Washing clothes - persistent odors

[newprincesita]

How do you remove persistent odors from a piece of clothing?

Sometimes I find it difficult to remove strong odors from clothes.

I know this may sound kinda gross, but even if I apply special stain removers, a lot of soaps etc, some cotton clothes that sit near the body remain with a trace of odor.
Specially in the underarms. It drives me crazy.

Let´s say I buy a new t-shirt for my husband (he is a very clean lad), and even if he wears for a few hours ... AFTER the machine wash, when I iron the T-shirt, it emits a strange odour in the underarm zone. I tried everything...soaping and rinsing the trouble areas many times, etc, but still the vague odor remains.

I know some people have (even if they´re very hygienic, like my hubby) a very strong smelling perspiration.

Maybe I´m being a bit obsessive, but do you know what can you apply or do to a garment to make it smell 100% clean every time?

 

[cuppycakes]

i always put tide liquid detergent under the arms as soon as i take something off that smells-it usually sets in the laundary basket for a couple of days soaking and when i wash it all is good. works everytime for me.

 

[Bel]

Tide with Febreeze works, anthough it's a little too floral.

 

[softgrey]

the heat of hte iron wil actually enhance the odor and 'set' it permanently...
so you might want to stop ironing his t shirts...

isn't ironing a t shirt a bit much anyway?......

just shake it our while it is still warm from the dryer and that should shake out any wrinkles...then fold neatly or hang if you are really obsessive

hanging things outside in direct sunlight is also reported to elimate odours...
this does work...
i've done it with vintage things that had a lingering odour...

 

[Alejandro]

UGH, this used to happen when i would buy shirts from the vintage shops, they had that stench that was sooo hard to remove.

I just dip them in cold cold water with an essential oil. I used the cold water to prevent color bleeding, and to lock in the essence into the shirt, then wash it in a delicate cycle, and hang it dry.

Dryers and irons are so so bad for your clothes, especially when we're talking about sealing in the bad odor.

thank god we're not talking about the yellow stains on the underarms, cause i dont wear white shirts

aside the fact i dont get those, no siree

 

[Priestess]

Try taking them to a dry cleaner. Some dry cleaners have an odor removing service.

 

[joie]

Plain old white vinegar will get rid of odours in clothing. Just soak the item in water with a good dose of vinegar for a few hours or overnight (probably would not recommend for delicate/vintage clothing though). And no, your clothes will not smell like vinegar afterwards

 

[newprincesita]

Plain old white vinegar will get rid of odours in clothing. Just soak the item in water with a good dose of vinegar for a few hours or overnight (probably would not recommend for delicate/vintage clothing though). And no, your clothes will not smell like vinegar afterwards

Thanks for all the tips...I never thought about the vinegar, I am definitely gonna try that.
I tried the Febreeze and it worked, but then they stopped making (or selling) Febreeze here in my country. I guess it wasn´t properly advertised and sold quite poorly.

 

[Bel]

Oh I just remembered... Vodka!
It's supposed to dry odorless and kill bacteria.
But I'd be kind of afraid of it fading colors.

 

[SomethingElse]

^ If it doesn't remove the odor, you can always drink it!

Baking soda in the wash works for me on most fabrics.

 

[thefrancofille]

Good stuff. I have a few sporty shirts that have deodorant odor trapped under the arm.

 

[spierce]

Has anyone actually tried vodka or vinegar?
My father keeps buying new shirts because he can't get the smell out 100% so I want to try it but not ruin the shirts

 

[Lilliana]

vinegar doesn't harm the clothes, my mom used to add a few cups of vinegar to every washing

 

[newprincesita]

What about a spray of lysoform? Has anybody tried it?
It´s supposed to kill all types of bacteria and it can be sprayed on fabrics (like sofas and cloth covered furniture)

 

[Lilliana]

lysoform has a rather strong smell that reminds me of a doctors waiting room. I can't stand it, but that's a question of personal dis/like

 

[PerfectPerfect]

UGH, this used to happen when i would buy shirts from the vintage shops, they had that stench that was sooo hard to remove.

I hate this. I've also had many old folks give me clothes for free, but it smells like them or their houses (which usually means a dog/cat person or smoker). It's just about the worst concoction to make someone barf. I let clothes air out on their own in a well aired out place for a few hours or days if I have to.

It might also be the kind of deoderant he is wearing.

I steam my clothes instead of ironing them. It's easier.

 

[le go garçon 84]

the vodka generally works

 

[nylonbits]

i tried baking soda before, it didn't work 100% so maybe i need to soak it longer...i don't think you're obsessive! its been bothering me for a long time too and most of the methods i found off google didn't seem to work really well...it's annoying because most deodorants/anti-perspirants don't work for me so i'm always scared people will smell my BO i will try the vinegar method, vodka seems little too pricey

 

[nylonbits]

i decided to change my diet too, i read that you smell like what you eat..hahaha

 

[Street_a_Licious]

I'm with Bel and Le Go garcon... vodka. In every aspect of life, lol.

(Sometimes, when I think that my feet stink, I spritz some vodka on. A water bottle smells like tepid water? Clean it out with vodka! The people at the nearby supermarket must think I'm a raging alcoholic, )