It’s Friday!
I’m linking up with my friends Erika, Andrea and Narci today and sharing my favorite things from the week.
As always…a random assortment plus…
…A HUGE GIVEAWAY!
Let’s get started!
So, as you know, Nordstrom partnered with me this last week so I could bring you not one but TWO giveaways for a total of FOUR winners! Yesterday, I announced the two winners from our $400 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway and right now, you can enter to win this last giveaway…two winners will each receive a $500 Nordstrom Gift Card! #holycow #thankyounordstrom #welovetheanniversarysale
First, we covered what the ladies might like from the sale.
Then we covered kids.
Yesterday, we covered beauty.
And today…men.
#cantleaveouttheboys
North Face Jacket/AG Jeans/Polo/Plaid Shirt/Cologne/Boots
I went through and picked out six of my faves from the Men’s Sale.
#1: A jacket
#2: A polo
#3: A pair of great jeans
#4: Boots
#5: Cologne
#6: A button down
#easypickings
And for grins, here are a few other things I love from the Men’s Department…
Just scroll and click!
Well, one of my favorites this week was thinking back to our weekend trip on Nantucket. #cantleaveoutavacation If you missed my recap, you can see it HERE. We heart you Nantucket!
I know it’s only July 29…but when I scroll through Pinterest, other pinners are telling me that it’s almost time for back to school. #theysaiditnotme I have a Back To School Board you can see right here…
…that’s a lot of happiness there :).
Question for you ladies…this isn’t a favorite but I’m hoping you’ll give me ideas that turn into a favorite. I need a good suggestion for a washing machine cleaner? I use the Tide cleaner about once a month and it works okay…but you know how those HE washers just get that funky mildew smell after a while? Well, I would like to try something besides the Tide (because it works well but makes my entire house smell like chlorine overload!). If you have any suggestions for cleaning out your washing machine, please comment and share!
Guess what? Guess what? Guess what? They restocked the BOBBI BROWN LIP TRIO IN NUDE that we talked about yesterday! Eeks! I’ll be surprised if it’s still in stock by the end of the day today…so don’t delay!
And tomorrow is one of my favorite holidays of the year…
…National Cheesecake Day :). Don’t you want to celebrate?! I have easy little cheesecake recipes for you HERE.
Happy Friday friends! I hope you have a great weekend!
Don’t forget to enter to win my $500 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway, click HERE.
Marybeth says
Hi Shay! Just a cup of plain old bleach run through a large cold water cycle once a month works well to clean my washer; the bleach smell doesn’t seem to last long. Thanks for your great blog! All the best, Marybeth
Samantha Barnett says
First, I’m a huge Elin Hilderbrand fan and believe I’ve read every novel. I’m almost finished with the newest. I’m super jealous of your trip to Nantucket. One day, I will go, but I enjoyed traveling with your pictures and details. 🙂
Now, washing machine cleaner. So simple. Put about 1/2 to a cup of plain old white distilled vinegar in each load. It is all natural, has antibacterial properties, doesn’t make your clothes smell like vinegar, and keeps the washer clean. I always leave the door open between washes, too. I’ve even left a load in for more than a day and don’t have to re-wash because the vinegar keeps the mildew away. Try it out and see how you like it.
Happy Friday!
Darcy Sexson says
Yes! Vinegar is great, but the real key is to always leave your lid open. 🙂
jennibell says
Yep, that’s the only thing that we’ve found that works. I know the “look” isn’t great (we close it, of course, if we know people will be coming over and walking by that room) but it saves on the mildew smell. . .
Katie Howard says
Since we got our washer 3 years ago I’m pretty religious about leaving the door open after a cycle for at least an hour so it properly dries out. We also have the affresh tablets because our washer came with an affresh cycle. However, we rarely have to use them because the drying out thing seems to keep any smell from forming! Good luck!
Lori says
This!! I leave the door open when we aren’t washing clothes and have never had a smell, even when I’m not religious about cleaning. Well, except when my mom left it closed for a couple days and it had that mildew smell when we opened it. Bleach and keeping the door open again cleared it right up. We were told to always leave the door open when we bought the washer and it has definitely been good advice.
