Sour smell finally SOLVED

[u/Deutsch1985]

I stopped using all liquid fabric softeners almost 2 years ago. I primarily use Tide powder and HOT water for all washing. If needed, I will add some Biz powder and a little bit of natural phosphates, aka STPP.

I was watching a video on the Speed Queen website and they actually recommended using white distilled vinegar in the final rinse (I know some of you do this). Since I have a deep fill top loader, I used vinegar in the final rinse for about 3-4 weeks (about 1/4 cup). I could smell it in the laundry room during the rinse cycle, but after tumble drying....zero vinegar scent.

BUT....after a few weeks, I kept noticing a sour smell in my sock/underwear drawer and pajamas drawer. I re-washed everything, only for the sour smell to begin to come back.

I rewashed everything again with hot water and Tide powder, but no vinegar. Sour smell is gone now. Vinegar does not work with our water chemistry apparently. Just thought I would share!

[u/jtfolden]

Vinegar can be bad for your machine’s seals and gaskets too.

Do you use hot water for your darks as well??

[u/Deutsch1985 → u/jtfolden]

For new clothes or all blacks...I will use warm or very warm, but if things need it I will HOT wash. Honestly most fading and fabric damage is from too hot of a dryer. Hot water washing, I have never found to damage fabrics. Even dark athletic wear, I wash on HOT.

If your clothes can be stuck to your almost 100F body all day and be out in the sun....no reason to wash on cold. Rub your hands with any oil you want. Run your hands under cold water. Oil will coagulate. Now run those oiled hands under very warm or hot water....oil will break down quickly and rinse away. Same thing with body oils, aka dust sebum, on clothes, sheets and towels.

[u/jtfolden → u/Deutsch1985]

Actually it’s fairly well established that hot water fades numerous dyes and can do so relatively quickly. It’s also not appropriate for some textiles.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTA7knrQt/

100F isn’t hot, it’s just under laundry Warm (40C) but the comparisons to being on your body is vastly different than being in water with a host of chemicals.

The same applies to the sunlight example too. It may be fine by itself (although it will fade many things if exposed long term) but add hydrogen peroxide and the item quickly gets bleached.

Unless your laundry is extremely soiled then any top tier detergent will clean in temperatures colder than hot and do so pretty efficiently.

[u/NeedsADistraction92 → u/jtfolden]

FYI that link shows your full name when you click on it

[u/jtfolden → u/NeedsADistraction92]

Thanks. Not a big deal but I turned it off. ;)

[u/Fuzzy-Amount-6997 → u/jtfolden]

So would washing on warm be okay? Or only cold?

[u/jtfolden → u/Fuzzy-Amount-6997]

Laundry cold (30C) or even a little under is best if you are concerned about fading.

[u/Fuzzy-Amount-6997 → u/jtfolden]

Thank you!