How do you get armpits clean on shirts?

[Tygertiger]

I have to use non-bio as bio sets everyone apart from me off in a rash, so that’s the first issue. I’ve tried liquid or powder but however I do it, DH’s shirts still have a deodorant smell when ironed and go yellow under the arms really quickly. He’s tried all kinds of antiperspirants so I think he’s just naturally sweaty. Any good products? I got an armpit short spray from Amazon (Dr Beckmann I think) which did nothing.

I wash teen school shirts (worn under nasty acrylic jumpers and blazers) at a high temperature. Only thing that gets smells out. Does this help with stains too?

Try white vinegar - dash of it under the arms and give it a rub in before the wash.

Dettol laundry is the only detergent I've found that properly lifts the odour.

White vinegar doused on the area before washing helps massively too.

Dry outside whenever possible.

Seconding Dettol laundry.

Another fan of Dettol laundry

Bicarb of soda rubbed into a foam.

DH gets this, crusty armpits, shirts, and tee-shirts.
I make w paste of washing powder and let it soak in for a while. It does help, but following for better ideas.

Halo sports wash is good, but expensive.

Could you run them through a long wash with biological detergent, then wash them again with non bio?

I had a problem with sweaty sports gear, one thing is that I find it's far, far better to wash straight away than to leave it. For me, leaving it results in something that can't be cleaned properly and the smell "sets". If I can, I get sports gear in on the same day- even if it's a "quick wash" cycle- rather than leaving it.

A high temperature is also important for proper cleaning but this depends on the fabric type and most of the sports gear can't take it.

Wash inside out and line dry as much as possible.

Get dh to use dettol soap to remove build up from his body.

I used to get the dettol laundry sanitizer stuff, dilute it into a spray bottle and spray the underarms 30 mins before putting them in the wash with more sanitizer.

But actually getting dh to properly wash with the dettol soap worked wonders!

Spray with a mix of vinegar and water. Leave 10 minutes. Or add half a cup of vinegar to wash drawer.

Soak in napisan overnight (and put some in the wash). Wash with powder on a hot wash. This can affect the colour as it contains bleach so proceed with caution!

Or
Bicarb paste applied to smelly areas and left to soak for a bit.

Or
Pet enzyme spray 😂

There does seem to be some man sweat that is indestructible, however.

Dampen the armpits and rub with a Vanish bar before washing.

bicarb paste rubbed in the offending area and then a high wash.

These things actually work:

Antibacterial hand wash, put a bit direct on arm pit area of shirt with a bit of water and scruff for a minute, wash as normal.

Put shirt in freezer for 24 hours, kills germs that cause smell.

Wash at 40 or above. I switched to 30 a while ago to save energy, did not clean my clothes properly at all!!

I spray underarms with white vinegar before washing, and I also use vinegar instead of fabric softener. Amazon sells 5L bottles.

I tried many many things over the years which did not work. It was the aluminium in the antiperspirant that was causing the stains. He switched to an aluminium free deodorant and we no longer have the problem.

Dettol laundry!

I use oxi action stuff in whites wash and it seems to take away the smell. Not noticed yellowing either on his white shirts - he has had some that've gone threadbare at collar and been binned before they have yellowed

My Mum swears by shampoo for underarms on shirts.

Soak the pits in vinegar for a while then run through the hottest wash you can. After that, use dettol laundry on a regular basis. Can you use bio powder on DH's shirts in a separate wash?

I'd also recommend using soap instead of shower gel in the shower too.

My issue isn't smell. It's white/yellow build up in the armpits, which eventually goes stiff.
DH is very clean and has only ever used proper soap. He's a runner, so he's always in the blooming shower!

Fairy liquid

Thanks all. Going to try some of these.

Def can’t use bio as it sets his skin off (I have tried doing it secretly to see if it was psychosomatic and no, he really does get a rash). Will try Dettol Laundry and then maybe a repeat wash in non-bio after.