Dustie Day says
Agree with the bleach! That’s actually the instructions we received with our top loader HE. Works great! Another great tip for towels….even though this is a little off topic. Sometimes our towels get that smell as well. So gross. Well1 cup of distilled vinegar, wash on hot cycle and then re-wash with detergent after that cycle. Completely removed the smell!
Carrie Anderson says
You can mix equal parts baking soda and water together and put that in the detergent container. Then pour about a cup of white vinegar into the drum and run your hottest (or clean) cycle.
Also, the rubber gasket needs wiped down as well to get any potential mildew and hair, dirt, etc that gets caught in there. The people that had our washer before us didn’t do this (they were neat, clean people I think they just didn’t know) and the first time I did it, it was pretty gross.
We also keep the door open to help keep any smell away.
Elizabeth Feldpausch says
We use the afffresh washing machine cleaner. After doing my daughters laundry for a while and a few of her blowouts our washer smelled so bad- I load of the afffresh tablet and it was like new! I also keep my washer open for at least two hours after doing a load to let it dry out to help it not get that mildew smell!
Erika Slaughter says
Happy Friday, Friend! National Cheesecake Day? I better make sure we celebrate!
Sarah says
We use the Affresh tablets, but I also find that running vinegar through the fabric softener compartment helps with the mildew smell.
Your photos from Nantucket were so fun! I’ve never considered a New England summer vacation (I’m in Ohio), but now I want to plan one!
Sheaffer says
Summer is slipping through my fingers! I want to soak up these last several weeks! Hopping over to read about that cheesecake because OMG.
Kathy H. says
Like Samantha said put I put the vinegar in with every load. It’s also a great fabric softener.
Candsis Slaughter says
hi love your blog! great ideas posted by other reviewers!! I am a local to your area. God Bless Texas! ???? Have 4 kids a hard working hubby and a farm so I do Tons of laundry. I have used the vinegar which works great but thats just an extra step & I am lazy. I also purchased a different FL washing machine thinking that it was the brand….LG …..that was causing it to only find that same musty smell. Liquid laundry soap seems to make this worse from I have read online. It leaves behind a film. Most of us mommas doing laundry use too much soap. To test this run a load with hot water and no clothes and see if you get any suds. I switched a couple of years ago to Charlies soap that I found on Amazon the powder formula. No affiliate here. You use just a tablespoon. I was very skeptic after being a Tide user for 10+ years. I did discover that my kids clothes have less fading with Charlies vs Tide. So now after a couple of years of switching to no liquid other the occasional Clorox Ultra Care bleach I have an odor free machine.
Melissa says
Candsis-
I love this comment! I just looked up Charlie’s on amazon. What do you think this detergent smells like? Tide is tops for me, because of the smell which I love so much. So, it seems it would be hard to give that up, but would be willing to try if Charlie’s is a better all-around product. Thoughts on this? Anyone else out there?! 🙂 Thanks!
Yolanda McLean says
Thanks for the suggestion! I just ordered Charlie’s Soap and can’t wait to give it a try.
Emily says
I didn’t know about the liquid detergent. Great feedback! I recently switched to soap nuts, also found on Amazon. I hated all the chemicals in Tide and wanted something more natural on my kids. I’ll be looking into Charlie’s though!
Kate Tobin says
Hello. I agree with the other reader. Use vinegar and leave the door open between uses. Have a great weekend. Btw I ordered the linen Lush shirt and love! 🙂
Narci Dreffs says
Those are some great picks for men!! I need to stock up for Rob asap!! Happy Friday, friend!! Xo
Emily Firko says
I also thought the Tide cleaner smelled way too strong! I found Oxi Clean washing machine cleaner at my local grocery store (my Target doesn’t carry it)….and it works great with no smell!! Give it a try : )
Elizabeth says
Shay, I agree with the comment(s) above above about leaving the washing machine door open to let it dry out. I’ve never noticed an odd smell so I’m assuming by letting it dry out, that does the trick!
