Clothes armpit odour after washing.

[CopperBolt]

Hi all
I use a bio liquid and a 40 degree wash but after a while I notice some polo shirts seem to have lingering smell in the pits.

Is there something I can put on the clothes pre wash that will eat up the lingering stink?

Cheers!

[anonymous-user]

White vinegar on the armpits for about 30 mins before washing will sort it.

[parabolica]

How old are the clothes? It's usually a sign for me to bin the clothes for new ones; I wash mine regularly but eventually all t-shirts/shirts etc start to go this way. White vinegar will neutralise the lingering smell for a while but it comes back.

[prand]

I don't think low temps, and the low water usage in modern machines really does give clothes a decent wash.

I found a lot of my work shirts where a bit smelly after normal wash cycles.

I solved it by (as a one off), pre-soaking in some Zoflora disinfectant with a bit of a scrub in the armpits. My brother in law recommended this stuff as he uses it to clean his wetsuits. Then after that, only washing the shirts in a hot wash (60C). I've found this keeps everything smelling great!

60C is not always suitable for all fabrics so be careful of shrinking your favourite clothes, but is fine, on pre-shrunk cotton.

[thomson]

Use Borax powder added into the wash, or as a pre-soak , works a treat, dead cheap from various online places..

[Smint]

prand said:

I don't think low temps, and the low water usage in modern machines really does give clothes a decent wash.

I found a lot of my work shirts where a bit smelly after normal wash cycles.

I solved it by (as a one off), pre-soaking in some Zoflora disinfectant with a bit of a scrub in the armpits. My brother in law recommended this stuff as he uses it to clean his wetsuits. Then after that, only washing the shirts in a hot wash (60C). I've found this keeps everything smelling great!

60C is not always suitable for all fabrics so be careful of shrinking your favourite clothes, but is fine, on pre-shrunk cotton.

Except for obvious stuff that would shrink or run, everything gets washed at least 50' and for things like bedsheets 60', and agreed some modern washing machines don't use enough water in the main wash, fortunately the one we have you can press a switch that will allow more water in during the wash cycle.

Also despite reading its apparently useless and a waste of money we slip a Calgon tablet in (Lidl used to sell similar a Lot cheaper, sadly no more, same with their descaler liquid), this helps soften the water making the detergent tablet go further and do its thing, no stains left on collars and no armpit stains or smells remain.

I don't wear polo or T shirts, can't stand the things, instead wear proper shirts either full or part cotton which allow better air circulation.

[Matthen]

CopperBolt said:

Hi all
I use a bio liquid and a 40 degree wash but after a while I notice some polo shirts seem to have lingering smell in the pits.

Is there something I can put on the clothes pre wash that will eat up the lingering stink?

Cheers!

Couple of things -

Check the washing machine is actually heating the water: we had one with a knackered element and zero other symptoms, except my clothes not smelling clean after a week or so in the drawers.

Don't overfill the machine : check the book regarding max load for the cycle (many are advertised as having a massive capacity, but if you look this is only one one or two cycles).

And make sure you don't leave the load in the washing machine when it's complete - get it out and airing.

You shouldn't need any additional products or chemicals beyond detergent and softener.

[Emeye]

Putting your shirts on when your deodorant is still wet might cause this. Or might not.

[CopperBolt]

Cheers all.

Halo and White vinegar/zoflora/borax all worth a go a I think. will also ponder going up to 50 degrees at the risk of shrinking.

[LeeM135i]

Have to vinegar soak my running kit once a month, works a treat. Then wash at 30 degrees with sports wash kills the bacteria and keeps it smelling fresh for another month.

[Big Rig]

CheesecakeRunner said:

Try Halo sports wash, works brilliantly on sweating running kit for me.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/halo-s...

Do you use this instead of powder & conditioner or just as a conditioner?

[DRFC1879]

Smint said:

I don't wear polo or T shirts, can't stand the things

Wow. Every day for everything you do? Each to their own and all that but I couldn't imagine doing that. Not sure what your hobbies are but surely a "proper" shirt isn't suitable for all occasions?

[LeeM135i]

Big Rig said:

CheesecakeRunner said:

Try Halo sports wash, works brilliantly on sweating running kit for me.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/halo-s...

Do you use this instead of powder & conditioner or just as a conditioner?

Usually put a cup in with the pre wash draw then a cup in the detergent draw but we use liquid / liquid tabs so it just mixes together. Not sure what the result would be if you mixed powder and liquid in the detergent draw. We don't use fabric softener in general as it reduces the amount of liquid (sweat) the fabric can absorb so you can get rashes if the fabric rubs (running / biking kit).

[Bacon Is Proof]

Shirts are fine if you're not really doing much but if you're being active decent snug fitting Ts are essential so any sweat can be drawn off the body and moisture can instantly be vented to atmosphere!
I've never found a polo that can do this as well as a good T.

[Pothole]

DRFC1879 said:

Smint said:

I don't wear polo or T shirts, can't stand the things

Wow. Every day for everything you do? Each to their own and all that but I couldn't imagine doing that. Not sure what your hobbies are but surely a "proper" shirt isn't suitable for all occasions?

It's just the usual PH snobbery, the implication being those of us who don't wear a "proper" shirt aren't "proper". He wouldn't notice smelly pits with his head up his back end anyway!

[Smint]

Pardon one for not being a clone.

[anonymous-user]

Change your deodorant.

I went from a spray on to a cream applied with fingers (https://naturaldeoco.com/ if interested) and the typical clothing stains and smells do not occur anymore.