Fabric conditioner

[Le Chat]

When I borrow or am given clothes by friends, they always smell gorgeous. Now, I use fabric conditioner in my wash, I actually use the new powerful black coloured stuff by lenor but the clothes never smell of anything! They do whilst drying on the maiden but afterwards, when they are dry, they are odourless. It can't be my washing machine, as it has always happened!
My question is:- How do I get clothes to smell all lovely and fabric softened?

[Ethel]

They do smell, it is just that you are accustomed to it. Your friends smell differently, that is why you notice it.

It is like plug in air fresheners - after a day or two you can't smell it, but your visitors can.

[LoftyLottie]

Very true Ethel. I can always smell other people's washing. I must say though that I cannot stand the smell of some detergents or softeners and prefer washing to smell of nothing - just clean.

[chazza]

I've started using the comfort creme fabric conditioners and the smell stays on the clothes (especially jeans I find) until the next wash! It definitely lasts longer than other conditioners

[ethanryan]

sometimes it depends what powder you use aswell, i normally use fairy but when i couldnt get it i had to buy a tesco one and the clothes smelt much different

[daffidazey]

I am using Surf tropical liquid and Comfort tropical softener at the moment and my clothes come in off the line smelling gorgeoous, and it lasts. I open the airing cupboard and the towels and bedding still smell gorgeous even though they have been in there a few days x

[Le Chat]

Now I hadn't considered the actual wash powder, as I just assumed that it is completely rinsed away before the softner is added. I think I'll try the surf tropical liquid anyway, thank you daffi and thanks to all who have responded so far!

[daffidazey]

Hope it makes your washing smell lovely! I'm not sure if it is the Surf or the Comfort or a combination of the both that makes my washing smell nice but it does smell lovely. I have to say, I normally use persil green liquid but Surf was on offer which is why I tried it x

[phylkat]

Could it be though not the conditioner, & not the washing powder/liquid but... the Ironing Water? I use Comfort Vaporesse. but there are others that smell fresh and gorgeous. This is what my laundry smells of. You can sink your nose in my towels & inhale the smell of a fresh spring day with a hint of Lilac in the air.
No Kidding. Try It. Let me Know.
pk

[Lakitu]

I don't put my fabric conditioner in until the machine is on it's last rince, about half an hour before the end of the cycle, I can smell the conditioner for ages after that.

[Panic Button]

Don't you realise Lakitu, that the machine only puts the conditioner into the drum on the last rinse anyway?

[Lakitu]

No, I didn't know that, if I put it in before and open the drawer to see, it isn't there, where does it go until then? :0/

[Ice.Maiden]

Panic's right Lakitu - the only time the conditioner sees the water and clothes, is on the final rinse.
Clothes that are dried on the line smell much better than those kept in td's, and the type of wash powder you use had an effect on the smell as well. x

[Panic Button]

Perhaps your machine is faulty.

Alernatively you are putting in so much that it starts the siphoning process too early and it goes in straight away.

[ChuckFickens]

it's not meant to take it until the last rinse, if it is then your water pressure is probably too high and you need to turn the water tap for the machine off a little to lower the pressure going into the machine.

[Lakitu]

Hmmm, well before my decision to put it in later, I would put it in straight right to the top of the little bit it goes in, but now when I put it in on the last rinse, I put in about a pint of it diluted with water.....

[Lakitu]

Now I'm just going to have to do a test on this!! I will keep opening the drawer and let you know when it takes it.


wondering if I've got too much time on my hands

[Ice.Maiden]

If you dilute it too much, then the effect won't really happen, will it? You'll find an indication of measure on each product, and what they suggest is usually the correct amount to add. For anyone who over-uses the stuff though, it can have an adverse effect on your clothes. They might smell nice, but I'm told that the fabric can become unduly softened, so that they don't last as long. Suppose it's personal preference really.

[Lakitu]

I swear I can smell it for ages afterwards LOL x

[firewatch]

i love the smell of sun-dried clothing.
however when i use conditioner, always the cheepeys, it seems to stay for ages and i love that smell. at the moment i am using tescos own brand, but i love morrisons bluebell one. There buttercup one will all ways remind me of our first flat, happy memories.
i all so love the smell of spray starch, and when i used to waitress the boss use to say to me 'hmmm, what perfume are you wearing?' I would reply' none it is spray starch'