Does anyone know how to get sweat smell out of clothing? My husband just returned home from serving in Iraq and the people in charge of doing laundry for the soldiers did a terrible job. Thanks.
By Mrs. SGT from Akron, OH
Add 1 cup of white vinegar to each wash load, it will get rid of the funky smell. (12/28/2009)
By Marjorie
I've had amazing luck using the cheapie hydrogen peroxide! Just spray or pour it on, then let sit 10 minutes or so and launder as usual. Also, if you can bleach, this greatly helps! First, check to see if the fabric is colorfast with the peroxide.
Another wonderful thing that's quite amazing to remove natural odors is enzyme based pet cleaner and odor remover. One brand is called "OUT!" I like it best because it has a light vanilla scent and not a strong floral scent like some brands do. It's sold in a large spray bottle for under $5 at Walmart and Target in the pet food area. Simply spray on and leave it set while the enzymes do their job "eating" the odor and stain. For stubborn natural/organic stains (not dyes) cover your clothes or the area in the enzyme-base pet cleaner then put the items in bag or cover with plastic wrap (to keep it wet) and leave it sit overnight (you don't have to wait that long, a half-hour or so will usually work). You'll be totally amazed! If it removes the smell of dog, cat, and ferret pee, you know it can remove the smell of human sweat.
* Do NOT put the smelly clothes in dryer or iron as heat tends to set both stains and odors.
* Peroxide goes on sale or 50 cents a bottle quite often at many drugstores. Keep a lookout.
Yes, as MCW said, vinegar is also wonderful to remove odor. You wouldn't think this is true because it smells so badly, but it's actually quite amazing, and no worries about color fading. But, I like the peroxide and also bleach because it actually kills the bacteria that causes many odors. (12/28/2009)
By Cyinda
Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to the beginning of your wash cycle and it will take any smell out of your clothes and your laundry won't smell like vinegar when you are done. (12/28/2009)
By DeAnna
Add 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle of your wash instead of fabric softener to remove the odors. Your clothes won't smell like vinegar. (12/28/2009)
By Alicia
My daughter is a rock climber, and the new outdoor synthetics she wears really hold an odor. She rubs toothpaste into the really odorous spots. You might want to do a hidden spot check to make sure the color is not affected. (12/30/2009)
I use Biz and Oxiclean. My husband too is in Iraq and you are so right, they suck at cleaning. They mix the clothes and don't use enough soap. I know for my husband's stuff, it would take more than one washing, but the Biz and Oxiclean, along with regular detergent works well. I let the washing machine get almost through the wash cycle and then stop it and let it sit for a few hours.
Then reset the washer and let it go through a full wash cycle again. I also put it through 2 extra rinse cycles, sometimes a full wash and rinse cycle without any soap. Some of the detergent they use, because it's not enough of it and they don't rinse enough, hold the dirt and sweat. So it can take a bit to get it all out. Also, for whites use bleach with the detergent in one washing and then after it's rinsed well, use the other stuff in another. It depends on how bad they all are. (12/30/2009)
I would go Biz and Tide with bleach alternative, too. Fill washer with hot water, throw in generous amount of both, swish, throw in clothes and shut off the washer. Let everything soak for a day or two and then run through cycle. You might even want to rinse it through twice to remove any of biz/tide.
I bet this works. Biz is an enzyme cleaner and Tide with bleach alternative also has enzyme cleaner in it. Enzyme cleaner eats up the stains, smells, etc. Same thing as in pet stain removers. (01/10/2010)
By delta
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