Amber says
Definitely no liquid detergent- powder only. Also, one cup of vinegar in the fabric softener compartment gets rid of any and all mildew odors:)
Melissa Wilcox says
I don’t have an HE washer, but I do love all things Young Living. They carry a line called the “thieves”. They have a thieves cleaner that I bet would do a great job cleaning your washer or anything else you needed! It’s amazing!! Plus it smells like Christmas (cinnamon and cloves!). 🙂
Stacy DeAnda says
Vinegar a couple table spoons with a hot water cycle every few loads will help!
Kelly Bonner says
I agree with the cup of bleach & run it through a cycle. I also leaving my washing machine lid open when I’m not using it & that helps a ton! If you have a front loader it may be a bit harder, but maybe worth the try?
Kristine says
I had the smell when I first got a HE front loader. I was told to always leave the door ajar, only use powder detergent, and to pour a couple gallons of vinegar directly into the washer drum and run a cycle using hot water. Also, wipe under the rubber seal around the door it collects gunk and moisture. No issues anymore.
Brittany W. says
OK, so call me dumb, but I did not know that you had to remove the excess water from the front loading washing machines by opening the front portion to expose the hose, and drain that out to help remove the smell. We were at Best Buy looking at appliances recently, and an appliance salesman told us that. I felt so silly! He also told us that Affresh was the best cleaner out there, and to do it at least every other week. Since I started removing the excess water and using that washing machine cleaner, we really don’t have much smell! (Plus, I try to leave the door open to it as much as possible when I am not using it.)
Sharon Finnegan says
A cup of dishwasher liquid does the trick. This tip was given to me by a dishwasher repairman.
Becky Swenson says
Love your blog so much!
For our washer we have been keeping the door open and that seems to be doing the trick for now! So many people I know do the vinegar solution and it does help!
Kathrlryn says
I use powdered gain and wipe the seal occasionally and leave the door open as well.
Amy says
Love your blog! I use a cup of bleach and do a clean cycle, and then a cup of distilled white vinegar on the clean cycle, Works great!!
Laura G says
Since we bought a new washer earlier this year a friend of mine suggested adding vinegar to the bleach tray to help avoid smells. I don’t do it every load and usually add it to a load of towels. For now that seems to help. Be careful if you add dawn or anything like that as it can “remove” grease that keeps parts lubricated and void your warranty. We used to add a squirt of it when washing cloth diapers but were advised not to even though we were told it was ok.
Amanda says
I use bleach but the biggest tip I have is what has already been said: leave the door open after your last load and let it air out and dry. I’ve had my HE washer for 8 years and it has never gotten that smell because I’ve always done this.
Kelly Davis says
Love reading everyone else’s tips! I noticed my washer has been fresh, and credited leaving the door open , along with a post it note to remind my husband “DO NOT close door 😉 However, I also use vinegar instead of fabric softener, for my daughter who has eczema. It’s a great antibacterial and odor remover. Maybe it’s helping keep it fresh, too!
Jami says
Hi Shay!
We use the Affresh Tablets every few months, but I also leave the door open after a wash so it drys out well. That seems to keep the stink away! Praying for Ashby today!
Monica says
We keep the washer door open all the time and have never had the icky mildew smell!
Erin says
I use vinegar in my washing machine to clean it out! It also prevents the inside from rusting! Thanks for the giveaway, Shay! Happy Friday 🙂
Gina says
I use the tide packet, but until I started leaving the door open until it’s dry inside I had the same problem.
Angela Ellingson says
Hey Shay! I use affresh washing machine cleaning tabs and like them. Definitely no chlorine smell.
Britt Hensley says
We wash our washer with just a cup of bleach every month! Works like a charm!
Laurie S says
I leave the washing machine door open overnight – I have a front loader machine. I also leave the detergent slot/holder drawer open. My appliances are in the garage so it’s easy. Might be trickier for you as yours is in your office, and a top loader if I recall.
Amanda Coffman says
We use aquafresh tablets to clean our washer, they don’t have any smell. I buy them at Lowe’s.
Liz Hentges says
Hi, Shay! I just run a cup of bleach through mine on the tub cleaner cycle. I also leave the lid open at all times when not in use! I think it helps but ours definitely gets that funk too.
