T-shirts still smelly after washing

[domesticgodmess]

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.

I had this issue a while back & started washing at 40. It’s helped massively 👍

Are you using enough powder/liquid? Most washing detergent say so much for one wash on the front but that is based upon a small washing machine not an average sized one.

If you live in a hard water area? If so unless using calgon or similar you should use extra detergent.

I found Smol useless on anything that needed a deep clean and went back to more conventional brands.

For DS1’s t-shirts I do them on 60 with a bio powder and that works just fine.

I use soda crystals

Switch to natural deodorant and you won’t have this problem.

If you are interested in more renewable stuff then Splosh do a laundry powder.

A bit of powder alongside liquid is supposed to help. I use coloured liquid for dark washes and have started too put in a small amount of the bio powder I use for whites and it really does seem to get rid of the musty smell I got with the liquid on its own.

Switch to bar soap if using shower gel. We did a few years ago and we haven't had any body odour since. Even after exercising or on hot days.

@Miniroofbox

Can you update if the dettol makes a difference op?

Will do but it will have to be tomorrow, I just got back from the supermarket now. There were shortages in most aisles but I managed to get Daz bio powder and Tesco version of laundry cleanser. No Halo or similar.

@Theunamedcat I haven't been ironing these t-shirts but will give that a try. I actually threw out a few shirts before because they smelled okay and then when I ironed the underarm area I could smell sweat.

I used two capsules, I usually use the maximum dose of any detergent as the water is hard. I had squirted some liquid soap on the armpits but not given them a good old scrub.
DH was a bit embarrassed as he was going to do the ironing and I said his stuff needs washed again but I have blamed the detergent.

I agree with dettol laundry. Read about it on MN.

I find the dettol stuff makes the whole load smell musty. I find that if I use biological powder and the hygeine steam wash on my washer it gets the stink out of my DH t shirts.

Thanks for the Splosh recommendation @cheeseismydownfall (it's my downfall too!).

I use bar soap, we've been making the switch to try to use less plastic but DH has been using up the manly shower gel.
I'm on a declutter mission and gave shower gels to a local refuge but not the men's ones.

A fistful of washing soda crystals along with the powder does the trick! Softens the water and cleans the machine as it washes too. You can soak clothes also as a pre wash. It is odourless, and I swear by it myself, but I don't have anyone here that uses smelly men deodorants!

Worth a try though, it is so inexpensive, so if it doesn't work for you no real harm done, and you can use the crystals for other things around the house.

I like the Dettol that’s the unscented one and persil powder never a liquid unless I’m washing wool etc then I’ll use Ecover delicates liquid . Also oxi powder on whites

I just spray the armpits with Tesco's version of Vanish spray.

I read about using dettol laundry detergent on mumsnet after having the same problem. It works so well, I never have any problems with smelly clothes anymore.

@AwkwardSquad

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

Yes this is what I use - proud owner of two sweaty teenage boys

Well thankfully a combination of soaking in some water with Daz powder and rubbing some powder on the armpits, then washing with Daz, Dettol laundry cleanser and white vinegar in the softener drawer means the t-shirts smell super fresh. Will still keep an eye out for Halo, I think the targeted approach is good.

That deodorant smells so strong (L'Oréal men expert) I have given strict instructions to wait a while after spraying. Or preferably buy something else!

DS's white school shirts used to do get a build up of deodorant at the armpit. I soaked them in bleach and then used neat washing up liquid on the affected area before putting in the wash. It worked really well. Obviously can't use bleach if coloured but try soaking in washing detergent and then pour washing up liquid on the stained area and rub before washing.

I decant some cheap vodka into a spray bottle & then spray the underarm area of any polyester/man made fibre clothes with it.
Gets rid of any funky smells.
I also use Smol bio liquid tabs or Ariel powder & washing smells lovely.

Meant to add that I got the vodka tip from MN years ago

Grangers Sports Wash