Washing smelly football tops

[HumanLeagues]

My partner has a few football tops which I suspect are polyester but can’t find any labels. They all smell awful!

I’ve read white vinegar might help with this, but do I put it in the drum alongside my usual detergent pod, or should I put it in the drawer? And how much roughly? I’ll also be adding some softener.

Additionally, I was going to whack all the tops in together. They’re mostly red and white, but there’s a light blue one and a yellow one. Would the white vinegar increase the chance of colour runs? I’m doing them in their own wash to keep them from contaminating the rest of our clothes 😂 but don’t want to be wasteful and run a single wash purely for the yellow one and one for the blue

1. Add the vinegar in with the detergent, I usually put in the detergent drawer at the start of a wash (or in the pre wash dispenser in the drawer if you're using a powder in the main one). You can also add it instead of softener in that dispenser but that's not what you need in this case.

1. You will probably get better results soaking the tops in a bucket with a vinegar/water solution for an hour or so first.

1. Yes vinegar will make it more likely the colours will run so keep separate.

1. Never use softener on sports wear, it clings to the fabric and creates a layer that stops them being able to absorb moisture as well and can trap in smells and make it harder to get them properly clean. I never use softener on anything but that's another debate.

1. Make sure you're using a Bio detergent, preferably one that's designed for sportswear/odours. I've had good results with the Ariel active pods.

1. Bicarbonate of soda is really good for smells too, soak with water & bicarb and add some to the wash. But don't mix it with vinegar because they neutralise eachother to make water! Bicarb is less likely to make your colours run.

@dbeuowlxb173939 thanks for your reply, we use detergent pods in the drum of the machine so would maybe add the vinegar to the drawer? we also use non-bio pods now as my partner has sensitive skin and we’re also expecting a baby so it’s for convenience - will heed your advice though and leave the softener out and do them separately!