Ranisa says
I think I want to try the Affresh tablets after all the positives reviews- just to see what it is like. I happen to LOVE the smell of the tide washing machine cleaner. I wish it would smell like that with every load of laundry. I want to go clean my machine right now…..yes just for the smell.
Amanda Hertzler says
Here’s an easy solution to your washing machine woes: pour some white, distilled vinegar into every load of wash. If it’s a top-loader, you can pour about a half to a full cup right on the clothes before starting the cycle, if it’s a front-loader, you can pour it into the “bleach” receptacle.
You may think this is a strange solution, but I actually use vinegar (and it’s volcano-making pal: baking soda) for most of my household cleaning projects. I’m talking everything from wiping down the bathroom to eradicating the lost vegetables smell from my sink drain. You may smell the vinegar when your clothes are wet, but as soon as they dry you won’t smell it. In fact, it makes the smell of your detergent shine through even better. I found that it’s the only thing that can fully remove the stench from my workout clothes (I know that’s groady, but just keeping it real).
So anyway, maybe that’s not particularly the “washing machine cleaner” idea you asked for, but I use it in most of my laundry loads and my washing machine does not smell. Also, as a side not, I have also read that you will not have to worry about mildew if you keep your front-loader door open after your wash is removed so that it can dry out.
Tiffany Davis says
Hi shay!
As mentioned above baking soda and vinager works the best for me. I live in Texas and the humidity kills the HE washers. I actually bought a new washer due to the mold those front loaders form. I do it every week. I also use boarx in my loads to keep it fresh. And like someone mentioned above we use way to my detergent. I was talking with a repair guy and he stated they only a tablespoon is needed. But hey I still use to much according to him. And he also stated that liquid fabric softener is the worst for our washers!
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
Praying for you guys this morning. Lots of love, friend! xoxoxo
Marisa says
Hey. A friend of mine passed along a tip a few years ago to make the process of doing laundry (particularly the folding) more enjoyable. She told me that while I fold to pray for my children and my husband. thanks to God the healthy bodies your children have that fit in the shirts and pajamas, ask God help you love and savor every minute this stage in their growing, give paise to God for the little feet that go in the socks and ask God to walk with them during their days, tell God how much you appreciate the ability to buy the nice things your children enjoy wearing, that keep them warm and dry. Pray that their bodies stay healthy and that they respect and appreciate Gods beautiful design. Pray for children in other cities or countries that might not have the same luxuries our children do and ask God to keep us humble and aware of the needs of others. Pray for your husband, his health, and his role as husband, father spiritual leader of the family. I could go on, but it really has helped make the time constructive and find joy in a REALLY dull task. I hope this blesses you.
Brandy Hicks says
Pour about a cup of Borax in the washer drum and put it on tub wash, that will make the water get as hot as possible and it will clean the entire machine. Do this once a month. Also, for your largest load of clothes do not use more than 2 tablespoons of laundry soap.
Sara says
Just got both your cookbooks. LOVE!!!❤️❤️ My prayers with your precious china doll ????????????. Thank you for sharing your life and family with us. ????????
Jen says
On our washer I clean out that tray the detergent goes in and wipe down the inside, wipe down the gasket every time and leave the door open. Our washer also has a little spot on the bottom that we open up and drain. I drain it and clean it once a month. It is so nasty. My kids freak out and will not be anywhere near it. It is just old water and muck. But it is bad and for us if I do not clean that out is when we get the smell. I have never used vinegar or any cleaner and our washer stays clean smelling but for us it is that little trap door and cleaning that is key. Maybe yours has one of those? good luck.
Kimberly Jew says
To clean my washing machine, I add a cup of vinegar to my load of towels in addition to the detergent. It cleans the washer and your towels and there is zero vinegar or mildew smell when the load is done.
April says
Hey Shay!
We were told when we bought our machine to leave the lid open whenever it isn’t being used. Then it won’t hold the moisture in and create the mildew. It’s worked for us!
