Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Those bits under the arms of DH's shirts - how to rid?

58 replies

LittleMissMac · 19/03/2008 19:41

I wash DH's shirts at 40 in non-bio, and they all - even the reasonably new ones - get those nasty hard sweaty bits under the arms that just don't shift with normal washing.

DH is allergic to bio powder. What else can I use to rid us of this unpleasantness - is there an amazing natural remedy like bicarb or vinegar?

OP posts:
LLD · 19/03/2008 20:51

Get a Stanley knife and very gently slice out the offending parts of his armpits.

TurkeyLurkey · 19/03/2008 20:51

Where can I get Napisan from? Do wilkos sell it or Boots? Do you soak and then stick them in the wash as normal?

Do tell!!!!

Original poster
LittleMissMac · 19/03/2008 20:52

It has never occurred to me to separate my smalls. Am I minging?

OP posts:
PotPourri · 19/03/2008 20:52

Just had another brain wave - borax (you can get in boots). Think you soak in a bucket before putting in washing machine. I've only ever given a shake in the drum for really mucky or smelly clothes - does seem to work quite well, but I also put on superwash, so it could be that.

God, are we a bit sad to be having such an in-depth discussion like this? Maybe, but I'm still lovin it!

TurkeyLurkey · 19/03/2008 20:54

Has anyone ever tried Soda Crystals..think they're called that..saw 'em in Wilkos the other day, they were only 52p..would they do the job?

Walnutshell · 19/03/2008 20:54

in these situations it may be deemed more efficient to rid yourself of dh and find a less sweat-prone model

eekamoose · 19/03/2008 20:55

Don't think so LMMac - I am uptight. But get results .

flatmouse · 19/03/2008 20:59

Napisan etc gets rid of crustiness? Excellent, will try - but does it also get rid of yellow discolouration?

cmotdibbler · 19/03/2008 21:01

You can get it in Boots, Sainsbos, Waitrose and Asda. Possibly Superdrug too.

For minging stuff I soak and then wash as normal, but routinely I put some in with all white or light washes. And in with the nappy wash.

In this house the only wash at 60 is pooey nappies, and I'll do tea towels in with all sorts of other stuff.

Walnutshell · 19/03/2008 21:03

but not tea towels in with pooey nappies...?

cmotdibbler · 19/03/2008 21:05

No. Bath mats, yes, as long as its not awful ones, but I do draw the line somewhere.

Umlellala · 19/03/2008 21:05

I have just been experimenting with one fairy non-bio tablet and a handful of soda crystals. Seems to work as well/better as two non-bio tablets did... (we wash at 50 degrees usually cos it takes 1hr rather than the 1hr 45 - and scary super spin -for the 40 degree wash)

White stuff periodically gets a 90 degree and some vanish/biotex.

Everything gets chucked in together though - knickers, poo-marked baby clothes and all...

eekamoose · 19/03/2008 21:09

I trust those pooey nappies are in a wash of their own? And have been soaked/rinsed first as appropriate? Otherwise I'll be awake all night worrying.

Kindersurpise · 19/03/2008 21:16

Just reflecting on the fact that I am sitting discussing laundry and how to get rid of smelly DHs.

What a fascinating life we lead, eh? Party party party.

Walnutshell · 19/03/2008 21:17

cmot, you are just being faddy

Walnutshell · 19/03/2008 21:18

but kinder what else do we women have to bother our little heads with?

allgonebellyup · 19/03/2008 21:19

Get him to wash his own bleeding shirts?????

Walnutshell · 19/03/2008 21:22

if his shirts are bleeding you will need a good pre-wash stain remover

SlartyBartFast · 19/03/2008 21:24

speak for yourself.
my head is not little

i often use soda crystals,
value for money.

Twigy · 19/03/2008 21:28

Havent bothered to read all this thread but soak in white vinegar. Then wash it properly

Kindersurpise · 19/03/2008 21:39

Oh, he has started washing his own shirts, muttering about bloody MN as he does so.

Walnutshell · 19/03/2008 22:06

slarty, can you move your ginormous bonce a minute so I can get to the cheapo soda crystals?

cmotdibbler · 20/03/2008 08:39

Eekamoose -well, I do scrape them off a bit. Nothing worse than raisins in the door seal. But no soaking, and they obv go in with other nappies.

I've just put a wash on of nappies (all had liners so thats OK), vests, and DHs white t shirts that were lurking upstairs. Don't tell him - for some reason he objects to his clothes going in with nappies, although will happily put DS's in.

Original poster
LittleMissMac · 23/03/2008 20:49

I know you've been waiting eagerly, nay agog, for results of the great crusty shirt experiment.

Owing to being ahead with the washing (!), I have only had one affected garment to play with, so the experiment will come to you in several parts.

Instalment one
Method: Soak for several hours in Napisan and then wash.
Result: NOTHING! No change. Rien. Nada. Crustiness remains intact.

Bolleaux.

Next instalment: out with the vinegar. Hold onto your pants, girls, this one could run and run...

OP posts:
BibiThree · 23/03/2008 20:51

bibi gives an appreciative and thankful