If your family is also encountering the situation where clothes still have an unpleasant odor even after washing, here are some methods to consider.

Washing clothes is one of the daily or weekly chores that every household must perform. After being washed, clothes should be cleaner and smell pleasant. However, in reality, some families report experiencing the situation where clothes still have a foul smell even after washing.

If your family is facing a similar situation, consider the following causes and solutions.

Clothes still smell bad after washing? The cause may be due to 3 simple factors.

1. Using fabric softener improperly
   Detergents, fabric softeners, and washing water were introduced to help protect clothes better, soften them, and add fragrance. Fabric softeners are usually added together with detergent during the washing cycle. However, many households may use too much fabric softener, adding it before the detergent or washing water.

This can cause the washing machine to be unable to process the excess fabric softener. The remaining fabric softener on the clothes after the wash cycle ends can unintentionally create unpleasant odors or musty smells.

Therefore, users need to balance the amount of fabric softener they add during the wash cycle. It's also essential to read the instructions on the fabric softener to know when it's the right time to use it.

2. Clothes not thoroughly dried
   Clothes that are washed and still have a foul odor can also be due to them not being dried completely. The odor often resembles a musty, damp smell.

To resolve this, the clothes should be hung out in direct sunlight to dry or put in a dryer. It's important not to leave damp clothes in a pile or mix them with other dry clothes, as this can spread the musty smell to other items.

There are now many products available that help improve the drying process after washing, such as anti-wrinkle balls and drying balls. These tools are environmentally friendly, reusable, and reduce drying time, especially in winter, making them a great choice for households.

3. Washing machine not cleaned
   The foul odor on freshly washed clothes could also come from the washing machine itself. Experts say that parts of the washing machine, especially the rubber door gasket, drum, and drainage system, can accumulate dirt and mildew, leading to unpleasant smells.

The rubber gasket, being exposed to detergent and water, is the most common source of buildup, with dust and grime from washing clothes collecting in the crevices. This can create a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, contributing to the bad smell.

The washing machine drum also accumulates detergent residue and dirt over time, which can cause musty odors. Finally, the drainage system, which is responsible for removing the dirty water, also needs to be regularly cleaned to avoid buildup of waste.

Experts recommend that users clean their washing machines regularly, at least once a month or every 2-3 months, to ensure that clothes are washed effectively and free from odors.

In addition to the three methods mentioned, experts also suggest washing sweaty clothes separately to prevent them from transferring unpleasant odors to other garments.