Laura Corin Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Calvin has a polyester undershirt that he likes to wear as a PJ top. He must have worn it for too many days because I can't get the body smell out of it, even after washing it three times. Is there anything I can add to the wash to get rid of the smell? Would vinegar work? How would I use it and how much? Thanks Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Do you use fabric softener? The wax buildup seems to hold in smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Do you use fabric softener? The wax buildup seems to hold in smells. I use an unscented detergent and no fabric softener. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I would try soaking in a vinegar solution first. No idea how much--I just throw in about a cup into my front loader and set it on soak. Maybe a cup for a gallon of water in a bucket? Then rinse, then launder as usual. This has helped me get the stink out of dishtowels. Might be worth a try. Cinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I guess you can try soaking it in vinegar. I would do that. I wonder what do you do with the polyester soccer shirts/shorts? THose must get pretty stinky. It must be a similar process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenpatty Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 For my stinky running clothes, I let them soak in the washer (hot water) for at least an hour with 1/2 cup of washing soda added to my normal detergent. Frequently, I will start the load before I go to bed and let it soak all night. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liza Q Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Baking soda works pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tearose Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I'd also suggest hanging smelly clothes out in the sun a few hours after you've washed them. I was given some hand-me-downs from a smoking household, and I wasn't sure that they could be salvaged, but a couple hours in the sun did the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvToRead Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I would wash with vinegar, then hang out in sun. That is, if you the sun is shining where you live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 I would wash with vinegar, then hang out in sun. That is, if you the sun is shining where you live. I'll rewash then - thanks. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialClassical Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 If the vinegar doesn't work, try ammonia. I have found it removes many kinds of smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I will use these hints, too, on my dd's shirts - she complains that her shirts smell even after washing. Well, she does martial arts and sweats a LOT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Now I'm washing it and will put it out to blow in the breeze. Let's hope that it works. Thanks Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Now I'm washing it and will put it out to blow in the breeze. Let's hope that it works. Thanks Laura If it doesn't work and you are really desperate, they make special detergent to get the smell out of athletic clothes. Here are reviews of a few of them from Runner's World. My local running store carries something different than those, but it works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon H in IL Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 Laura, I'm impressed that the kingdom of Fife ever gets that much sun! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 Laura, I'm impressed that the kingdom of Fife ever gets that much sun! :D The prevailing wind is from the south west, so it dumps all its rain on the high ground in Wales and western Scotland before arriving here. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWinner Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I keep a lidded bucket with Boraxo & water next to the washer & let stinky stuff (soccer socks are the worst) soak overnight then toss in the wash with a regular load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 I've tried all kinds of things because my workout clothes stink: vinegar, borax, baking soda, special athletic washes..none have worked. I might try ammonia. Anyway, the only product that has had some success is by Melaleuca. It's called Sol-u-Mel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 10, 2010 Author Share Posted September 10, 2010 I've tried all kinds of things because my workout clothes stink: vinegar, borax, baking soda, special athletic washes..none have worked. I might try ammonia. Anyway, the only product that has had some success is by Melaleuca. It's called Sol-u-Mel. They have a UK branch, so if the vinegar doesn't work I'll look into it. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flobee76 Posted September 10, 2010 Share Posted September 10, 2010 my DH is a runner and his clothes are just plain gross. I have a top-loading machine. I do a cold soak with a capful of Bac-Out (from Biokleen), I let it soak OVERNIGHT. Then, I proceed with a regular wash cycle. wheew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 I started having this smelly problem this summer with my hubby's t-shirts. Someone told me to put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray down the armpits (with the shirt inside out) until they are saturated before washing the shirt. It works!! The difference is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Do you have a sanitary cycle on your washing machine? I had a stinky problem with my soft and cuddly synthetic throw blankets. No matter how I washed them, I just couldn't get out a certain unpleasant smell. Somehow I figured out that running them through the sanitary cycle is the cure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnado Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 My teenage son plays soccer and his clothes are always stinky, especially under the arm pits. My husband's towels can have that body odor smell, too. Here is the solution that works for me. 1 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons baking soda, regular laundry detergent in hot water rigorous machine cycle. Do not pour the vinegar and baking soda directly on your clothes because it may splotch your clothes. I was told that the stinky smell is bacteria and can become worst if you leave the clothing for days. Obviously, do not wash the stinky clothes with other clothes because the bacteria can spread and the stink can contaminate. You athletic mom's can thank me later. :) Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delaney Posted September 12, 2010 Share Posted September 12, 2010 Bac-out will get out the stink or you can boil it on the stove in Dawn. I do this as a last resort for stinky cloth diapers. You can also add a touch of bleach mixed with detergent in the wash and it won't fade it. I had masses of STINKY shirts from scout camp come home and I needed to wash them with bleach to kill the bacteria causing the stink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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