Armpit Odor on Clothing

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RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

To try to block armpit sweat completely, a product worth trying is Certain Dri (certaindri.com). I used it for a couple of years in the mid 90's and really haven't needed to use it since. Back then, I could only find it at a pharmacy supply drug store but now I think it's more widely distributed. I wished I had the product during high school (86-90). No matter what time of day (morning/afternoon) or weather (even winter), my armpits were always soaked; very embarrassing! I believe the primary ingredient (aluminum chloride) is what closes your sweat pores altogether. The side effect for me though was that since I was no longer sweating in the armpits, I had increased sweat production from my forehead (it's your body's way of regulating so it's gotta come out somewhere).

Post by exr202

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I bought a designer cotton top on e-bay, It arrived with smelly armpits (yuck!) I thought I'd try to fix the problem before complaining to the seller and so I google/researched "removing body odor from cotton clothing" and proceeded to try each of the following methods:
1. Washed in hot water with detergent and stain lifter (twice - still smelled)
(2) Applied paste of washing soda and water to underarms of garment and let it sit overnight then washed out (twice - still stinky)
(3) Soaked underarms of garment in undiluted white vinegar for several hours, then washed out (twice - still smelled of B.O.
4) Soaked underarms of garment in undiluted rubbing alcohol for several hours, then washed out (twice - still smelled of B.O.)
5) Soaked underarms of garment in undiluted 3% antibacterial hydrogen peroxide for 5 hours, then washed out. Success! -- I think - I'll have to wait until garment is completely dry and heat (from iron) is applied to problem areas before I'll know if the smell is really completely gone.

FYI this concentration of hydrogen peroxide did not lift color. I've used the stuff on a Q-Tip to remove cherry, berry, wine and tomato sauce stains from cotton, silk and rayon. It's never left a spot, or lifted garment color or distressed the fibers, but sure does get the stain out.

Wish me luck with my war on unknowingly purchased body odor!

Post by ResearchPitbull

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Get the smell out of shirts with: Rubbing Alcohol. To minimize the amount of B.O. your clothes soak up throughout the day, you can periodically rub a little hand sanitizer (not one with moisturizer) on your armpits (with clean hands), to kill some of the bacteria (which are causing the smell to get bad).

After you wash your shirts, if they still have hints of B.O., put alcohol into a spray bottle and spray the inside and outside of the armpit area of the shirt until soaked. When it dries, the smell will be gone. If you do it before washing the garment, the alcohol may get rinsed off before completing its job.

I am a bartender at a bar/grill with uniform shirts that are short-sleeved, black, made of the same material as a basketball jersey, they seemed to have a perpetual stink associated with them. I knew the reason for the smell was bacteria, so I tried the alcohol thing and it works so well for me I felt compelled to pass it on.

As for the pit stains, I have no idea how to get rid of them. I know NOT to put the garment in the dryer until you're sure you've gotten the stain out or it will be there forever. It will just change shades over time. The idea to try distilled white vinegar sounds like a good one. Vinegar has many uses, and can usually make anything better in some way.

Post by PostingAReply

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

My husband's towels used to stink after one or two days which I couldn't figure out because he had just showered. Then I saw a segment on Oprah with Dr.Oz who said the BO smell is from bacteria. So we switched to anti-bacterial soap in the shower and now his towels don't smell. I also use vinegar with my normal detergent and use the hottest setting possible when washing his clothes. The acidity in the vinegar and the heat help kill the bacteria. Also, washing the clothes as soon as possible helps keep the bacteria from multiplying.

Post by RN Mom

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Been reading all the great ideas & suggestions about removing underarm stains & body odor smells. My special weapon for these problems has been adding "20 Mule Team Borax" to my normal detergent & dry bleach regimen. I was on recruiting duty for the Navy for 12 years & every May through October I was in an all white uniform. Standing in the heat & humidity trying to look "fresh" was always a challenge. Sometimes I was washing them two - three times a week. The Borax worked well in keeping them smelling fresh. It's also a great additive when your washing blankets & bed linens that may have gotten musty while in storage. It's worth a try!

