What Should Wet Washing Smell Like?

Why the traditional laundry detergent industry uses so much artificial fragrance

This may come as a surprise but wet laundry from the washing machine should not smell like a fragrant meadow. The traditional laundry detergent industry has indoctrinated us into thinking that fragrant equals clean. So, if we open the washing machine door and don’t immediately smell ‘clean’ clothes we panic.

Wet washing should just smell damp. And when it’s dry it should smell clean and lightly fragranced. So why are we told wet clothes should smell wonderful? And why do traditional laundry detergent manufacturers add large amounts of artificial fragrance to their products to achieve this?

Why does clean have a smell?

If you think about it, clean is just the opposite of dirty. Dirty things can smell of whatever it is that’s made them dirty, and germs and bacteria can create odours too. Clean things on their own should generally lack smell.

A house smells clean to us because we can smell the products that have been used and associate that with cleanliness. A car smells clean because of a scented air freshener. People smell clean because of the soap or shower gel they have used to wash with.

 

And clothes smell clean when they come out of the washing machine because of the artificial fragrances that have been added to the detergent that lingers on our clothes. And we’ve been taught this is natural and normal. It’s not.

Artificial fragrances will mask other odours

Traditional laundry detergents are not good for our clothes or environment. They are responsible for large amounts of plastic, emissions, and chemicals ending up in our soil, water, and food chain. The use of artificial fragrances can be harmful for us and the planet.

Modern washing machines are designed to clean clothes at lower temperatures and with less water. Traditional laundry detergents don’t always dissolve properly at lower temperatures or in cycles with less water. This means that residues build up as gunk in our washing machines. It’s the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria.

These germs and bacteria can lead to odours. And it’s a similar story with our clothes themselves. We tend to overuse laundry detergent, either by adding too much or because we use a ‘single dose’ pod or tablet that’s excessive for the volume of laundry and water we have. It can clog the pores of the fibres of the material and again lead to smells building up in our clothes.

So, to mask the odours, traditional laundry detergent manufacturers need to add plenty of fragrance. Melt laundry detergent strips only use a light, natural fragrance that you’ll smell when your clothes are dry, not wet. Because they dissolve fully, they don’t lead to any residue build up that can create smells. And not only do they contain no bulkers, plastics, or artificial chemicals, they’re small and light.

Artificial fragrances can be damaging to our health

Fragrances added to laundry detergents must be listed in the EU and the UK if they make up over 0.1% of the product. However, they need only be listed as ‘fragrance’, or ‘perfume’ not as the chemical. Known allergens are not listed separately. Datasheets must be available but are often difficult to find. And although medical professionals can request more detailed versions, they can’t pass them on. If they do, they can be fined or imprisoned.

VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are present in laundry detergents. Some can cause pollution and damage health. Fragrance is a VOC. It is, by design, intended to ‘pollute’ the air with smell. There are roughly 3,000 known fragrance ingredients. A report published in the Fragrance and Flavour Journal notes that:

“These ‘primary pollutants’ then further react with the air to form the ‘secondary pollutants’, such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Fragranced products have been reported to cause a range of adverse effects, including: migraines, breathing difficulties, and skin conditions”.

We really don’t need them on our clothes.

How to avoid strongly-fragranced laundry detergents

 

Make sure you use Melt laundry detergent strips. We only use a non-allergenic, light, natural fragrance. Your washing won’t smell of summery sea breezes when you open your washing machine door, but it shouldn’t. It will smell lovely when it’s dry though. And not because we’ve masked other odours.

You’re welcome.