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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

B.O. What else can I use on DH's shirts?

22 replies

Littleover · 17/06/2011 16:49

DH's work shirts smell great after washing, until they are ironed and then it hits me. I use Ariel actilift or Bold liquid and have tried neat liquid before washing. His commute time has recently doubled and instead of an airconned car he is on the train now so no wonder he gets warmer (and smellier!).

Any hints gratefully received. I have limited housekeeping skills but find the subject fascinating and am aware that I am probably missing something obvious.

OP posts:
Stillchuckingit · 17/06/2011 16:56

Have you tried clear white vinegar on inside armpit area of shirt prior to washing?

(The industrial/cleaning kind - not culinary type)

I find this reasonably effective

Littleover · 17/06/2011 17:06

I'll try that. Thanks.

OP posts:
megagusset · 17/06/2011 17:22

Try squirting vanish on the inside armpit - good soaking - and wash as you already do. This works on smelly teenage DS

memory505 · 17/06/2011 21:45

If DH's are smelling really bad, I soak in water and white vinegar before washing and then no smells (even when ironing). You can't smell the vinegar on the clothes either.

HettyAmaretti · 17/06/2011 21:49

vodka on teh pits. honest.

Moodykat · 17/06/2011 21:52

When very young I worked in a fancy dress shop and white vinegar was our BO destroyer of choice!

TheWaterHorse · 17/06/2011 23:06

I'm interested in this too. Where do you find the white vinegar? I've been looking out for it in the supermarket and not found it yet.

cybbo · 17/06/2011 23:07

If DH's shirts smell really bad, let Dh iron them Wink

memory505 · 17/06/2011 23:21

TheWaterHorse, try the aisle where vinegars such as malt etc are (it's not usually in the cleaning aisle).

TheWaterHorse · 17/06/2011 23:49

Thanks Memory - will give that a try

mousymouse · 19/06/2011 08:10

I wash dh's smelly shirts separately.
the things I noticed that help

  • wash at 40 instead of 30
  • use biological powder
  • use only half the powder recommended on the pack
  • add the same amount soda crystals
  • sometimes I use dettol liquid desinfectant in the conditioner drawer
  • no conditioner
Georgimama · 19/06/2011 08:12

How about more soap/anti-perspirant for him? Lots of men's bodysprays are deoderants not anti-perspirants. God knows why.

brighthair · 19/06/2011 09:05

Soak in warm water and napisan then wash with bio powder or liquid and no fabric conditioner as it holds the smell in

AmyStake · 19/06/2011 11:33

I used to have this problem with DP's work shirts. I got a big bottle of Vanish liquid from Poundstretchers (I think) and did all his work shirts together on a Friday night.

He also started using Mitchium's 48 hour men's deodorant roll on deodoratn which has helped a LOT, don't need to use the Vanish any more. Before he was using anti perspirant.

Littleover · 21/06/2011 21:31

The vinegar works!

I use it with bio liquid and no fabric conditioner. Thanks for the tip.

OP posts:
mousymouse · 21/06/2011 21:59

great to hear!

mosaica · 22/06/2011 19:28

What do you do with the vinegar, do you spray and rub some in, or do you dilute it in water and soak the shirt? Also, I've heard some people put vinegar rather than conditioner in their washing machine and this helps too. Any idea
of how much do you need to use, as much as conditioner or less?

mosaica · 22/06/2011 19:29

What do you do with the vinegar, do you spray and rub some in, or do you dilute it in water and soak the shirt? Also, I've heard some people put vinegar rather than conditioner in their washing machine and this helps too. Any idea
of how much do you need to use, as much as conditioner or less?

mousymouse · 22/06/2011 19:43

when I use vinegar in a wash, I put it into the conditioner drawer. about 100ml. don't worry about the smell, that goes away when drying.

BornToFolk · 22/06/2011 19:43

Bah! I was coming here to share my Great Vinegar Secret and everyone knows about it! Grin

I soak DP's running gear in water and vinegar before washing. Fill up the sink with cold water, put about half a bottle of vinegar in, soak for a bit and then wash as usual.

I also put vinegar in the fabric softener bit (not after the vinegar soak though). Probably about 3 capfuls. We don't use fabric softener at all.

BornToFolk · 22/06/2011 19:44

Ooh, and the other thing is to dry outside. When they're dried inside the smell lingers but hanging them out, even for a bit, really helps.

Thehusbandsatcricketagain · 23/06/2011 13:45

A product that is made for sports clothes to put in wash with them that kills the bacteria, it's called "Halo" (I think it was someone on the apprentice that created it)I was going to buy it (quite pricey) for my running tops but chucked them & bought new ones in the end,but for work clothes it could be a good option.

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