Post by Nockmoi

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Temps have been in the 80s here this week so I pulled out my sleeveless tops and alot of them were armpit stained and stinky. I soaked them in vinegar overnight and then machine washed with more vinegar, baking soda and my normal detergent. The stains and odor did lighten but they were still there. Then I tried Cascade dishwasher detergent. I made a paste by adding water and scrubbed with a toothbrush. I could tell it was coming out, but I had 10 shirts. I threw them in the washer with about half a cup of Cascade and my regular detergent. I just pulled them out of the dryer and they look and smell practically new. I have a vinegar spray bottle ready to go so I can spray my shirts before they hit the hamper from now on.

Alot of the comments talk about it being a deoderant issue. I think mine is simply a sweating issue. I don't have this problem with any of my winter or cool weather tops. I'm not a heavy sweater but I do work up a sweat walking the dogs when it is 80 or above outside. I think I'll start changing into raggedy tops for our walks.

Man am I glad I thought to check here for ideas! I sure didn't want to spend the money on new tops.
Thanks for all the tips.

Tracey in Jacksonville FL

Post by TraceyI

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Hi, I have been reading the posting on the site and wondered about the method using vinegar? if I put the clothes with odor smells on them in the wash how much vinegar should I put in the drawer? or if I soak them in the sink how much vinegar do I add to the water? Thanks

Post By rachel (Guest Post)

Armpit Odor on Dry-Clean Clothing

I am seeking a solution to a hand-me down designer form-fitting jacket, which has BO on it. It's a dry-clean only. After reading each & every one of the responses here, I don't see any suggestions for dry-clean only garments.

Post By Susie Q (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have found a great product that gets all odors out of clothing. I t is called Odorzout. You simply add it to your wash and clothes come out smelling great with no cover-up odor! I won't ever wash without it. For underarm stains soak clothes in oxyclean overnight.

Post By Janene. (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Thanks everyone. I will try these things. Also, thanks about the Old Lady smell. As I age I wondered how to prevent it. Now I know.

Post By jessaka (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have tried every trick in the book to get rid of the armpit stink on my son's shirts! But recently, I learned in one of my nursing biology classes that Bacteria is the cause of many odors. So one day while grocery shopping I spotted "Febreze Antibacterial" spray and wondered if it would "kill" the smell on his shirts.

I brought it home and saturated the armpits of his shirts and then let them sit for a bit just to make sure it had a chance to kill the foul odor. Guess what? No More Stink! Now I just give the shirts a quick spray on each armpit before I wash his shirts and we haven't smelled him since! LOL I am very impressed by the results. I hope it works as well for you as it did for me!

P.S. I am not advocating Febreze itself, but the "Antibacterial" component of it. Any similar spray should work as long as it's "Antibacterial"

Post By Mamma with a stinky teenager! (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I've had this problem for a LONG time. It's really embarassing. I've found that the vinegar DOES work. I've also stopped using anti-perspertant and that has seemed to help. I use Dr Bronners Magic Soap as a deodorant and I've never been so fresh. Just dab a little on a cotton ball and rub on your underarms and you are good to go! It's all natural and smells great.

Post By Free2BeMe (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Your Suggestions Worked for me! I tried the suggestion to add 1/2 cup of baking soda in the washer. I am so excited to say IT WORKED! I used a lot of detergent. But because my clothes stunk really bad the first thing I did was to soak the arm pit area with water and then applied baking soda on it. I left the items soaking overnight (even some dry clean only items, because dry cleaners don't remove sweat smell off clothes completely).

I washed them and they smelled so fresh! The second suggestion I used to stop the arm pit odor was after I showered I sprayed white distilled vinegar and water mix on my arm pit, I let it dry. I smelled like vinegar for a minute or two but don't panic once it dries put on Dry Idea deodorant sold at CVS drug stores (try other stores too). I smelled fresh all day! (I used 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle, shook it well) It WORKS!

