How to Get Sweat Smells and Body Odor Out of Clothes | Tide (2024)

No one likes the smell of sweat on their clothes. Whether it’s from the aftermath of a workout session, riding your bike to work, or just a hot day, removing sweat smells from clothes can be a laundry nightmare.

The good news is you can get your garments back to their original freshness with our easy laundry tips. Read on to learn how to remove perspiration odor from clothes!

Why Does My Shirt Smell When I Sweat?

Sweating, an action produced by your eccrine and apocrine glands, is a natural part of the body’s processes, and the smell is part of the package. In fact, in its effort to help you cool down, the human body secretes a liter per day -even without working out! That’s a lot of sweat, and your clothes will absorb most of it. As the sweat components break down, this can lead to unpleasant odors forming on your clothes. And, if you don’t get rid of the sweat smell from your garments effectively, it can build up over time, resulting in a closet full of clothes that still smell of sweat even after washing.

How to Get Sweat Smells and Body Odor Out of Clothes | Tide (2024)

FAQs

How to Get Sweat Smells and Body Odor Out of Clothes | Tide? ›

To remove body odour from your clothes, they need air to dry out fully first. If they are put into an enclosed space when damp, the odour can't escape and can remain even after being washed.

How to get rid of the smell of body odor on clothes? ›

How to Get a Sweaty Smell Out of Clothes
  1. Fill a bowl half full with warm water.
  2. Add a glass of vinegar.
  3. Put dirty laundry in the bowl to soak for an hour.
  4. Afterward, wash your clothes as usual in the washing machine.
Apr 7, 2022

Why do my clothes still smell of bo after washing? ›

To remove body odour from your clothes, they need air to dry out fully first. If they are put into an enclosed space when damp, the odour can't escape and can remain even after being washed.

How to get bad smells out of clothes? ›

Use Clorox® Laundry Sanitizer*, which kills the smelly bacteria that's stuck in your clothes.
  1. Put your smelly laundry in the machine.
  2. Pour Clorox® Laundry Sanitizer into your fabric softener compartment.
  3. Wash laundry with your favorite detergent as usual.

How to remove body odor permanently? ›

The following suggestions may help:
  1. Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
  2. Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
  3. Try relaxation techniques. ...
  4. Change your diet.

How do you get body odor out of fabric? ›

Adding half a cup or so of white distilled vinegar (while running through a regular wash cycle) can make all the difference by eliminating smells like body odor from laundry detergent buildup. It also leaves behind no scent as standard fabric softeners do!

How do I get my clothes to smell really good? ›

How Can You Make Your Laundry Smell Good?
  1. Deodorize With Baking Soda. Baking soda is a great way to deodorize your laundry. ...
  2. Clean Your Washing Machine. ...
  3. Do Smaller Loads of Laundry. ...
  4. Use Scent Boosters. ...
  5. Choose the Right Detergent. ...
  6. Pre-Treat Any Stains. ...
  7. Don't Let Wet Clothes Sit. ...
  8. Try Scented Dryer Balls.
Feb 4, 2024

Why do I still smell like BO after a shower and deodorant? ›

Most people do not pay enough attention to their armpits in the shower, resulting in bacteria lingering in the armpits. In addition to bacteria, oftentimes there is deodorant residue and other impurities that are trapped in the underarm pores and within the hair if you have armpit hair.

How do I stop my BO from smelling? ›

Do
  1. wash your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap and dry thoroughly.
  2. shave your armpits regularly.
  3. use antiperspirants and deodorants.
  4. change and wash your clothes regularly.
  5. wear natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk.
  6. wear antibacterial socks.

Can you use vinegar and laundry detergent together? ›

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

What is the best odor eliminator? ›

Compare
ProductsProduct LinksEffectiveness
Best Overall: Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag$39 at Amazon5/5
Best for Bathrooms: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray$10 at Amazon5/5
Best for Fabric Upholstery: Febreze Fabric Refresher$15 at Amazon5/5
Best for Refrigerators: Ellis Harper Fridge Ninja Deodorizer$20 at Amazon5/5
4 more rows
Jan 9, 2024

What soap gets rid of old people's smell? ›

Nonenal, Odor Eliminating Soap – Mirai Clinical.

How do you get the smell out of clothes in 5 minutes? ›

For clothes that smell musty but don't need laundering yet, my go-to trick is vinegar and baking soda. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, mist the garments thoroughly, and let sit 5 minutes.

How to get rid of bo smell in clothes? ›

Combining two household staples—white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda—can be a powerful, odour-fighting method. White vinegar is a natural deodoriser and bicarbonate of soda has alkaline properties, both of which help deodorise and sanitise clothes.

What naturally kills body odor? ›

How do you get rid of body odor naturally?
  • Baking soda: Make a paste using baking soda and water. ...
  • Green tea: Put green tea bags in warm water. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar: Mix apple cider vinegar with a small amount of water in a spray bottle. ...
  • Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle.
Mar 4, 2022

How to get bo smell out of clothes without washing? ›

  1. #1: Hang Them - The simplest and oldest trick in the book! ...
  2. #2: Steam Them - Steaming is not just for wrinkles – it's also a fantastic way to eliminate odours from your clothes. ...
  3. #3: Lemon Juice - Harness the natural power of lemons to banish stubborn odours. ...
  4. #4: Freeze Them - Yes, you read that right!

Why does my bum smell even after washing? ›

Although it's not a typical symptom, a bad odor can be a symptom of hemorrhoids. A bad smell can also be a symptom of anal leakage, an infection, or the result of pain keeping you from cleaning your anus completely.

Can you smell body odor through clothes? ›

Refraining from regular bathing can lead to dirt, sweat, and dead skin cell buildup that leads to strong smells through your clothes. You can reduce these effects by showering regularly and washing with mild soap and warm water.

How to remove nonenal odor from clothes? ›

Although washing the senior's bedding and clothes will not remove the body odors resulting from nonenal, the smell of the living quarters can be enhanced by laundering clothing using the hot water setting and laundry supplements specifically manufactured to fight stains and cut grease.

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