addition, the buildup of dryer sheet residue can make cloth fibers less breathable. This is especially noticeable in towels, which can become less absorbent after several dries using dryer sheets. Luckily, there’s a healthier alternative—dryer balls!

Wool dryer balls are easy, safe, and residue-free. Additionally, they also move around throughout the clothing to speed up drying time while softening clothes.

We recommend Cosy House Collection’s All Natural Wool Dryer Balls for the best results. Sourced from humanely sheared New Zealand sheep, these unscented wool dryer balls are hand-felted. They are dye-free, chemical-free, and unscented - reducing wrinkling, static, tangling, and drying time by 30 percent. They last for up to 3 years (or 1,000 loads) and are a little bigger than a tennis ball in size (7.5 cms). Click here to order a pack of 3, 6, or 12!

As you can see, keeping your clothes smelling fresh is actually quite simple once you kick your old habits. While you’re waiting for your Cosy House Detergent Pacs and Dryer Balls to arrive, you can practice leaving your washer door open and running smaller loads in the meantime. Trust us—it will make a world of difference.

We've gone ahead & enclosed a 10% off coupon below for you to use if you'd like to take the plunge and try out our sheets for yourself! To shop our collection & get 10% OFF Use the code 'BLOG10' at checkout.