How do I get the smell of sweat out of clothes!

Peakma

I bath daily,shave my arm pits, use good antipersperant de-oudourant ( used a variety).But I still seem to leave many tight fitting tops a bit whiffy! Particulary black cotton thin jumpers(reaction with the dye?). I've tried soaking them in nappy washing powder, using upholstry de-oudouriser, hot wash, different powders etc.
they hardly have any aroma when folded in the draw, but when they've been on for a little while the old-sweat smell seems to warm up!I have loads of tops in really good condition apart from this and I cant wear them,though also cant bear to bin them.
Does anyone have any ideas-I have thoght it could be down to diet,too much caffine?I dont eat spicy food often.And even if it is down to diet, surely I should be able to wash it out somehow?I wondered about bicarbonate of soda- but if so how much, how long etc.
Any ideas at all would be apprecited, and just to confirm I'm not a smelly person!I despise missing my morning bath,I cant wake up properly without a good soak.

JULIE

Do you know what.... I have a top soaking in milton sterilising fluid as we write.... I have exactly the same problem!!!!!.

I shower every morning am not a smelly person..... i put on top and within half an hour or so the pits smell awful.. so i take it off and its the top not me.... i'm gonna get some white vinegar to soak it in (with water) as I think from reading other threads) that this will neutralise the smell...actually its mainly dark clothes.. i wonder if its cos you can't hot wash them... i also find that conditioner in the wash seems to make it worse so i've been using vinegar in my conditioner bit of machine.... mind you i've noticed that there are marks nowunder the pits and they won't come out with washing... one top especially isn't all that old....glad i'm not the only one!!!!!

Queenie

Vinegar in you final rinse will do the trick.

For me the biggest whiffy are cloth slippers!!!! So I give those a vinegar final rinse and that really does take out obnoxious pongs

Add a tbsp or two to your fabric conditioner compartment of your washing machine (if you're hand washing make that tsps! )

White vinegar is best but I've even used white wine vinegar at a push. No, your cloths will not pong like a chippie

Good luck.

Lillibet_2

Queenie, you beat me to it! Good ole' vinegar again!

vari_a

Thank God! Thought it was only me. I make a paste with Bicarbonate of Soda and water and put on the undrarms of tops to soak before putting them in the wash. It works a treat but obviously you have to repeat it once you make the clothes smelly again.

System

Dare I, a mere male add to this thread. Each one of us produces some for of body odour and yes, clearly there are those who for whatever reason, either don't want to smell fresh or can't be bothered.

Whats gets me though, is when you're walking "in town", and suddenly you get a whiff of someone's really strong body odour and on glancing at the "offender", see it is a woman and often a well dressed woman at that.

Sarahsaver

To get the armpit stains out soak overnight in water which has had some soluble aspirins dissolved in it. Im not sure how many actually, but a good 'dose'!
Peakma do you use a roll on antiperspirant deodorant? Let it dry completely before dressing. I have used a hairdryer to do this when i am in a hurry.:)

Austin_Allegro

I've had this problem, but I usually wear a tee-shirt under my shirts to absorb the worst (except in summer).

Since changing from conventional deodorant to a crystal deodorant from Holland and Barrett I've had the problem less.

Firstly try using shampoo for oily hair as a pre treatment on the armpits of the clothing - just rub it in and wash as normal. If this doesnt' work:

Try the aforementioned paste of bicarb and water (50/50) which I work in to the armpits of the clothing with an old (clean)paint brush, leave to soak in for a few hours then wash. You can do this on jackets etc as well. Take care though - I once did it on a black jacket and it turned the cloth slightly green, so do a spot check first.

If this fails try spraying on or rubbing in vinegar, as your sweat may have the same ph as bicarb.

Galtizz

Bicarb and vinegar (again) :T

I use this instead of fabric softner; 2 parts vinegar, 2 parts bicarb, 4 parts water, 1 or 2 drops of essential oils.
I make it up in an old consentrated lenor bottle and use the cap as a measure to add the parts to make the mix and I use 1 cupful per wash.

OH has medically smelly feet and this has helped stop his socks from smelling so much.

Someone on here also uses bicarb as a deoderant, not sure how you use it though.

Nile

Peakma wrote:

I bath daily,shave my arm pits, use good antipersperant de-oudourant ( used a variety).But I still seem to leave many tight fitting tops a bit whiffy! Particulary black cotton thin jumpers(reaction with the dye?). I've tried soaking them in nappy washing powder, using upholstry de-oudouriser, hot wash, different powders etc.

I was wondering if Peakma has used a 'biological' washing powder in the different powders she's tried? The enzymes in the formula of biological powder will deal with the enzymatic stains and should help with the perspiration problem on the garments.

Regarding the perspiration on your skin, do you use an antiperspirant (not deodrant) spray and wait a moment to let it dry before dressing? If you do but you're still having problems, did you know that there is a product which your gp can prescribe if you suffer from excessive persipiration (hyper-hydrosis , something like that it's called) to contol it?

My mother had this problem years ago, it spoiled every night out/function she attended. Her (social) life was transformed by the product her gp prescribed.

System

Napisan. Its germ killing and is suitable for washing in low temperatures. That should kill any lasting whiffs.