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

Mrs_Thrify

Sharra wrote: »

I only buy the basics washing powder, and that seems fine for my clothes when I do them on the quick wash cycle. However the smelly men's clothes never seem to get clean unless I do a full length wash on them.

My question is, if I use a more expensive washing powder, will I be able to get away with the quick wash? And will it save me money even if the powder costs more?

Thanks

Hiya, I am just changing my views on washing liquids for the machine.
I now wash on 60 c easy care wash for machine and when I have used up all the shops own brand colour liquid I am changing to Ariel Excel Gel colour detergent. On offer in Mr. T' for £3. 667 mls. I have heard it is very good so want to try for myself. I also sometimes use Bio tex for very soiled clothes.

valk_scot

Just to say that it's very rare to think your own clothes smell (unless you have really bad BO) because you get used to your own smell and can't smell it on your own clothes. Soooo....(and I really don't mean to be rude, honestly!) if your powder isn't getting your family's clothes clean and fresh it's unlikely to be getting your clothes clean either, tbh.

I would experiment with other budget brands, such as Lidl's own make, and add some washing soda.

Sharra

valk_scot - eeeek! That's a really good point! I'm going to have to get my OH to sniff my clean clothes now lol

flossyblog

throw in a generous amount of soda crystals with the washing powder/ liquid.

I occasionally soak washing overnight in soda crystals. followed by a machine wash.

Butterfly_Brain

I always use soda crystals to soften the water because soft water makes for a better cleaner wash - I also add a kettle of boiling water straight into the drum if clothes are a bit wiffy (usually DH and DS - men are such smelly creatures)

lil_me

Tablespoon of powder/liquid and same of soda crystals seems to sort our stuff no problem. A little essential oil can help with fragrance. Making sure washing machine is clean/fresh smelling is the first thing to check.

Slinky_Malinky

I always used my quick wash program and some things did not come out 100% clean - then I read somewhere (possibly on these forums) that during a wash cycle the most electricity is used heating the water up to the required temperature and that the amount used for the agitation of the drum during the wash cycle is minimal. So now I don`t feel so bad using the full length rather than quick wash if I think the clothes need it.

I find Aldi and Lidl own brand detergent to be quite good.

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread on getiing smells from clothes

Penny. x

grimerking

I have a bit of a sweat problem and used to struggle with massive sweat patches. Antiperspirants were pretty useless and I always ended up with big underarm stains in my clothes.

Somebody else on this board suggested Driclor. You can get it at Boots for £6. It is a roll-on antiperspirant and lasts for days at a time (between showers).

Now, I shower at night, whack on the Driclor, go to bed and apply Tesco's Value Deodorant in the morning. It has finally solved my problem!

As for existing smells in clothes:

1) Wash at 60 decrees Celsius if possible - I tend to ignore the 40C warnings on cotton clothes. I think most are just there to cover the manufacturer.

2) Add a couple of tablespoons of Soda Crystals to your washing powder each wash.

3) Buy some cheap vinegar at the supermarket (13p a pint at Tescos) and use instead of fabric conditioner. I tend to slosh in quite a lot.

Another reason for smelly clothes is a dirty machine. Do they smell musty? It could be that the machine is clogged up with gunk and mould. You are meant to do a 'service wash' once a month:

1) Fill the powder dispenser with soda salts (1/3 bag usually) and put machine on boil wash with prewash.

2) Once finished, pour a full pint of vinegar straight into the drum and again, put on boil wash with prewash.

The soda crystals 'soften' the water and help any washing powder residue to dissolve. The boiling water will kill bacteria.

The vinegar will kill off any mould/fungi and also break down limescale.

Depending on the age of the machine, you may need to repeat the process a few times to fully clean the machine. It may also seem to get worse, before it gets better as the mould/bacteria are loosed up and produce nasty smells. Keep going until the machine is working properly.

I got a washing machine from Freecycle that had this problem. It took 8 boil washes (4 soda and 4 vinegar) to completely rectify the problem. So long as you boil wash your sheets and towels once a month, it sholdn't come back.

Always leave the washing machine door open between washes, so that air can circulate freely and dry out the internals. This will help prevent smelly mould forming.

thisuseridistakenagain

Ive got loads to primark tshirts that are cut short on the sleeve so they gather under the arm. They have now gone yellow under there on the white ones!!!

smell isnt a problem but yellow! blerg!!!