Sweet smelling washing

I use Aerial powder and a tiny drop of Comfort (the baby one for sensitive skin), and line-drying outside as much as I can. I do like Persil too but cannot abide the scent of Lidl's Formil detergent- it actually makes me feel sick and I had to rewash everything I had used it on because it was so horrible.

You hang out washing? Blimey, you must live in posh places. If you hang out washing round here they'd pinch it, along with the washing line and all the pegs.

Slight diversion: I'm a great fan of Persil non-bio tablets but previously used capsules, like Ariel, and found that my washing sometimes ended up smeared with contents of sachet - has anyone else found that?

Ariel for me, the colour version for coloured clothes and the normal for whites, then just Comfort or Lenor to condition, we live in as very hard water area and the conditioner makes the laundry softer (as does hair conditioner when I wash my hair.) I dry clothes outside if possible, I use the tumble dryer in poor weather. My mother used Ariel from its introduction as she said it makes the clothes much cleaner than her previous washing powder, I have continued to use it all my married life as I also think it gives the best results.

Yrs, Devongirl, the sachets are not good, they don't seem to dissolve properly.

Yes, is the word!

jacalpad - I'm amazed that no one seems to have mentioned the Lavender & Jasmine version of Sainsbury's 2 in 1 Bio Laundry Gel. It leaves your washing smelling fresh and flowery for much longer than any other product.

And the strongest-smelling fabric softener is the Fuchsia Passion version of Comfort Intense.

And before everyone pounces on me for even suggesting such products, I do agree about washing that's been hung out to dry smelling best of all. But for much of the year that's not an option. Also, if you have a smoker in the house (two, until I gave up 4 years ago), it's a blessed relief to smell fragrant washing!

I was bothered about towels smelling a bit musty even though they were always dried outside on the line. I tried everything until someone introduced me to Dettol laundry cleanser. At first I poo pooed the idea as it seemed a bit prices and I am of a naturally stingy nature. However, I did buy a bottle and.... Wow! Lovely fresh smelling towels! I now use it for towels and underwear only. It's lovely, not perfumed like fabric softener which I hate but just lovely and fresh smelling.

I was using persil, and then another, but DH was getting the ichies no matter if bio or non-bio, so I switched to E-Cover (sp) and thought it would have no fragrance. Wrong... a lovely melon like smell, don't need to use a lot, and no more itchies! (Cleans well, too)

I've used Ariel liquid for over 40 years - it removes all stains, smells fresh and clean & doesn't affect my sensitive skin (even though it's biological). I don't use conditioner, just the liquid - and my washer never smells at all... Win-win

The best thing is to dry it outside and when you iron it - bliss!

nanny I'm going to try that - just haven't been able to get rid of that smell from my towels even though I wash them at the highest temp - thanks!

2.6 kg box of Aldi non-bio. Great value and washes just as well as much pricier brands. The only drawback is that the box is too big to fit in my under-sink cupboard. I don't hang bedlinen outdoors because I have pollen allergies and the pollens can be picked up and imported to my bedroom.

Would absolutely love to be able to say "Fresh Air Only" but unfortunately we live in an apartment without this facility available - bah!! envy

I use a washing "egg" or soap nuts most of the time which don't leave a strong smell on the washing. I have found in the past that powder was preferable to gels/tablets which can be overpowering and. make the washing machine smell a bit nasty.

Fairy Non-Bio for me or maybe Tesco Non-Bio, pods only. Don't use Fabric Conditioner at all. Wish I could hang my washing out but no room for a line, I have a washer/dryer as I only have a small kitchen.

I am also allergic to strong perfumes/scents so have to extra careful selecting products to use around the home.

No thanks to the smell of washing products

DD and I have started using Method Laundry Detergent (Orchard Fruit, Peony Blush or Wild Lavender). It leaves washing smelling really nice and it's eco-friendly. It's not cheap but currently on offer at Booths(half price) but they are in North West England mainly with one or two stores in Yorkshire.

I use any own-brand not tested on animals. Lots to choose from - Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose. Co-op, Morrisons, M & S...........

I never use softener now. Since 'wash at 30' was introduced I was concerned that even line dried laundry had a bit of a 'whiff' when ironed. I now use Dettol Laundry Cleanse (or Tesco if I'm going that way as it's cheaper). Kills the bacteria that can multiply when washing at low temps. Also use a washing machine cleaner monthly so laundry always smells fresh now whether it's line dried or tumbled.

Baby laundry products are the best.

I so agree wildswan!

I've just read a book called "The Case Against Fragrance" by Kate Grenville. It's very readable and well researched. I've always found that some perfumes in cleaning products are liable to give me a headache and this book explains why - to me anyway.

Washing fresh off the line smells like "sunshine" I think and I love to bury my face in clean clothes and inhale. My DH gives me a strange look when I do that ........

Oh Merlotgran - 'whiff of care home' ! Love it!

These people worriting about about putting totally unecessary perfume into washing powder. !!!
Get a life and save yourself money.

Just actually read the link about the toxic chemicals in "your lovely perfumed laundry."

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080723134438.htm