Tracie says
I recommend keeping the door open to dry it out. I also like to add 1/2 cup of Borax to my sheets, towels, and gym clothes. It really gets that funky smell out. It’s in a box on the detergent aisle.
Stacie Hoffman says
I tend to buy more natural products when I can. I have found that the “Lemi Shine” tablets work great. You pop one in every month! You can also pop them in your dishwasher as well to clean it monthly. You can get them at Lowe’s. No strong smell and uses more lemon power to clean it.
Michelle says
Good morning, Shay! These tips will help with your situation and anyone who is sensitive to fragrances or has itchy skin. We leave our detergent tray and washer door open most of the time. In every load, I fill the bleach compartment with white vinegar, so it constantly cleans out the route along which the mildew grows. The vinegar also has a fabric softening effect and gets rid of any odors in your laundry. No worries, the vinegar rinses clean and leaves behind no odor! We don’t use fabric softener, because even the free and clear ones really irritate my skin. Instead, we add a cup of Epsom salts to the drum (before loading the clothes), which has a great fabric softening effect. The Epsom salts soften hard water and they ensure that everything rinses clean and clear. Because of the Epsom salts, we use our liquid detergent with no lingering coating of soap in our machine. My recipe for irritant-free, odor-free, clean and fresh laundry is:
1. Arm & Hammer Free liquid detergent, just filled to the normal line in the tray.
2. White vinegar, filled to the max line in the bleach compartment of the tray.
3. Between 1/2 and 1 cup of Epsom salts in the drum, before clothes are added.
4. All free and clear oxi booster, measured to the minimal line in the cup, added to the drum with the Epsom salts, before clothes are added.
5. Nothing in the dryer, as the dryer sheets are rough on people with sensitive skin.
It seems to me that the keys to a fresh washing machine and calmer skin are the same : keep everything rinsed clear, don’t allow laundry products and fragrances to linger!
The washing machine cleaner, due to its powerful smell, gave me a ferocious migraine for 2 days and the odor permeated our whole house – from our washer in the garage. I highly recommend avoiding it.
While these tips don’t make laundry fun, they have removed much of the extra misery I’ve had with laundry!
Rachel says
Affresh tablets don’t have a noticeable smell. My washer is top loading, so maybe that helps. It also has a light that comes on to remind me to use the Affresh. My dryer is front loading and will get that mildew smell if I don’t leave the door open after I use it…but if my son sees it open, he steals the dryer balls!
Sandy Manning says
From my experience that tide cleaner should be sufficient but you can try affresh which is similar. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t say you absolutely must keep the door open. You might also check that there isn’t a sock or something under the big gasket inside the door.
Chelsea says
http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/How-Clean-Your-Front-Loading-Washing-Machine-30510521
Works great everytime!!!
Mary Coltrin says
Use the brand Affresh tablets. They don’t smell at all and they clean great. Also, leave the washing machine door open for awhile after you run a load. It dries it out and you don’t get that smell anymore.
Chrystianne Santos says
Hi Shay! I use and LOVE Glisten Washer Magic. It has great reviews on Amazon and great reviews on my end 😉 I also use their dishwasher cleaner, which works wonders as well. And like everyone else mentioned, always leave the door open in the washer so it air dries. Hope this helps!! 🙂
Ky Yarborough says
Hi Shay! The trick is to use a powdered laundry detergent. You can try all the other tips and tricks, but unless you switch to powder it is still going to happen. I researched this extensively before we bought our HE front-loaders two years ago. I have never used liquid detergent and have never had an issue with a mildew smell. Hope this helps!
Andrea Oster says
I love Nordstroms! Trying that cheesecake now 🙂
Audrey says
Cup of vinegar and run washer using hot water. Leave the door open so tub can fully dry. I do these faithfully and no more smell to washer or my clothes.
Karen says
I use a scoop of Oxiclean in every load
I crack the door after every use
I pull the tray out to clean it and air it out once a week ~ mold can build up on it
Afresh on occasion
Lindy says
Yes, the affresh tablets with a PURE cycle or the Tide cleaners work well. BUT, you ALSO need to be wiping under the rubber liner around your washer and the washer door after every few loads. Just with a paper towel. And leave the laundry detergent tray open as well as the door after each load !
