Smelly Armpits and Laundry

[MyMumTracyBeaker]

I tend to wash most of the laundry at 40 degrees with Surf powder in the compartment and white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer.

Lately dc armpits seem to have been particularly whiffy - they wash every day and use deodorant, but I guess it's just their bodies going through hormonal changes. Also a problem with dh and his shirts.

The smell is still there after washing. I'm going to go and buy some of that Dettol laundry cleanser and have started doing a pre-wash with a bit of detergent too. Also sprayed the armpits with some Vanish Oxy-Action before washing. I hate using all of these chemicals though! Just put a wash on at 60 degrees to see if it makes a difference, but I'm a bit worried about shrinking the clothes!

Can anyone give me advice on how I can get rid of these smells please?

Halo sports wash, if big box powders aren’t helping.

No fabric conditioner
Bio powder (I use it straight in the drum)
Tip the dettol stuff straight on armpits of affected clothing then soak in some water before washing with a bit more of the dettol stuff

Never fails me! Oh I do it at 40c and it's fine

Dettol anti bac laundry liquid.
I thought it was a con for germphobics. But it works

I found using the Dettol laundry cleanser has really helped, I use a bit of that mixed with Comfort, and then our normal washing powder. I still wash on 30 and DHs shirts are loads better now.

I soak smelly / sweaty sports' kit in a basin of a solution of cold water and white vinegar (really cheap, in the cleaning products aisle) for 30-60 minutes before washing, and also any shirts with smelly armpits. Makes a big difference.

Biological Persil. Works a treat for this.

YY to halo and Dettol.

But also if you're using shower gel to wash, switch to bar soap.

how old is dc and do they actually use soap to wash?

I also had the same problem and after trying many things Dettol stuff was excellent. Along with changing to soap rather than shower gel. And natural deodorant

Thanks everyone. I'll try spraying the armpits with white vinegar or the Dettol solution then soaking before washing and see if that works. I get 20 litres of white vinegar at a time from Amazon .

Dc are teenager and tween and everyone uses bar soap - they just tend to smell as soon as they sweat. Tween in particular seems to like running around straight after his bath or shower! They throw their clothes in the wash every day. I'm a bit worried about someone saying something cruel to them at school.

Chocito, how much vinegar to water do you use?

Doesn't vinegar erode the pipes in the washing machine? Genuine question btw.

Are they using antiperspirant rather than deodorant?

My 14yo Ds's shirts and t shirts absolutely stink after he's worn them, poor boy! The only thing that's worked for us is bio powder, not liquid, washing at 50 or 60 as 40 won't cut it and Dettol laundry cleanser (also used Sainsbury's own version which worked great too and is cheaper). If they are particularly stinky, soaking them in bio overnight before washing has worked well.

KRAMum I have heard that it does, but then it is also recommended instead of fabric conditioner! Our old washing machine lasted for around 12 years so I'm hoping that in such dilute quantities it won't make too much difference to the pipes.

DementedPixie yes, anti-perspirant, not deodorant.

I spray enzyme cleaner (for pet urine etc) on the armpits. I read the tip here once I think. It works brilliantly. I usually just throw the clothes straight in the machine but if I'm feeling organised I hang the clothes over something to dry out first.

I have to be careful what I use due to allergies and ezcema and I use Napisan on all the shirt/gym kit washes, kills the sweat smell and doesn't provoke ezcema in me or DS - I assume it's kinder on skin because it's aimed at babies and nappies.

Halo is what we use for sports kit (non bio) and any wiffy other clothes.

Mitchum stick antiperspirant is the best we've found for older kids and teens

Another vote for Halo! My husband does a lot of sport and cycles to work every day. He is a natural over-sweater and his sports wear stinks. I tried loads of stuff including dettol fabric liquid and could still smell stale sweat after washing. But Halo is amazing and the smell goes completely.

I don't measure the quantity of white vinegar perfectly. Probably about 25-30ml into a half to two-thirds filled sink of cold water. I rinse the clothes in cold water (briefly) before putting them into the washing machine so I think the amount of vinegar that would get into the pipes is minimal. I hadn't heard about it potentially damaging them, though, so thanks for that advice.

Thanks for the Halo recommendation - will give it a go.

I find soda crystals really effective, I just add some in with my powder

Dr Beckmann does a spray specifically for smelly armpits as I bought some today

Thanks for all of the recommendations - got some Halo today in Sainsbury's and I've currently got a whiffy wash in at 40 degrees with Halo and Dettol.

I also wondered if anyone had tried the HG Odour Remover?

www.homecareessentials.co.uk/products/hg-detergent-additive-against-unpleasant-odours-in-sports-clothing-500g/133050106

I quite like their products so was thinking of trying it.

Thanks again.