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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Washed clothes still smelling of BO

26 replies

ChillySundays · 02/04/2015 23:17

I have a couple of tops that even after washing are still a bit whiffy.

How do I get rid of the smell?

OP posts:
CliveCussler · 02/04/2015 23:20

I find this happens when I use ecover or similar. Particularly on a lower temp.

When I wash at 40degrees with own brand non-bio its fine.

durhamgirl · 02/04/2015 23:24

White vinegar sprayed on then left for up to half an hour before washing. Works every time.

Petitgrain · 03/04/2015 09:38

Halo Sports Wash, on a high temperature, although you may need to give it a couple of goes.

MsRaspberryJam · 03/04/2015 09:40

I find it is due to antiperspirant residue. Try soaking them in vanish oxy-action.

MrSlant · 03/04/2015 09:43

I know this one! Half a cap of Zoflora in a prewash then wash with biological stuff. I have teenage sons, trust me on this one, it took me ages to find something that works on their school shirts it was a revelation when I got them out of the machine all fragrant! They don't smell flowery either, just clean.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 03/04/2015 09:44

tea tree oil in with both powder and softener should help
just a few drops.

rabbit123 · 03/04/2015 11:37

Use powder, not liquid and pre-treat accordingly.

Original poster
ChillySundays · 03/04/2015 12:18

Thanks everyone! Will trying your ideas.

What I don't understand is why some tops are fine and others smell?

OP posts:
Tobagostreet · 03/04/2015 12:21

Get the same thing here. Tends to be anything with manmade fibres hold the smell longer. It seems easier to get it out of cotton/linen shirts.

blueberrypie0112 · 03/04/2015 14:13

wash it again. And air it out in the sun (or outdoor as long it is not raining)

blueberrypie0112 · 03/04/2015 14:18

"What I don't understand is why some tops are fine and others smell? "

maybe the tops that smells where the one you sweat in it the most (workout or something)

Or maybe it is because those tops have been sitting wet for a day or two.. they tend to smell musty. make sure all your wet clothes are hang up to dry if you are not going to wash them for awhile.. or if you have a separate washer and dryer like I do, make sure you take the wet clother out of the washer immediately and put it in the dryer.

ArcheryAnnie · 03/04/2015 14:21

I've had this with DS's polyester school shirts - putting them in a bowl, sloshing a bit of vinegar over the whiffy bits, then leaving it for a bit before washing again as normal has sorted it out.

I usually do it with white vinegar, but when I have run out have done it with malt, and the chipshop smell does wash out along with the BO! (And the brown vinegar doesn't stain, either.)

Buttercup27 · 03/04/2015 14:25

We put the machine on empty at 90 with a splash of bleach to clean it. Followed by an empty wash to rinse. Not sure if this is what stopped the clothes smelling or the fact I have turned the temperature up from 30 to 60 (we use non bio)

rabbit123 · 03/04/2015 15:37

What cycle are you using? If you're using quick wash, try using the longer cottons cycles. Perhaps some things aren't being washed for long enough

Chimichangaz · 04/04/2015 08:37

I had this with my son's school shirts - there was a thread/suggestion I found on here about using Vanish anti-bacterial to pre-soak - I do it every week now, works a treat.

Like the suggestion about cleaning the machine on 90 with a bit of bleach - might try that as the machine gets whiffy.

Stillyummy · 08/04/2015 22:05

Detol laundry cleanser and table dry- I live with a body builder and this really makes his kit last longer. Before that we were having to bin it as it stunk as soon as it was put on and started to warm up.

Original poster
ChillySundays · 09/04/2015 18:41

Always wash on 40 degree cotton wash so never a short cycle

I also regularly run an empty machine on 90

Think I will start with the white vinegar suggestion

Thanks everyone

OP posts:
oute · 09/04/2015 18:46

Banish the liquid an use powder, also for teenager son I use pre wash cycle too, which seem to kill the whiff, also have found the 30 wash for his stuff just doesn't do the job, it has to be a 40 wash.

Superworm · 09/04/2015 19:20

I have tops/dresses that pong - mostly work ones, in a variety of fabrics, so not related to that. I was thinking is have to throw them as they were becoming unwearable.

Tried switching to non-bio powder, napisan, hotter washes. White vinegar sprayed on the armpits left overnight and using Mitchum (sp?) deodorant, problem solved.

Original poster
ChillySundays · 10/04/2015 20:06

I have to use liquid as for some reason if I use powder most it stays in the dispenser

OP posts:
PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 10/04/2015 20:09

Put it straight in the drum then. Smile

mousmous · 10/04/2015 20:12

put the powder directly into drum.
bio work better than non bio and if worried about sensitive skin do an extra rinse.
dry as quick as possible.
vinegar is good and for dh's socks in bad cases we sometimes use a lquid disinfectant in the softener compartment.

rabbit123 · 10/04/2015 23:24

put the powder in the drum before adding the clothes. Follow the dosing instructions on the box and avoid using quick wash for full loads - quick wash is only designed for small loads so it doesn't take in enough water or wash long enough for a full load

Velve · 10/04/2015 23:35

I'm a sweaty person and my sweat really smells, it's gross.
The only thing that works for me is rubbing a paste or bicarb and water onto the sweat stains and leaving it for minimum one hour. Then wash at 40 with 1/2 cup white vinegar in the fabric softener slot. And dry outside if possible.

Original poster
ChillySundays · 14/04/2015 19:51

May sound stupid but never occur to me to powder straight into drum!

OP posts: