sweat smell on blouses after washing

[nuttybananas]

They are mostly cotton - a few poly/cotton mixes, and generally get washed at 40, the occasional 60.
This seems to be enough to get rid of any visible stain, and when I bring them in from the line they don't smell particularly. But I get a whiff of bo smell when I iron them although it seems to dissipate when they cool down and are hung up
What can I do about this - am a bit paranoid because I think when I'm wearing them my heat 'reactivates' the smell quicker than a brand new blouse - so I think they're not washing out properly.
I haven't done 90 degree washes because a few are coloured or stripy and worried about ruining them.
Any tips - thanks?

I can't help but I'm watching for those who can - I'm on the verge of throwing out a favourite work dress for exactly this reason.

I put Epsom salts in with the wash. They aren't cheap but it works.

I have used dettol laundry cleanser on DH's work shirts and it works at treat at getting rid of the bacteria in the fabric that cause the smell.
I find it useful also for sports clothing and baby/ pet uses.

You only need to wash on a 40 degree wash and it works.

zoflora in the fabric softener bit of the machine helps too (when washing the clothes)

Or bicarb of soda...

DM's tried and tested method is to 'Strip wash' them at 40 with no washing powder or softener, just a cupful of white vinegar (or the dettol stuff, but vinegar cheaper). If you can iron them, steam the armpits.

Didn't know about Epsom salts. Might try that next time.

Another vote for Dettol. I can wash husband's v stinky cycling gear at 30 and it comes out smelling lovely.

Or soak them first in water and sterilising tablets .

Are you using washing liquid instead of powder? We were getting whiffy shirts & I read somewhere that liquids don't contain bleaches so can cause this. We switched back to powder (Persil Bio Colour) and it seems to have sorted it.

I use sports wash (asda or tesco own brand) in the prewash and wash at 40°, it works a treat on teenage boy fusty sheets too.

Yes, i used to use sports wash, but now use dettol as it seems to do a better job, and is cheaper. It is always on offer, v good product though.

Thanks all - use powder tablets so no liquid issue - hated the stuff when I tried it - felt like it left residue over clothes!
I've got some zoflora so will give that a try on the next laundry load, but will add the Dettol cleanser to my shopping list for the next big shop.

Napisan in the wash. Sorts it.

Tried napisan as well, but expensive, and dettol works as well

I use tea tree oil and soda crystals in every wash, it works on our stinky stuff.

Yep, napisan is what I use on DH's sports kits and it works.

Napisan and detol have saved me from binning a lot of gym kits.

I stopped using fabric softner and found this stopped. I was told that fabric softner traps smells in clothes... Not sure if its true but it seems to have worked.

Dab the area with vodka on a cotton wool ball! Heard about that for dry clean only jackets when it would take too long to get them cleaned. The alcohol kills the bacteria, then evaporates and doesn't leave a smell.
I think most people would rather drink it than clean with it, though!

Another vote for Napisan!

Dust bunny - Persil bio powder will still not contain bleach as it's a powder designed for colours, but if it's working, then great. But your advice is correct, in general, liquids don't perform as well as powders.

Yy to vinegar/bicarb, both of these have excellent deodorising properties. Also Napisan and detol will work. But IIRC the bleach content in Napisan is high, so colours may fade quicker.

Sorry , Persil *colour not bio

Another vote for vinegar for removing smells and yes Napisan is the one that always works on shirts.

I've tried all the cheaper options and find dettol.is by far the best for This problem.