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Using Scent Free Clothes Detergent

sad_story

Active Member
Joined
Oct 17, 2018
Messages
137
I am curious about thoughts and practices about using scent free soap.

Not having a "dedicated" washing machine/dryer. I store my hunting clothes on the bilko steps to the basement and they have a a humid/musty smell (which may or may not be advantageous.

When using scent free soaps, what is the potential of residual soap(s), laundry sent(s) contaminating hunting clothes when washing them? Drying them (with the scent free dyer-sheets)?

Do people gain comfort by washing a few purging loads of other laundry (i.e. towels etc) with the scent free detergent? What about the dryer?

Is using a non-dedicated washer/dryer just not an option and you hand wash?

I look forward to your thought and sugggestions
 
I used to worry about it, I would run an empty wash and rinse cycle before washing my clothes. Would do the same with the dryer. I don't do anymore though. I haven't for years and I really haven't noticed any difference or negative effects. I do still use all the scent killers detergent as well as the fall blend dryer sheets. I store all my washed garments in in scent safe bags or totes.
 
I am an "all of the above" guy.
I pay close attention to minimizing odors and I also play close attention to wind patterns.
That being said, I'm more and more suspecting that non organic human odors (perfumes chemicals food etc) are not alarming to deer in all but the most remote areas. Deer encounter all sorts of odors from non threatening sources. If laundry perfumes alarmed them they would be in a constant state of panic because those odors are present 24/7 in most areas.
I still prefer unscented products and I do not use any of the "free and clear" commercial detergents for my outer layers because those all have uv brighteners in them. Use Sport Wash or other hunting type detergents.
 
First, I'm not going to tell my wife, oh I can't sleep with you for the next three months cause i want to be scent free so i can shoot a deer, that would be bad for a dear.
Second, I'm not going to get up at 0300 to take a scent free shower, it's too cold and don't need to wake her up for that.
Third, My wife does the laundry, I'm not going to tell her how to do because I might inherit that job.
Forth, Is a deer really worth all the trouble we go through. Just hunt with the wind and enjoy the outdoors, you may get lucky, if you do the above you may not get so lucky.
 
First, I'm not going to tell my wife, oh I can't sleep with you for the next three months cause i want to be scent free so i can shoot a deer, that would be bad for a dear.
Second, I'm not going to get up at 0300 to take a scent free shower, it's too cold and don't need to wake her up for that.
Third, My wife does the laundry, I'm not going to tell her how to do because I might inherit that job.
Forth, Is a deer really worth all the trouble we go through. Just hunt with the wind and enjoy the outdoors, you may get lucky, if you do the above you may not get so lucky.

I have the same mentality. Before kids I was particular about hunting clothes being washed separate and scent free. Now Im happy to smell like a summer’s breeze. That means the wife was able to wash my clothes between the kids laundry piles.
I’ve been more critical over the wind direction and have been much more successful.


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I would say I’m moderately cautious about what I wash my hunting gear in. I use scent free detergent and hang it out to air then store it in lid latching totes. I try not to use the dryer at all and prefer to air dry everything (I live in a more rural area). However, my primary focus is on wind and thermals. We have very squirrelly winds where I hunt and I also hunt pretty aggressive terrain so although I do pay attention and try to hunt the best winds, if it shifts I’m probably staying for the duration anyway.
 
I would say I’m moderately cautious about what I wash my hunting gear in. I use scent free detergent and hang it out to air then store it in lid latching totes. I try not to use the dryer at all and prefer to air dry everything (I live in a more rural area). However, my primary focus is on wind and thermals. We have very squirrelly winds where I hunt and I also hunt pretty aggressive terrain so although I do pay attention and try to hunt the best winds, if it shifts I’m probably staying for the duration anyway.

@woodsdog2 do you use the machine or hand wash?
 
Machine wash my clothes but hand wash my other gear in a clean five gallon pail with Atsko soap. Again, hang to dry. I do a load of towels with scent free soap before my hair bring clothes.
 
I am curious about thoughts and practices about using scent free soap.

Not having a "dedicated" washing machine/dryer. I store my hunting clothes on the bilko steps to the basement and they have a a humid/musty smell (which may or may not be advantageous.

When using scent free soaps, what is the potential of residual soap(s), laundry sent(s) contaminating hunting clothes when washing them? Drying them (with the scent free dyer-sheets)?

Do people gain comfort by washing a few purging loads of other laundry (i.e. towels etc) with the scent free detergent? What about the dryer?

Is using a non-dedicated washer/dryer just not an option and you hand wash?

I look forward to your thought and sugggestions
Unscented and scent free are 2 different things. Read the ingredients before you use the soap. Scent free is better.
 
To reduce this risk, you can try running a few loads of other laundry, like towels or bedding, with the scent free detergent before washing your hunting clothes. This can help flush out any lingering scents from previous washes. When it comes to drying, using scent free dryer sheets is a good idea to prevent any additional scents from transferring to your clothes. If a non-dedicated washer/dryer just isn't an option for you, hand washing could be an alternative, although it can be quite time-consuming. If you're looking for a more convenient solution, you might consider using a commercial laundry service that specializes in scent free washing. They have the expertise and equipment to ensure your hunting clothes are thoroughly cleaned without any lingering scents.
 
when I wash my hunting clothes I run a load of my regular clothes first with scent free detergent on hot cycle to flush any residual scented detergent out. Then I run those clothes with scent free dryer sheets and I also flush the lint trap in the dryer as well. Seems like a lot but I don’t wash my hunting clothes that much so it’s not that big a task. My wife has a very sensitive nose and she has stated she can’t smell anything on my hunting clothes at all. I do think it’s like others have said deer are exposed to other scents so I don’t think they’re that alien to them, it’s the scent of human they react too.
 
We have converted over to scent free detergents year-round, since my wife is a bit sensitive to the dyes and scents they put in most detergents anyway. It was an easy sell. My non Scentlok clothes get the wash and dry in the scent free detergents and I don't use a dryer sheet on them. They then get stored in totes. The Scentlok goes in bags and then totes and gets reactivated as needed in the dryer.

I've had deer and coyotes dead downwind of me inside of 20 yards multiple times this season hunting off the ground. Early season I had two coyotes trot by behind me downwind at 7 yards and they didn't even look up. Monday evening, I had a doe come in to my South with a mostly North swirling wind and mill around until she eventually worked about a 270 degree arc around my position. I was on the ground in the Packseat.
 
I somehow talked my fiancé into going 100% scent free for our detergent. I still am very conscious of the wind, but it can't hurt. I figure if I can smell it, it's strong enough for game to feel like they're getting punched in the face.
 
i use All unscented liquid all year for street clothes. However, it has UV brighteners (shine a black light in the jug). I wash my hunting clothes in Scent Killer Gold. I trust that the UV brighteners from a previous load won't do anything bad.
 
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