Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

T-shirts still smelly after washing

47 replies

domesticgodmess · 28/08/2021 07:57

I've washed some polo shirts at 40° as per the label, on a wash cycle that takes close to two hours, but the armpit area is still smelly. I used Smol non bio.
Not sure if I will be able to scrub or soak to get the smell out. It's a mix of sweat and deodorant. Men's quite strong smelling spray deodorant if that makes a difference.

Would rather rewash than rag bag or cut up into cloths. Can anyone advise a product or had any success with bicarb or something? Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
domesticgodmess · 28/08/2021 07:59

Sorry I've checked the box and it is Smol biological laundry capsules, not non-bio.

OP posts:
HarkeyQuim · 28/08/2021 08:01

I use dettol laundry liquid for school shirts and that’s made a big difference.

Queenoftheashes · 28/08/2021 08:02

Yeah dettol

Geamhradh · 28/08/2021 08:02

An anti-bac additive might work.
But dp's coloured polo shirts get done at 60 with powder.

FiveGs · 28/08/2021 08:05

Try powder not capsules.

vitaminC · 28/08/2021 08:06

A scoop of vanish in the drum with the clothes usually sorts that, even at 30°.
And use white vinegar instead of fabric softener.

AwkwardSquad · 28/08/2021 08:11

Try Halo sports wash and rub a little into the armpit area.

AwkwardSquad · 28/08/2021 08:12
  • Gently rub - don’t be too fierce or it’ll damage the fabric
Angel2702 · 28/08/2021 08:13

Soak the armpit in white vinegar and bicarbonate before washing and use white vinegar in the softener drawer. Then hang in the sun as UV will help kill any residual bacteria which is what causes the smell.

You can get a sports wash spray you put on 24 hours before you wash to remove the smell but I find it is no different to using bicarbonate and vinegar.

SharpLily · 28/08/2021 08:13

Spray white vinegar onto the armpit area before washing.

AwkwardSquad · 28/08/2021 08:18

Try all of the tips at the same time and see if the polo shirts spontaneously combust? #notagoodhousekeepingtip

purplesequins · 28/08/2021 08:25

bio powder works better thanliquid/capsules.
I agree with dettol in the softener compartment.
or white vinegar.
or soak in a bucket of cold water& bio powder before washing.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 28/08/2021 08:27

I bought a laundry cleanser anti bacteria liquid and found that helped on sportswear.

TheFairyCaravan · 28/08/2021 08:31

Most supermarkets do their own brand laundry cleanser now that are a fraction of the price of Dettol and just as good I find. If I run out I put a capful of Zoflora in with the fabric softener. None of DS1’s sports or army kit smells and he sweats like mad.

PivotPivotPivottt · 28/08/2021 08:32

Try powder I knew you'd say you were using capsules. I don't use anything else now as I found capsules and gel left clothes smelling sweaty. Also liquid would make certain materials dry with a funny smell. Not a machine problem as I've had several machines over the years and on the odd occasion I decide to try something other than powder I find the same problem.

Ameanstreakamilewide · 28/08/2021 08:33

Wash them at 60.

I have the same issue with my my husband's work tops and a 60 degree wash is the way forward. 👍

FlyingScott · 28/08/2021 08:33

Are the shirts a cotton/polyester mix? Polyester seems to encourage sweating.

GoodnightGrandma · 28/08/2021 08:35

Biological powder.

BakewellGin1 · 28/08/2021 08:39

Dettol Laundry Cleanser and a Scoop of Vanish (to minimise any sweat staining on sports clothing) seem to help..
DH work clothes go through with laundry cleanser, fabric conditioner and a large scoop of washing powder (they stink due to environment he is in)

Original poster
domesticgodmess · 28/08/2021 08:58

Thank you all, I didn't expect so much help.

I will go back to powder, was trialling those capsules to be a bit greener but we have very hard water and I think powder is best.

I do have Dettol laundry cleanser (it was on offer cheaper than the Tesco own brand!) which I usually use for the bedding but will rewash these t-shirts with some of that after a bit of a soak for good measure.

Some of them are cotton and polyester mix as a PP says the material doesn't help.

I've just put the sheets in so will give me time to soak the t-shirts and hopefully they'll be smelling much fresher later.

OP posts:
Original poster
domesticgodmess · 28/08/2021 09:03

@AwkwardSquad

Try all of the tips at the same time and see if the polo shirts spontaneously combust? #notagoodhousekeepingtip
Well if they spontaneously combust I guess there will be a charred smell rather than sweaty!

I do plan to combine a few of the tips rather than trying one thing at a time and wsshing the same tops many times!

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/08/2021 13:26

Do you hot iron inside your armpits? (On the tshirts i mean not YOUR ARMPITS) I noticed an improvement with dds tshirts when I did that I read it somewhere

Chicchicchicchiclana · 28/08/2021 13:29

Before washing, turn t shirts inside out. Wet armpit area with cold water. Rub in anti bacterial soap (I use a bar of Dettol soap for this) or liquid handwash or anti bac washing up liquid. Wash with powder rather than a capsule. Will help a lot.

Miniroofbox · 28/08/2021 13:42

Can you update if the dettol makes a difference op?

Purpletomato · 28/08/2021 13:48

Napisan.