Line-dry clothes have a slightly bad smell...?

Question

In the summer time, we hang all our clothes from a clothes-line on our patio, so we can save energy by not using the dryer. But we've noticed lately that our clothes have a slightly pungent smell. They just don't smell as good and clean as they do coming out of the dryer, even though we wash them the same. It's usually around 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit outside, but we think the heat of the dryer might kill bacteria that still lives from the air drying it. What do you think? Is it bacteria? Is there anything natural we can spray on our clothes to kill it, and make it smell better (please no air fresheners)? Thanks so much.

Answer 1

I put downy in my final rinse. My close smell like downy

Answer 2

From where I come from we line-dry our clothes all the time, and they do smell great. :) Maybe you could use some fabric conditioner or softener on your last rinse. Put them in the dryer for about a minute or two, without using any heat. (So they won't go dripping when hanging them dry) And it would be best if they are placed under direct sunlight if possible. Also, we usually let them dry out - minimum of 5hours at least. Make sure that when you remove your clothes, they are completely dry. It's definitely not bacteria that's causing the smell, it's just maybe not everything has been fully air-dried, and then they got mixed with the dry ones after wards. I hope you could resolve this one, thumbs up with your attempt in saving energy. :)

Answer 3

Some people just don't like the smell of cloths dryed outside.  The dryer doesn't kill extra bacteria.  You can use  fabric softner in your final rinse or you can throw your cloths is the dryer with a fabric softner sheet after there dry.  Just use the no heat setting.  10 min should do it and you can even wet the fabric sheet if you want.  That should really help.  Good Luck