A budget-friendly laundry hack using a £1.50 product from Tesco and Amazon can keep clothes and towels smelling fresh for up to a week, according to a shopper's tip.
Simple Addition to the Wash
Nicola Roy, a multimedia content creator for Reach, discovered that Dr Beckmann fabric conditioner sheets, costing £1.50 at Tesco (with Clubcard) or Amazon, deliver long-lasting freshness. She explains, "I am unfortunately not lucky enough to live in a house with a tumble dryer, so it's very important to use the right products if that stale laundry smell is to be avoided." After years of indoor drying, she found that these sheets outperformed other products.
The method is straightforward: place one sheet directly into the washing machine drum with regular detergent, skipping liquid fabric conditioner. The sheet dissolves during the cycle, leaving no sticky residue.
Results and Benefits
Roy reports that the scent lingers for a week or longer, especially on towels, and fills the home with fragrance during drying. She adds, "Since trying them out, I've been so impressed with how good each load has ended up smelling, and they couldn't be any easier to use." After several washes, she hopes the sheets may also soften towels; otherwise, white vinegar is an alternative.
Additional Laundry Tips
In related advice, households are urged to use mouthwash in washing machines for hygiene. Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic and General, recommends a maintenance wash every three months: pour half a cup of alcohol-based mouthwash into the drum or detergent drawer and run an empty hot cycle. This kills bacteria, sanitises the drum, and removes odours. He notes, "Your washing machine should be deeply cleaned every one to three months to prevent bacteria, mould, and detergent build-up." For monthly maintenance, use a dedicated cleaner or alternatives like white vinegar or baking soda. Mouthwash can also disinfect laundry with stubborn odours, such as activewear and socks.
