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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

school shirts & armpit smells!

12 replies

passmethebiscuit · 21/07/2024 08:05

Hello, Tell me how to get the teen sweat smell out of white school shirts armpits. Used bio powder and laundry cleanser to no avail really. what can i soak them in over the school holidays save throwing away. TIA !

OP posts:
DancingintheSpoonlight · 21/07/2024 08:22

Spray white vinegar on the area before washing- it helps neutralise it 😊

Soitis83 · 21/07/2024 08:23

Soak them in vinegar for an hour, wash as normal, air outside after and repeat one more time. Should be as new after.

Dilbertian · 21/07/2024 09:05

Halo sports detergent is the most effective. Unfortunately I am allergic to it!

Vinegar is effective, but eventually bleaches the fabric. May not be an issue for white shirts.

Hand sanitiser spray, or any strong alcohol, applied as soon as the garment is taken off, is effective, especially on fresh sweat. Less effective on old, baked-in sweat, but often works after several repeated cycles of wear-spray-wash. Most fabric treatments have to be applied soon before washing. Alcohol can be left on the garment for as long as you like, so the pre-treated garment can sit in the laundry basket until it is washed.

NotSorry · 21/07/2024 09:05

I soak my dh’s sweatbands in water and bicarbonate soda before I wash them - worth a try?

ILoveADoubleEntendre · 21/07/2024 09:11

I use Dettol antibacterial laundry product, you add it to the soft rinse compartment and it gets rid of that smell, I use it for sports wear for the same reason of smelly armpits! It's pretty effective although leaves quite a perfumed smell that I'm not wild about.

EducatingArti · 21/07/2024 09:14

Zoflora, either neat on armpit areas or diluted in a spray bottle. Leave for at least 30 minutes before washing. If you have used it diluted, then it might be better to leave overnight. Make sure the offending area is thoroughly soaked. It will get the smell out, guaranteed!

goingdownfighting · 21/07/2024 09:15

I have a caddy filled with water with a little bleach. The shirts go in there all week then get put in the washing machine on their own wash. White socks go in there too.

dementedpixie · 21/07/2024 09:18

I use dr beckmann spray for sweat/antiperspirant stains. Or try the ace for whites spray (it smells quite bleachy)

passmethebiscuit · 21/07/2024 11:57

ILoveADoubleEntendre · 21/07/2024 09:11

I use Dettol antibacterial laundry product, you add it to the soft rinse compartment and it gets rid of that smell, I use it for sports wear for the same reason of smelly armpits! It's pretty effective although leaves quite a perfumed smell that I'm not wild about.

Yep the Dettol doesnt work! (does on the gym kits not on the teen sweat sadly

OP posts:
stealthsquirrelnutkin · 21/07/2024 13:39

Another vote for Halo sports detergent, it seems to wash the reek out of things found forgotten in gym bags.

dementedpixie · 21/07/2024 13:41

I refuse to buy halo now that it's doubled in price

astarsheis · 21/07/2024 13:55

I use Halo for all our smelly cycling kit, but for the shirts I would maybe try the white vinegar method

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