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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

When sweat smell gets in new clothes?!

23 replies

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 10/02/2018 17:25

Mostly this doesn't happen to me. I am very clean,
I don't have bad b.o. I promise.
Just bought a new expensive dress (quite thick / tight material) - and my armpits have sweated into it & can't get the smell out! I love the dress. So annoyed!
How do I get rid of it??? Help mumsnet Confused

OP posts:
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 10/02/2018 18:33

Anyone??? Hmm

OP posts:
ronniebarkersauntie · 10/02/2018 18:39

This has happened to a few of my things - some quite new. It’s really annoying - and I don’t understand why it’s some clothes and not others - can’t see any really link.
I have had success sprinkling the inside of the armpits liberally with bicarbonate of soda, then spraying with plenty of white vinegar and leaving to bubble up, then rub the paste into the fabric and wash the item as hot as the label allows. Sadly, the smell does tend to eventually return, but if you keep on treating it like this, it’s at least wearable. Good luck.

Haggisfish · 10/02/2018 18:41

Only way I have found is to wash in sixty degrees, regardless of label.

Mrsjellybum · 10/02/2018 18:44

Don't use fabric softener. Something about it holding the smell in.

I scrub the armpit area with a handful of vanish or the stain remover powder stuff and leave for 15 mins before washing.

Husband uses lots and lots of deodorant which marks the underarms and eventually has the same problem

GreenTulips · 10/02/2018 18:44

Tea tree oil in the wash
Sunshine also rids smells

pinktransit · 10/02/2018 18:45

Soaking in napisan works - obviously depends on the fabric, but for sports gear, cheap tshirts I've found it works really weell

PlaymobilPirate · 10/02/2018 18:46

Dip the stains in cheap vodka then bung on a normal wash.

MrsRoyCropper · 10/02/2018 18:48

Use white vinegar on the stained area and let it sink in for a while, before washing as hot in bio powder as possible.

dairyfarmerswife · 10/02/2018 18:58

I've used antibacterial surface spray before now for this type of thing - the clear stuff, dettol or supermarket own brand

HidCat · 10/02/2018 19:30

I second the vodka trick. Worked as a wardrobe assistant for a while and this was used regularly.

ChishandFips33 · 10/02/2018 19:57

White vinegar sprayed on and in place of fabric conditioner in the wash. Don't worry though, you'll not smell like a chip shop!

GummyGoddess · 10/02/2018 21:03

Wash on a higher temperature. I've found if I wash my clothes at 40 or under then they smell horrible, even though I as a person do not smell. I assume that whatever bacteria it is that lives in my sweat is really productive!

TheFillijonk · 10/02/2018 21:29

Dettol antibacterial laundry cleanser in the wash ... it's magic!

Longdistance · 10/02/2018 21:32

As above. Any old vodka will do. Soak the arm pit of the top, and leave for a few hours. Bing into the washing machine, and the smell should go.

The alcohol kills the bacteria (smell) that’s trapped.

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 10/02/2018 21:43

Ooo I forgot snot that Dettol stuff great idea!! Grin

OP posts:
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 10/02/2018 21:43

Forgot ABOUT (Ffs 🙄)

OP posts:
SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 10/02/2018 21:45

And thanks for all the other ideas! Will try them if the Dettol fails. It's so odd. Has just happened with this one new dress.

OP posts:
Mrsrochesterscat · 10/02/2018 21:47

I’ve found if we use anything other than Ariel then we get armpit smells. Every few washes we add a scoop of vanish. Since discovering this we mainly wash at 20 degrees (couldn’t have gone lower than 40 before!). Oh and we use fabric softener.

user1471451866 · 10/02/2018 21:50

A good soak in fairy liquid seems to work. Has to be fairy though.

Justjadet · 11/02/2018 09:17

This reply has been deleted

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RubberJohnny · 11/02/2018 09:25

Biological washing powder at low temp. The enzymes are deactivated at 40 deg c rendering it useless. It will remove the smell.

wonkylegs · 11/02/2018 10:00

This stuff works really well on DHs shirts / jumpers etc to get the smell out www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/product/stain-devils-antiperspirant-sweat-marks-250ml/

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