Laundry pro reveals a £1.50 purchase that will remove ALL smoke after Bonfire Night
A LAUNDRY expert has revealed a simple £1.50 purchase that will help clear the smoke from your clothes this bonfire night.
Don’t forget, tomorrow is November 5 and many of us will be attending local bonfires and spectacular fireworks displays.
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Bonfire night is a fun occasion for the whole family, but smelly smoke can stick to clothes and often doesn’t come out with a normal wash.
Happy, Katy Roberts, washing machine expert at AO.comhas shared some simple tips to ensure that your clothes smell nice and fresh again.
Pretreat with baking soda
Before you put your clothes in the washing machine, it’s a good idea to sprinkle them with baking soda.
Katy explained that this is because the product is excellent at absorbing odors such as smoke.
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She said: “Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly onto your clothes, paying special attention to the areas that absorb the most smoke, such as armpits or sleeves.
“If you’re short on time, place your clothes in a plastic bag filled with baking soda and shake it back and forth, as the motion helps the mixture penetrate the fabric.
“Leave this for about half an hour and then put your clothes in the washing machine!”
Baking soda is super cheap and can be bought for about €1.50 in the supermarket.
Use the correct settings
Washing your clothes at a high temperature helps break down oils, so Katy recommended doing your wash at the highest temperature recommended for your fabric.
She added: “You can also make progress by using a longer wash cycle as this allows your washing machine to penetrate the fabric and remove the smoke smell.
“The extra time you spend on your clothes can do wonders and reduce the chance of having to do multiple washes.”
Air dry or tumble dry where possible
Drying your clothes outside will remove any odors as fresh air and sunlight naturally eliminate odors.
However, as the weather in November is cold and damp, a tumble dryer may be the best option.
Katy said: “The problem is the rain in November, and as we can’t guarantee the weather, using your tumble dryer is a viable alternative.
“The next time you load the dryer, throw in a dryer ball with a few drops of essential oil to give your clothes an extra kick of freshness.”
How to dry wet laundry indoors, in winter
Drying rack or drying rack
Fill your drying rack with wet laundry and place it near a heat source (such as a radiator or direct sunlight) to distribute the air around your clothes.
Dehumidifier
Connect a dehumidifier in a room where clothes are hanging so that they dry quickly and prevent moisture and mold. Many now have a laundry setting.
Tumble dryer
A tumble dryer can heat moisture from wet laundry, which saves time and can be used in all weather conditions.
Heated airer
Many brands and stores now sell heated airers for as little as £30. The racks are heated by electricity and can speed up drying time.
Open a window
Choose a spare room or unused room to keep your laundry and open a window but close the door behind you.
Use curtain poles
Hang wet laundry on radiators and then hook them on curtain rods with the radiators underneath. The heat will rise and dry the items. Alternatively, if you have a shower curtain rod, you can hang your clothes in the bathroom with a window open.
Leave clothes overnight
If your clothes still smell after the first wash, you can soak them in water and baking soda overnight.
Katy said: “Extra soaking in baking soda allows it to linger in the fabric and tackle even the toughest odors.
“Put your outfit back in the washing machine the next morning and watch your clothes come out better than ever.”
