Not AIBU but need some advice!

[Christmasslippers]

Apologies for posting in this section but I thought I may get more responses here or perhaps someone who has experienced similar could give me some advice.

Not exactly a nice situation, but over the last 4-5 months I've noticed a lot of my clothes (tops only) smell of BO and my deodorant, normally a mix of both. I'm a cleaner so naturally sweat when I'm working as I clean a lot of large houses but this has been ongoing before I even became a cleaner (only been in the job for two months so far) so I can't exactly blame it on that.

I'm a clean person and shower twice a day (in morning and at night before bed), I put deodorant or body spray on so I don't sweat. I normally only wear tops once before their washed and I do a load of washing every two days. I don't think I actually smell as I've never had any complaints and I'm pretty sure if I did my mother or at least a family member would of told me as their very honest and speak their mind.

I've tried different deodorants but it doesn't seem to help and even if it did the tops would still smell of BO as well as like I said above it's a mix of both the smells . The ones that do smell I've washed a hundred times, turned them inside out to wash and even put fairy liquid on the underarm areas of them before putting them in the wash but nothing seems to work. I've actually ended up binning most of the ones that do (some brand new) as I just gave up trying to get rid of the smell. I've actually bought some new clothes in the Boxing Day sales today but I'm a bit worried it may happen again and I might have to bin these ones which I can't really afford to do!

I've never had this problem before, it's definitely only within the last 5 months it's started happening. Has anyone experienced something similar and what did you do? How do I stop the smells from lingering on my clothes? I've had to bin some lovely tops as well which I'm gutted about.

Thanks!

All above advice re: mitchum deodorant etc should help, even under your breasts, I usually clean my washing machine every few months, and I find wearing 100% cotton tops, or as close as I can get it helps keep me feeling cooler, as the material will absorb the sweat, rather than it sitting on the skin making you feel sticky and icky and invariably leading to smells...

If this is new and you're concerned about it, it might be worthwhile speaking to your doctor, because it may be hormonal, and a blood test will help decide how you proceed.

You mention you use washing tablets for your clothes.
My clothes and machine started to smell when i switched to a liquid detergent.
After reading this had happened to lots of people, i swapped back to powdered clothes detergent (i use Persil bio), no more smelly washing machine or clothes.
I also recommend spraying white vinegar on the under arms of your clothes and make sure you are using an anti perspirant, not just a deodorant.

To answer some of your questions -

I do clean my washing machine regularly (mother nags me to do so as she bought it for me) and I actually cleaned it two weeks ago so I don't think it's that that's the problem.

I'm not sure if it's me or the clothes but I must be sweating enough for the smell to stick to my clothes and leave such a strongly smell anyway but if I'm sweating I can never smell myself. It's definitely deodorant and not anti-perspirant that I use but happy to change and buy something different if it will help.

I'm working tomorrow but off all weekend so I have plenty of time to try all these great tips out. Thank you all so much for the advice, I feel better already. will let you know how I get on!

Clothes wise, as others have said, spray white vinegar on the understand of your clothes before washing. I habe a spray bottle by the laundry basket so people can spray it when they put their dirty clothes in. I haven't seen any problems with it being left a few days til it's washed. It's completely done away with BO smells on clothes.

Deodorant wise I have been buying Native deodorant. It cones all the way from America but it is natural, various lovely scents, natural and most importantly works! I have had no body odour since using this brand, even after sweaty yoga sessions.

Underarms not understand!

Do you wear polyester tops? Mine always stink of BO when I wear them despite being clean and wearing antiperspirant.

Going to buy and try the white vinegar this weekend. I will get all the tops that smell together, spray them and put them in for a wash and see what happens. Fingers crossed! I have fabric conditioner, tablets and powder (don't use them all at the same time though). Do you think I should just ditch the tablets and conditioner and just use the powder from now on?

I got this when I used Tesco own brand washing tablets. Switched to Ariel and it went

@Christmasslippers you need to properly spritz the underarms of the clothes on the inside, leave for at least 30 mins then wash. You can't over do it and they won't smell of vinegar when they come out. Hope it helps. Let us know!

@M0reGinPlease thank you!

I'm in similar boat! I buy less expensive black long sleeve tops now- as it was getting ridiculous with how quickly I was binning them. Mine smelt fine out of the washing machine, but just a little heat (I.e a short walk to work) and boom the long returned ... I could whiff myself at work!

I'm also going to try the vinegar trick.

Like you I don't think anyone else noticed- but being able to smell BO on yourself is less than nice. Especially given that I'm also pretty fastidious about cleanliness.

I get this. Try diluting a little napisan and rubbing it into the underarms of the clothes, then using some in the machine as well.

@MsJaneAusten another Napisan fan here for when I wash delicate clothes on a low temp, but found I also needed the vinegar on the actual clothes beforehand to do the trick.

I definitely find washing powder much more effective than capsules or tablets.
And use biological washing powder.
You could also put a concentrated paste of the powder on the underarm area before washing the tops

....but try the vinegar first and let me know if it works!

Mitchum 48 hour cream anti perspirant made a big difference for me. Some clothes just had to go though. Some items hold the smell more than others

Hi Op, I use to get anxious and sweat for no apparent reason. I used a product called Driclo. You can get it from any chemist for around £6. It's a roll on you use before going to bed. You can use it on your under arms, feet etc. Wherever you sweat from and it will help stop you sweating. I swear by it. One tip... don't use on freshly shaved under arms. It stings. Good luck

I had this issue when I was in my late teens, I feel your pain!!

Stuff that could help..wash with a natural soap, maybe from lush?..bin any tops that still smell after washing..buy cheap if poss..wear cotton, breathable, loose, vest tops when possible to get air to under arms

A good natural deodorant is Toms which is lovely on sensitive skin x

Soap instead of shower gel was a game changer for me.

I’ve found every now and then doing a high temp wash makes a big difference if clothes are getting smelly

I'm not sure anyone's said this but it's the clothes - fabric specifically. Anything with polyester or non natural fabrics encourages bacteria growth which is the smell - it's not you. If it's pure cotton or merino it shouldn't smell. More expensive though I know! I've used dettol in the past to kill the bacteria. Or wash on a high temperature (as long as the fabric can withstand it)...

...also Mitchum. Or a men's deodorant. Some of the women's ones don't work very well.

How did you get on @Christmasslippers?