I am so glad for your comments. I have been suffering with this problem since I was 11 or 12 years old. I have been embarrassed most of my life. Now I can continue buying expensive clothes without feeling bad.

Post By No More Stink (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Have suffered with this problem for about 4 years now. I am off to dab my pits with some cotton wool soaked in vinegar - fingers crossed! This really has destroyed so many brand new clothes belonging to me costing me a fortune throwing away new, worn twice tops, so am also going to try soaking them in vinegar too.

Thanks all, for your great suggestions. Hopefully I can salvage some of my unbelievably sweaty smelling tops from the bin!

Post By Ms. 'Desperately seeking sweat stopping solution' (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Secret clinical deoderant is a godsend. I always had problems with underarm odor and sweat. Oh and the yellow stains that you can never get rid of. Since using Secret clinical, no more problems. It's a little more expensive, but well worth it, I've tried the other "clinical" deoderants and find Secret to be their best.

Post By Mary (Guest Post)

Armpit odor

For armpit odor, I finally found an antiperspirant with witch hazel and tea tree oil in it. Both of those help inhibit bacteria growth. I can't remember the name of it, and only ONE of that brand's types has the witch hazel and tea tree oil! It is a stick with a blue stripe in the middle of it. Sorry, not at home right now.

Also, I have used the 'natural' deodorants (salt based) in the groin area to help with odor. Sometimes I will double the natural deodorant with the antiperspirant I mentioned above in the summer for extra help - I live in Phoenix!

Post By Ivy (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Instead of using deodorant. Spray hairspray in your hand then wipe it under your armpit. Then if you want you can put on deororant. Hairspray works

Post By Rendarla (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have a couple of dresses, which I love, which I have washed MONTHS ago with my boyfriends clothes. I dont have BO and all my other clothes are fine, but these seem to have absobed his sweaty smells!
How can I get rid of it? I have washed them loads, but as soon as I put them on I can smell this cheese and onion smell!
Please help
Edinburgh, Scotland :)

Post By ash (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have sprayed the inside of my brother's shirt at the armpits with Lysol spray (I think it was the "rain" fragrance, when I took them out of the dryer and they still stunk. I then threw them back in the dryer on the delicate setting until they were dry.
I had put vinegar in the wash water before, but I guess I didn't add enough.
The Lysol spray worked very good.
Try it, you might like it.
Thanks for all the tips from everyone.
Years ago in Prevention magazine there was an ad that said " Don't stink!! Take Zinc.

Post By Enter your name.Therese (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

after the misting of the vinegar, so you still put deodorant on?

Post By Nicci (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Try "Simple Green" I work at REI and several hiker/climbers have reported success w/ it.

Post By Nancy (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Hello, I just ordered a wedding dress on Ebay. Besides the lady totally not telling the truth the dress is stunning, I notice the underarms smell like BO. This dress can't be dry cleaned but spot cleaned only. Does anyone think that spritzing with white vinegar would help?
I just love the dress it is perfect but I can't have that smell on my wedding day. Thank you. CJ

Post By CJ (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

One thing you can do is go to SALLY'S BEAUTY SUPPLY or try WAL-MART or TARGET and look for those empty small travel size spray mist bottles. Then put in one part vinegar and one part water and shake it up and mist your arm pits after each shower. Dab off the excess mixture and let the arms pits dry, do not rinse the solution from your arm pits. Also, buy you a regular size empty plastic spray bottle and pour in one cup of white vinegar (clear vinegar) and pour in two cups of water and shake up the solution/mixture and keep it in the shower.

Take your shower or bath as normal. Then right before you get out of the shower mist your arm pits and your penal and pubic area or if you are a female mist the vaginal and pubic area with the solution. Dry yourself off and you will have no body order. Make sure to mist between your upper thighs/inner thighs. If the solution stings a bit just add some more water to the spray solution. And just pat those areas dry, do not rinse the solution off, just pat it dry.

