If it’s a stained tablecloth, mix a little dishwashing detergent with water and put it directly on the stain first, then launder.

It also makes the smell of household products such as deodorant, dishwashing detergent, bath soap, shampoo, furniture polish, and floor wax.

Pods of dishwashing detergent are also available, but they're chemically different and aren't causing this kind of widespread problem, he said.