The smell of sweat remains after washing? If you're reading this article, this has obviously happened to you! But you'll soon find out what the cause is and how you can deal with it!
Have you ever put on a freshly washed t-shirt and just a few minutes later you smell the sweat without even breaking a sweat! And even if you wash and iron it a second time, the smell of sweat is still there! By now you are probably extremely confused and even annoyed! Don't worry, here you will find the answer to the question - why the smell of sweat remains after washing and what can you do about it?
The smell of sweat remains after washing - what is the cause
You might be surprised to learn that typical underarm sweat and fresh sweat generally don't smell on their own. The smell occurs when sweat comes into contact with bacteria. These bacteria are found on both your body and your clothing. In the presence of moisture, they are activated and bind to the source of moisture (sweat), creating the familiar, unpleasant smell.
This means that if the smell of sweat remains after washing, not all of the bacteria in the washing machine have been removed from your clothes. The reason for this is often regular washing at a temperature of only 30 degrees, but there are other factors that can affect this.
One of them is the synthetic materials from which sportswear is usually made. While these fabrics are great at wicking moisture away from the body, they are not breathable (like cotton, for example), making it difficult for water to properly penetrate them and wash away both the sweat and the bacteria it contains.
The result is a smell of sweat that has nothing to do with how clean your body is or that your clothes were just washed.
Your clothes smell like sweat after washing – what to do
So, your t-shirts smell of sweat after washing – what to do? As we mentioned, certain fabrics, like cotton, tend to retain moisture. Others, like polyester, keep the skin cool and wick moisture through the surface of the fabric. But no matter what material your clothes are made of, it's possible that the stubborn bacteria that cause sweat smell will still be present after a wash. Here you can find out what preventative measures you can take!
Be careful with the detergent
Using more detergent does not necessarily produce a better result. In fact, detergent can be counterproductive if used excessively. Detergents and detergent boosters can leave residues on clothing in which bacteria and thus odors settle. Use the recommended amount of detergent but avoid adding more.
- Tip: Keep your washing machine clean. Sometimes, among other tasks, it's easy to forget that you need to clean your washing machine once a month. Some machines have a self-cleaning function. If your machine doesn't, simply add two cups of distilled white vinegar to the dispenser and run the washer on the hottest setting on a normal cycle.
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Leave out the fabric softener
Like detergent, fabric softeners can leave a layer that can harbor bacteria and unwanted odors over time. We therefore advise you to replace them with essential oils. Here's how to make your own fabric softener without chemical ingredients. Mix 200ml white vinegar, 500ml water and 10 drops of an essential oil of your choice in a glass bottle. We recommend rosemary or lavender oil. When washing, add a capful to the fabric softener compartment.
- Tip: Sweaty clothes should never be placed directly in a closed laundry basket. They should either be washed immediately or allowed to dry thoroughly before throwing them in the laundry basket.
Wash clothes inside out
Since odor-causing bacteria accumulate primarily in sweating areas such as the armpits, it is more effective to wash clothes inside out. In addition, the choice of materials is another way to prevent odor formation in the long term. Choose natural fabrics like silk, cotton and wool.
- Tip: Although it may seem convenient to wash towels, sweatshirts, and jeans together, avoid washing clothes made of different fabrics together.
So, how can you remove the smell of sweat from your clothes? We suggest different home remedy techniques for you to try!
Soak the clothes in vinegar and baking soda
The combination of two basic household products, white vinegar and baking soda, can create aeffective methodto combat odors and bacteria. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer and baking soda has alkaline properties, both of which help deodorize and disinfect clothing.
Before putting clothes in the washing machine, fill the sink or similar sized container with cold water. Then add one cup of white vinegar and one cup of baking soda. Submerge sweat-smelling clothes and allow them to soak for at least 30 minutes before putting them in the wash cycle.
If you don't have time to pre-soak laundry with vinegar and baking soda, simply add a cup of white vinegar directly to the washing machine with the detergent. Don't worry about the smell of vinegar remaining on clothes - it will wash out in the machine.
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The smell of sweat remains after washing - lemon juice comes to the rescue
Does your laundry smell like sweat? Lemon juice can help you with this problem! Just follow these instructions:
- Squeeze the juice from 3 to 4 lemons.
- Mix the juice with two liters of warm water and let the mixture cool.
- Once the smelly clothes have cooled, soak them for at least 30 minutes.
- Rinse them under cold water.
- Hang them outside to dry.
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Salt and mouthwash can kill bacteria
Saltis known for its strong antibacterial effects. It can kill bacteria that could be responsible for the smell of your sweaty clothes. Try this trick to remove the smell of sweat from textiles.
- Pour 100g of salt into a bowl and fill it halfway with warm water.
- Stir to dissolve the salt.
- Soak the affected areas of your sweaty clothes in the solution for at least 20 minutes and then wash them in the washing machine following the instructions we gave you at the top of this article.
The smell of sweat remains after washing - how canMouthwashhelp? Mouthwash has the ability to kill bacteria and neutralize mouth odors. So it makes sense that it does the same thing to the bacteria on clothes that cause unpleasant odors.
- Apply a few capfuls of mouthwash to the areas of your T-shirt or other clothing where the smell of sweat comes from.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Machine wash it as described above.
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Gall soap eliminates unpleasant odors
The smell of sweat remains after washing - it's time to treat the textiles with gall soap. And why? Because it contains active substances that can dissolve bacteria. Simply apply it to the smelly areas with a brush and let it absorb. Then wash again in the washing machine.
Summary: Sweat smell occurs when bacteria and moisture combine. This means that if you put on washed clothes and after a while smell the smell of sweat on you (without having sweated), this is a sure sign that bacteria have remained on your laundry. However, you don't have to resort to chemical solutions to get the problem under control. Not only are they harmful to the environment, but also to your skin. Use the methods, prevention tips and home remedies listed in this article and enjoy fragrant laundry!
