Getting BO out of fabric

[StrawberryEater]

My husband ran out of deodorant a couple of weeks ago and now his shirts (mostly linen) really smell. Ran them through the wash at 40 with bio washing powder and they smelt fine, but when he wore one again - this time with deodorant - as he heated up the smell returned. So I fear it’s just in the fabric now.

Any tips or tricks to fix this please?

Steam setting on the washer, or dettol wash additive

I spray with white vinegar

Doesn’t this make the clothes smell of vinegar?

Op white vinegar spray from home bargains, spray on armpits leave for half hour and pop into normal wash. Comes out smelling good as new and no it does not leave a vinegar smell at all.

This

Sorry to add no amount of hot washing or washing powder will remove this smell, the vinegar works perfectly.

I know this isn't the point but how could he go without deodorant for 2 entire weeks instead of just buying some? Are there no shops where you live? 🤔

I know I know I know!!!!!

spray with vodka

100% works - my old neighbour was a seamstress and she gave me this tool years ago. The alcohol evaporates or something I'm not sure how it works but you can use it on delicate fabrics. If it doesn't then just drink the vodka

edited to say I used it on an old
leather jacket I got on the armpits and it worked an absolute dream.

Yes to white vinegar. Then wash as normal afterwards.

Or a laundry sanitiser like Dettol or supermarket own brand. But that tends to leave a scent (not BO).

@FictionalCharacter I wondered that! Two weeks without deodorant, especially in the summer, is revolting.

OP didn’t say he didn’t wear deodorant for 2 weeks but that he ran out a couple of weeks ago. Maybe he wore a couple of shirts from that time and has just gone to re wear them?

I completely agree! We have both been working slightly mad hours recently and so he kept forgetting and I wasn’t around much to notice.

To be clear, I won’t be sorting this out for him - will be telling him your tips and he can do it. Consequences of one’s actions etc etc!

Sorry, to be clear, he didn’t go without deodorant for a full 2 weeks, but it probably was a week before he got round to buying more.

Another option is to make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and a little bit of water, rub it into the underarms and leave for a couple of hours. I alternate that with white vinegar sprays to detox ds’s vile t shirts.

I do wonder why MN keeps an archive of every thread ever posted on here! And why people aren't prepared to use the search function.

To be clear, I won’t be sorting this out for him - will be telling him your tips and he can do it. Consequences of one’s actions etc etc!

Excellent prescience OP. That was exactly my question!

I did use the search function. It didn’t throw up any relevant threads. In fact, I find the search function on the app rather poor in general.

But regardless, what is it to you? Such a weird thing to be snippy about.

Such a weird thing to be snippy about.

Are you new?

Sorry I should have said before washing.

No - but plainly not sufficiently jaded!

Well I'm snippy I didn't get thanks for my vodka tip

✂️

That’s what they use on costumes at the theatre! Can’t wash them between shows so they spray them with vodka.

Haven’t tried vinegar but I agree that a paste of bicarb left on for a couple of hours works brilliantly

Ha! How about a written thanks instead of a
one click one? Does that make up for it?

Surely I can't be the only one recognising the irony of a couple of women having a go, on a thread dedicated to cleaning!