Nobody likes unpleasant body odors, and if you want to get rid of them, the following hacks can remove sweat smell from clothes. For example, if your gym clothes still stink after a workout, there are some home remedies and methods that can prevent this. Sport definitely has its advantages, but a big disadvantage is sweat. Unfortunately, body odor can stick and linger even after clothes have been washed and dried. Additionally, there are a few things you can do to make such problems go away.
There are many methods thatagainst unpleasant smellsand sweat stains work. Lemon juice, for example, works very well. The high amounts of citric acid can therefore counteract bad body odors. In such cases, you can squeeze several lemons and mix them with warm water. However, you want the mixture to cool before adding the sweaty clothing and leave it on for 30 minutes. You can then rinse these in cold water and hang them up to dry. It is also important to know what exactly can cause body odor.
Body odor is caused by apocrine glands, for example located in your armpits, which release molecules (such as proteins and lipids) that attract bacteria. These bacteria destroy the coating of proteins and release odors. However, body odor is nothing to be ashamed of, but there are ways to limit it. Try oneAntiperspirant or a probiotic deodorantto control the bad smells.
Why body odor sticks to clothes
Body sebum is sticky and builds up in fabrics, making it difficult to remove. Washing clothes in hot water can get rid of sebum, but sportswear is mostly made of synthetics. These materials cannot always be washed in hot water, so the sebum is not always completely removed. Although the material of the garment is part of the problem, the washing method can play a crucial role. Washing your clothes at 32°C with a non-specialized detergent on a regular cycle will not kill bacteria. That's why it's important to know how to remove the smell of sweat from clothes.
Use aspirin and cream of tartar
These home remedies can help get rid of smelly sweat. Cream of tartar, also known as potassium tartrate, is an acidic chemical, making it useful for neutralizing odors. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which is useful for removing sweat stains and odors. To do this, mix three white, uncoated aspirin pills in a cup of warm water. Then add a tablespoon of cream of tartar. Get a nail brush or an old toothbrush and scrub the solution into the sweaty area. Then leave for at least 20 minutes and wash at normal temperature. Repeat the process if the smell persists.
Can lemon juice remove sweat smell from clothes?
If you can regularly buy additional lemons, they are of course ideal for recipes, but also for cleaning. This is again due to the acid it contains, which can effectively neutralize bad odors. Follow these instructions to use lemon juice to eliminate sweat odor:
- Squeeze several lemons.
- Mix the juice with two liters of warm water.
- Allow the solution to cool for a while.
- Soak sweaty clothing in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Then rinse the clothing under cold water.
- Finally, hang the treated laundry outside to dry.
Use baking soda for sweaty clothes
Apparently there's another good reason to buy a big bag of baking soda. Not only can it be used for cleaning, but it also scents clothing, making it ideal for sweat stains. In addition, baking soda brings acid and odor molecules to a neutral state and helps get rid of bad smells. For example, you can make a paste by mixing baking soda and warm water. Simply rub the paste onto the sweaty areas of the garment and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. You can even leave it overnight and then wash it normally.
Salt as a home remedy for sweat odors
Salt is known to have strong antibacterial effects. It can kill the bacteria that may be causing your sweaty clothes to stink. So try the following trick to be able to remove sweat smell from clothes.
- First, pour ½ cup of salt into a large bowl.
- Then fill it half full with warm water.
- Stir to dissolve the salt.
- Soak the affected areas of your sweaty clothing in the solution and then wash as usual.
Can you use vinegar to remove the smell of sweat from clothes?
Distilled white vinegar is a great tool to neutralize all odors, including sweat odors, due to its corrosive properties. Follow these simple steps to get rid of smelly smells.
- Combine one cup of distilled white vinegar with 2 quarts of cold water.
- Soak your affected clothing for 20 minutes.
- Wash normally.
However, you should also note that distilled white vinegar does not have the most pleasant smell. Fortunately, this doesn't remain after you wash the clothes. It may still help to add a few drops of essential oil, such as lemon or tea tree oil.
Treat sweat in clothing with mouthwash
Did you know you can use mouthwash on wash day? It's not widely known, but it works. Mouthwash can kill bacteria and neutralize odors in your mouth, so it makes sense that it would do the same if your clothes smell. To do this, simply pour a few capsules onto the sweaty areas of your clothing and leave for 30 minutes. Finally, wash as usual, but always test on an inconspicuous area of the garment first to make sure it doesn't leave a stain.
More tips against smells in clothes
Although the methods described above are effective, there are a few more tips you could follow. These will help you combat the smell of sweat on your clothes as best as possible. After a workout at the gym or a particularly sweaty day at work, it's best to put your outfit in the washing machine immediately. This stops the bacteria in their tracks so that they do not continue to multiply on the clothing. However, if you can't wash your clothes right away, you can use your freezer. Freezing doesn't kill the bacteria, but it stops their growth. So it's definitely better than leaving your sweaty clothes in your gym bag for a few days before doing the laundry.
Regular detergents contain synthetic fragrances. These actually tend to mask bad smells instead of removing them. When these scents fade, the smell of sweat is still there. However, naturally scented detergents typically use baking soda, which is ideal for removing odors. Also, if you don't use enough detergent, your clothes won't get clean. However, if you use too much, the water will become too thick and it will be more difficult to clean the laundry. When it comes to technology, steam cleaners are great for killing bacteria and freshening clothes. This not only saves you time, but also actually removes the smell of sweat from clothes.