Stacy Meek says
I’m not a hater but I hated my HE washer. I called Habitat for Humanity to come get it after 2 years. I was frustrated by the lack of water, the mildew, and the rewashing over and over again. We researched it an got on old school style Speed Queen. Water fills to the top, its fast, and it has an agitator. Our clothes are clean again! Then I heard Melanie Shankle got the same one. It’s old school, but does the job!
Mandy C says
Hey Shay! I leave my front loading washer open if I’m not running a load and about once a week run an empty load with vinegar and baking soda. I also wash all my towels with baking soda and vinegar and that has made all the difference. Once every few months I do a bleach was and run it a few times after. I believe you are also supposed to wipe down the rubbery plastic part that’s the door seal. (Technical terms). Good luck! Stinky washers are the worst ???? I’ve read your blog for years and God has used it to bring sunshine, joy and encouragement to my day!
Kelly McNellis says
I totally recommend leaving the door open for at least 1-2 hours after you are done washing for the day. Also, Affresh works wonders. My washing machine never smells, even with poopy kids clothes, dog towels and blankets, etc. Good luck! Love your blog, recipes, shopping tips, and thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us.
sarah altman says
Viengar and Thieves cleaner…works like a charm, the thieves smells good and no nasty chemicals!
Leigh says
We use Affresh in our washer – simple, easy and it works!!
Sarah K says
I do a dedicated towel load – only our towels, and I wash them with borax and baking soda in addition to my free and clear Tide – about every other time, and I really think that, along with never shutting the lid, is what keeps my Samsung HE front loader super clean. The borax and baking soda are a good laundry booster.
Katie says
I use OxiClean directly in my front loader drum in addition to only using powdered detergent.
Ashley says
I clean my washer (and the rest of my house and life) with Thieves Household Cleaner from Young Living. It’s non-toxic, chemical free, cleans amazing, and smells like Christmas. ❤️
Katie K. says
We never had a smell issue before…. But then a load of kitchen towels sat in there before they were washed for a little too long….. Yuck!
We couldn’t get the stink out, and used the Affresh tablets… Worked like a charm!
Elise Welch says
To clean our washing machine, my mom puts distilled white vinegar in the bleach compartment every time she washes something, along with the detergent. It helps keep it clean (and you don’t smell the vinegar in your clothes). You also can add essential oils to the vinegar if you want! Also this is random but I remember you saying that you and your kids listened to Taylor Swift and wanted to suggest Tori Kelly. Her music is fun and totally appropriate. Her voice is amazing!
Paige B says
I run a load every once in a while (6 months) with detergent (7th Generation) & 2 Cascade pods. Also, I leave my door on my washing machine open at ALL times. I never have to use another cleaning method & my washer doesn’t smell at all. I think leaving the door open is the key. I also wash my white towels once a month with vinegar & detergent. Hope this helps!
Kati Matthews says
Okay, a few things… this is my first year of really paying any attention to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale thing… and whoa! It is another world! It leaves me excited, anxious, happy, and sad (because everything sells out so dang fast!). Next, Bobbi Brown… oh girl. I put my big girl panties on and went from drug store cosmetics over to Bobbi Brown for a new eye brow pencil and mascara… my world will never be the same. The price gets me but the QUALITY is amazeballs. And then you went and topped off your post with National Cheesecake Day. I mean, goodness. Thank you.
Felicia Nguyen says
I use white vinegar…once a week I pour 1 cup vinegar into my detergent section and run it through the clean cycle..but after every wash I have this rag towel that I make one quick clean of the rubber by the door and I wipe down the door the I leave the door and the detergent dispense door open ..I love the look of my HE front loader but never again. Lol
Michelle says
Leaving the washer lid open is really the only way to prevent the mildew smell unfortunately! It doesn’t look very pretty that way, but I do it to avoid the smell!
Krista says
Switching to powdered detergent completely eliminated the stinky problems I was having with my front loading HE machine! Such a simple change made such a big improvement… Good luck!