Keep clothes smelling ‘fresh and fragrant’ for longer using simple £1 washing items

There is nothing better than doing a batch of laundry and having clothes smell incredibly fresh, and you can make them smell fragrant for much longer. 

Rita Patra, a clothes expert from Patra Selections, a London-based clothing store, has shared how you can keep clothes smelling their best for much longer, using a few cheap “creative solutions”. 

On the Patra website, Rita said: “Ah, freshly-laundered clothes still smelling of sunshine! Who wouldn’t want that fresh smell to last longer?

“There are a few reasons that clothes don’t remain smelling clean; the quantity and quality of detergent you’re using, the humidity inside homes and even the washing machine.” 

To keep laundry “fresh and fragrant” much longer, you will only need items you probably already have in your home or can be bought for less than £1.

READ MORE: Top tips to air dry clothes much faster in winter without a tumble dryer

How to make clothes smell fresher for longer

Soap 

Place a wrapped bat of soap in your drawers next to your clothes, and they will stay smelling fresh for a long time. One woman claims that this trick can even last up to 15 to 20 years.

Rita said: “Wrapping thin fabric around a scented soap and leaving it inside a drawer or your wardrobe, releases a wonderful aroma. 

“You don’t need to be afraid that it might stain your clothes; thanks to the thin fabric, only the fragrance will disperse. After a while, you can take it out and replace it with another one.”

Make sure the soap is a simple-scented flavour and not overwhelming, and make sure the soap is wrapped in fabric or paper rather than plastic.  

Coffee grounds

Pouring ground coffee beans into a sachet will help clothes smell better for a long time as coffee can absorb odours.

Rita wrote: “Simply put some coffee grounds in a jar and secure a thin fabric on top of it with elastic. Then cut some holes in the fabric and leave the jar inside your wardrobe. 

“That’s it, job done! Your clothes will stay smelling clean for longer. Replace the coffee grounds every month so that everything stays fresh.”

You can even put a small bowl or plate of coffee beans in a room to help deodorise it and have a pleasant aroma of coffee in your home. 

Vinegar

White vinegar is a very versatile ingredient when it comes to laundry, as not only can it clean your clothes and take out stains, but it can also help keep clothes fresh. 

Rita explained: “Vinegar is another superhero in our homes. Just mix equal parts of vinegar and water and pour it into a spray bottle. 

“Then spray it onto your garments or wardrobe and drawers and let it dry. Don’t worry about the smell of vinegar! It will go away as it dries.”

Make sure to turn clothes inside out before trying out this method and spraying them to ensure they do not get stained. 

Baking Soda

Like coffee, baking soda can absorb odours or other unpleasant smells, making it a simple yet natural way to keep clothes fresh.  

Rita said: “Just put two to three tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into a container in a safe place in your wardrobe. Over time, the bicarbonate of soda will absorb any unwanted smells, all you have to do is replace it every month or so. 

“Next time you are adding bicarbonate of soda to your shopping basket, remember you can use it for your clothes as well!”