I am sure you would not like to smell of bad body odor any day. That's just unpleasant and embarrassing. If that wasn't enough, sweat smell in clothes, especially in hot and humid conditions, can be another persistent and irritating problem. Unfortunately, there are situations when sweat odor remains on clothes even after washing and ironing them.
But have you noticed something? This intense, musty, or ammonia-like sweat odor is more noticeable in certain types of clothing - like gym clothes, athletic wear, sports uniforms, socks, and undergarments. These clothes in particular are often made of synthetic fabrics, which trap sweat and moisture between their fibers, resulting in this stinky smell. If left untreated, sweat smells can become deeply ingrained in the fabric of our clothes, making them difficult to remove even with repeated washing.
In this article, we will delve into one of the most common summer pet peeves on how to get rid of sweat smell from your clothes and some effective tips from preventing it from happening again.
Why Remove Sweat Smell from Clothes
Eliminating sweat odor from clothes is important for two main reasons. First and foremost, it helps you to maintain a clean and fresh appearance, which is important in both your personal and professional settings. Sweat smells can be off-putting to others and can even lead to embarrassment and social discomfort.
Secondly, removing sweat smells from your clothes can help to extend the life of your garments by preventing the buildup of bacteria and other odor-causing substances. This means that you can get more use out of your favorite clothes and avoid having to replace them prematurely due to unpleasant smells.
How to Prevent Sweat Smells on Clothes
You might have heard the famous quote, 'Prevention is better than cure'. It can be applied in this scenario as well. Before we get into how to get rid of that pesky sweat smell from your clothes, let's have a look at how to prevent the sweat smell from getting there in the first place.
1. Maintain good hygiene by showering or bathing at least once every day. If possible, use an anti-bacterial soap bar for a clean and thorough wash.
2. After a shower or bath (and also when you plan to go outdoors), spray an antiperspirant or good-quality deodorant directly onto your underarm skin. Antiperspirant deodorants in particular will reduce sweating and also thwart the activity of odor-producing bacteria.
3. Shave your armpit hair and wash your underarms daily. This is said to help prevent the sweat from building up.
4. If you want to prevent yellow or white sweat stains and body odor from getting to your clothes, then wear undershirts or underarm sweat pads.
5. During hot and humid weather, opt for clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, linen, khadi, chambray, silk, bamboo, and jersey wool. These fabrics are more breathable, and both sweat, and bacteria can evaporate easier from their fibers.
How to Get Rid of Sweat Smells from Clothes
1. Air dry smelly clothes
Washing is the best way to get rid of sweat smell from clothes. But before you toss your sweaty or gym clothes in the laundry basket, always turn them inside out, hang them, and allow them to air dry first.
Again, do not keep these sweaty clothes in the laundry basket for long. Wash them thoroughly within a day. or else the moisture (from the sweat) will be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi to thrive on.
2. Pre-treating clothes before washing
Pre-treating clothes before washing is an important step to eliminate smell and stains from clothes. To achieve this, you can add your favorite detergent powder to a bucket of water or washing machine and let your clothes soak for about 30 minutes.
Another good alternative is to use household staples like white vinegar and baking soda. You could make a 1:4 solution of white vinegar and water and presoak your clothes for half an hour. You could also soak your stinky laundry in a bucket of water mixed with 1/2 cup of baking soda for 30 minutes.
* Avoid using vinegar and baking soda together, as both of these ingredients have natural deodorizing properties and will cancel out each other's effect.
The third option is to go for a product that works better than a normal detergent, i.e., a laundry disinfectant. Savlon Laundry Disinfectant and Refreshing Liquid is a perfect example. It not only helps in washing off dirt and grime and leaving a refreshing fragrance on the clothes, but also claims to disinfect clothes by killing 99.9% of odor producing bacteria. It is a definitely a handy product to have for washing your workout clothes, office wear, and even daily clothing (especially when you are unwell).
3. Drying clothes
Drying clothes is an important step in preventing sweat odor from lingering on clothes. Ensure that your washed clothes are completely dry before storing them, as damp or moist clothing can develop a musty odor.
4. Storing clothes
Storing clothes is as important as the above steps, as they prevent odors from developing on clothing. Make sure to store your washed clothes in a dry, cool place that is away from direct sunlight and humidity. Also, avoid keeping clothes in sealed containers, as this can trap moisture and cause bacteria to grow. Instead, opt for breathable storage options such as fabric garment bags or open shelves.
How to Get Sweat Smell Out of Clothes Without Washing
If you are too busy to wash your laundry or want to freshen up your smelly clothes without washing, then there are many ways to do so.
You can spray white vinegar mixed with water or your favorite essential oil mixed with water or a diluted solution of unflavored vodka all over your clothes (especially the underarm region). Also, there are a number of fabric sprays available in the market. The Savlon Clothes Disinfectant and Refreshing Spray for example, can be used to disinfect and refresh your clothes between laundry washes. Just spray it over your clothes, no washing is needed.
After spraying, hang the clothes in the shade or in a well-ventilated area to air out.
By following the above tips, you can get rid of body odor out of clothes and keep them smelling fresh and clean always.
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