Solution - Removing perspiration odor from shirts

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mrsilv04

mrsilv04

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I ride a motorcycle... a lot, which means that my shirts take a beating in the summer... they're exposed to a lot of sweat. I even ride to work as much as I can.

However, I was finding that over time, my shirts were developing a perspiration odor that normal laundering wasn't able to remove any more.

I tried lots of products that were available in the detergent aisle at the store. Detergent boosters, color safe bleaches, even products claimed to be odor removers... Nothing made more than just a little bit of difference.

In desperation, I took one shirt and tried something a little unconventional, and it WORKED.

I sprayed the shirt with Dow Bathroom Cleaner... you know, the "scrubbing bubbles" stuff in the *aerosol* can. On the can, it claims to kill odor causing bacteria. I guess that's why I tried it. Why not?

I sprayed the shirt until the fabric was soaked under the arms, took my fingers and gently worked the cleaner through the fabric. I wadded the shirt up and let it sit for about an hour (I wadded it up so the bathroom cleaner wouldn't dry out of the shirt so quickly), and then laundered with my regular detergent it in the hottest water that I felt that the shirt could take.

And it worked. Whatever was causing the odor was removed, and hasn't yet returned. It has worked on every shirt that I've tried (even t-shirts), and the bathroom cleaner hasn't hurt the color or fabric on any of the shirts.

I don't know if this will work for anyone else, but it has "saved" several shirts for me.
 
Nice. Just not sure what remnant chemicals still are there that might go into the skin.

Id at least want to double wash, maybe allow to line dry.

Ive found a correlation between retained smell or moldy smell and how long it took to get the stuff from the washer to dryer - so dont let it sit wet!
 
OK, OK....

Do not try this is you've ever shown any sign of past sensitivity whatsoever to any sort of cleaning product that you might try this process with, or any other related products.

And be sure to thoroughly wash the garment before wearing it... or twice if you feel that it might be necessary.

On second thought, just delete the thread. You're a mod. I should have never mentioned it.
 
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
OK, OK....

Do not try this is you've ever shown any sign of past sensitivity whatsoever to any sort of cleaning product that you might try this process with, or any other related products.

And be sure to thoroughly wash the garment before wearing it... or twice if you feel that it might be necessary.

On second thought, just delete the thread. You're a mod. I should have never mentioned it.


What's with the sensitivity?

Its a great finding, and surely will help many.

Doesnt mean we shouldnt be careful around chemicals that arent meant for that kind of use. May or may not be an issue.

Still its a great finding - not sure what your issue is.
 
I wear the same shirt and shorts all week long when I go for a morning run. In the summer humidity I too sweat a lot, plus I'm running before I take a morning shower. My work clothing also gets extremely sweaty (as well as dusty and dirty) if I'm out in the summer heat bush hogging for a few hours.

Regular launderings have always removed the odors, dirt and stains from my clothing (other than some severe grease or oil stains).
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Let the shirt soak in a bucket of water with a little bit of Vinegar.


Exactly what you should do. 5 gallon bucket and a cup of vinegar. soak it for an hour or so and wash it regular
 
I've had this problem with my workout clothes before also. It started last year, maybe something to do about turning 30? Or perhaps just that we had a killer summer last year. Record number of 100+ degree days... although not in a row.

I found that dropping a cup of vinegar in the wash along with the normal amount of detergent will kill whatever it is.

That being said, vinegar is acidic and I am pretty sure that it is tough on the fibers of your clothes. Therefore regular washes with vinegar will wear out your threads more quickly, literally.
I have only done it when I have a issue. It has not returned since last summer.

You don't want to be the smelly kid in class.
 
Whatever Under Armor uses to treat some of their "all weather gear" shirts with gives it a VERY water-musky smell, EVEN after REPEATED, MULTIPLE washing in VERY hot water, and either line drying OR machine drying.

I have a white, long sleeve, 'thermal pattern' shirt (the one with the reverse stitching, and lime green inside accents) like this, and I'm wondering if these suggestions would work on this stinker.
21.gif
 
I would feel much more comfortable soaking the offending garment in a baking soda solution for a couple hours before washing. I do this with the towels I use to wipe the dog down with when she gets wet. No smell afterward and it's less likely to damage the fabric or cause a skin irritation.
 
Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
That being said, vinegar is acidic and I am pretty sure that it is tough on the fibers of your clothes.


I have to disagree. We use cloth diapers, wash with Charlie's Soap and vinegar is used as the 'fabric softener' during the rinse cycle. All of our clothes are washed the same way (but separate from the diapers). After 2 years, the diapers and our clothes are still coming out perfectly clean & fresh every time with no noticeable accelerated fiber degradation.
 
I've never tried the vinegar angle, but recalled reading that before. So I did a quick Google search right now, and sure enough, one can find endless references to vinegar "freshening" up the laundry when a cup of same is poured in with the detergent. Not sure how it works (I'm thinking gnomes, or possibly unicorn tears), but apparently it does work. I'm guessing laundry bleach MIGHT be a good odor killer as well (not sure), but safe only for white clothes, of course. Another odor killer for garments I've read about, but haven't tried, is (and this is trippy) to mix half water and half vodka in a spray bottle and thoroughly spray a garment, then let it air dry. Odors such as smoke, airborne cooking grease, light sweat, etc. will supposedly go away, with no lingering vodka scent. Potentially a good clothes "washer" when, say, traveling or in a hotel without a fresh change of clothes. Don't believe me? Can't blame ya. Google it.
 
Only time that I've ever seen a problem with underarm stuff was when using "waxy" deodorant sticks, that obviously left stuff that stored bugs, and left a general "waxiness" to the cloth.

No more waxy deodorant sticks.

We use cold water to wash, and line dry...air and sun removes even tomato stains.
 
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Only time that I've ever seen a problem with underarm stuff was when using "waxy" deodorant sticks, that obviously left stuff that stored bugs, and left a general "waxiness" to the cloth.

No more waxy deodorant sticks.

We use cold water to wash, and line dry...air and sun removes even tomato stains.


That down under sun will kill pretty much ANY/EVERYTHING one leaves out in it long enough!!
lol.gif
 
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