Help! How to get stinkiness out of clothes?

[nuttysquirrel]

Hello everyone

I wear shirts that have a logo on them for my workplace. Well, the company gave me two shirts to wear. The only problem is I usually work 4-5 nights a week. So what I used to do is get home from work and left my shirt I just wore for the next day, if it wasn't dirty. But the shirts have began to smell under the arms and in the back areas. I have tried to wash them with all sorts of detergents but none of them work. I think the reason for the smell is because I didn't wash them for two days in a row, which probably allowed the smell to stay in the fabric and now it won't come out. Any suggestions on what detergents I could try to make the smell go away? The shirts are Navy colored.

 

[brettsomers]

its very likely deodorant residue. you might try kneading a generous amount of spray and wash into the affected areas and letting it sit for about an hour before washing. ball the shirt up (so it doesnt dry) while the spray does its thing. you can also rub laundry soap (like Fels-Naptha) into the area as a pre-treater. also, seems polyester shirts have a knack for stinking, dont they?

 

[sudsmaster]

Try using hot water, a good powder detergent, a long soak, a long wash, and an extra rinse.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Boraxo Detergent Booster should help.

Ken

 

[toggleswitch]

Febreze fabric refresher/deodorizer.

Now available in spray form (only). I used to LOVE it when it was available as a laundry additive.

It itself has only a making fragarance to make it smell less cheimical. It is quite pleasant~ and I hate stong laundry smells.

WARNING: I have heard it can make pets ill whne put directly on rugs and places they go. (Presumably left unrinsed).

http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/febreze/home.do

 

[toggleswitch]

MASKING fragrance. GRRRRRRRRRRrrr

 

[polkanut]

I would suggest anywhere from 1/2 to 1 cup of ammonia or 1/2 cup 20 Mule Team Borax in addition to your regular detergent, and fabric softener. Also, hang them outside to dry, preferrably in the sun.

http://www.dialcorp.com/index.cfm?page_id=56

 

[tolivac]

the "Fefreeze" site kinda interesting-the stuff may be neat to try-the picture on the homepage is sort of strange---A dog sniffing the air-a man sniffing the floor--(shouldn't the dog be doing that?)other folks sniffing the curtains and drapes--and others sniffing the couches!

 

[toggleswitch]

Beware of ammonia if you have a cat.

It registers as pee to them and will do their business where they smell that.

 

[gyrafoam]

A good dose of ammonia is a great idea------but the root of the problem is likely the deodorant itself.

Good old Mitchum clear gel(unscented) is wonderful. Just a touch of it is strong enough to do the job, and as their ad says you can even skip a day. Its true! Great stuff.

I never had another problem with odor buildup in my shirts after switching to Mitchum----way back in the early 70's.I spent many a day working out in the blinding sun and fierce heat (especially in Florida) while in the funeral service profession, and with a t-shirt,long-sleeve dress shirt with tie, and dark suit it was HOT! I used to have to change all my clothes between funerals sometimes---- even my suit coat would become wringing wet!

But the Mitchum never failed me!

 

[sudsmaster]

Do women still wear those underarm pads to absorb sweat and protect sleeved dresses?

I remember those being advertised on TV and in magazines back in the 50's.

 

[kiansi]

Have you tried Persil?

When I use Persil, I get very positive comments about how wonderful my clothes smell. It is the only laundry detergent I have used which brought me any comments at all. To me, it is the freshest smell one can have. Of course, I only used the Persil in my Miele washing machine so I can't say how well it works in other machines. (It is an h.e. detergent).

Persil is not usually found in many stores, but it can be found. Try Google search if nothing else. It's well worth the $$ IMHO.

I hope this helps, Kimber

 

[bajaespuma]

...and now a word from Miss Thing:

Have you folks ever heard of Clorox?

 

[seamusuk]

Persil

Is that powder or Megaperls????

Seamus

 

[seamusuk]

See thread#7191

Thats why im asking- the Sainsburys Megaperls we have this side of the pond do indeed smell fantastic!

 

[markgray]

Go with the 20 mule team borax....I know all aobut washing offensive smelling work clothes...a cup of borax with your detergent will do the trick....what kind of deodorant are you using that does'nt wash out?

 

[kiansi]

Seamus

Megaperls ... yes, that's it!

 

[kiansi]

Bahaespuma

Mmmm ... not sure that I would recommend using Clorox on Navy colored shirts .... or do they make a color safe version that I'm not aware of?

Kimber

 

[golittlesport]

Baking soda is also a great deodorizer....try soaking shirts in it and adding some to the wash with your detergent.