You will stay dry and smell nice under your arm pits and your penal/pubic or vaginal/pubic area will stay dryer and smell fresh. I used to work with patients in the medical field and I used this solution on patients and also the public can also use this solution.

Best Regards; Twicehome AT yahoo.com

Post By Gloria Short (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have a problem with long lasting smell of sweat on garments.I bought some things on ebay, tops and dresses and they all have strong smell of sweat in them, can you help with a full proof idea how to get rid of those? I really don't want to throw them away!

Post By agi (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

In response to Joana.. You might have hyperhidrosis. I suffered from the same thing in junior high and high school. No matter what I used I would sweat through everything. I would were two shirts and a jacket to hide it. I finally found any antiperspirant that stop the excess sweating. It's called Maxim. I have not seen it in stores yet so you have to order it online. www.coradhealthcare.com. it's about $14.00 but it should last for a few months. You put it on at night and within a week you will notice that you sweat less. It changed my life. The only thing is that it irritates your skin at first but I think they make a sensitive skin one now. I wish you good luck because I know what you are going through.

Post By dutch (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I am a white vinegar nut case. I run an Inn in Croatia and I use white vinegar to clean my rooms. I clean bathrooms, doors, windows & floors with it. It's great! It gets rid of bacterias & smell in the room. I will now try it on my armpits .. thanx for the tip ;-))

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Thank all of you for your ideas! I'm gonna go soak my clothes in vinegar NOW! I'm a fitness trainer and I wanted to stop the armpit odor for good so instead of using deodorant, I switched to baking soda. I works great! I just splash it on after my shower and after a full day, my pits are odorless. But I just had the problem of the old musty odor in my clothes so thanx!

Post By Fit Guy in TX (Guest Post)

re:what type of deordrant should i use

I'm joanna. I'm only 12 years old and in 7th grade every time I get out the shower I put on deodorant and put on my clothes. When I get on the bus, it's so crowded in there I sweat then my armpits get all wet and I get embarrassed. When I get to school I get called musty everyday. My parents are trying to help me get rid of the smell but its not working. Please help me and tell me what I can do and what type of deodorant I can use. p.s. I sweat very easily and I need help. Thanks

Post By joanna (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Well, I've been using the white vinegar under my armpits for almost a month now and it really works!!! Every time I take a shower I saturate a paper towel with the vinegar and cover all areas of my underarms that touch eachother...then I leave it on while I get the bottom half of myself dressed and brush my teeth. I then take a clean washcloth and get it nice and wet and rinse the vinegar off, dry with a towel and finish getting dressed. It lasts about 24 hours for me...if I don't take a shower right away in the morning, I wash my pits with soap and water using a washcloth and repeat the process above. This has changed my life!!! I can't believe that my terrible odor was so easy to fix!!! Thanks to all who posted about the vinegar. Oh, and my shirts that I soak overnight in vinegar don't smell except for the ones that had a lot of anti-perspirant build up...those are getting better with every soak and wash!!!

Post by Anonymous

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing and underarm

I am a female and I have trouble with armpit odor and I also get funky under my stomach. It is a danger zone please help me decide on what to use it so embarrassing when my boyfriend tells me to lay off the onions! Desperate for an answer!

Post By Ms. Green (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

You're all somewhat right, the smell is actually caused by a condition called hyperhidrosis. If you go to the dermatologist they can perscribe a medication to use at night a few times a week that keeps the smelliness at bay. I will be trying all of your suggestions for getting the smells out of my clothing. I had spoiled several shirts before I knew what the condition was. C cole

Post By Courtney (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I'm soaking my shirts in vinegar right now and I'm going to try the vinegar under my armpits...vinegar is way better smelling than my armpits!!! I hope this works for me cuz I have been having a problem with this since I was pregnant for my last child 6 years ago.

Post by Anonymous

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I work with a high school band color guard. The girls wear BLACK spandex. It doesn't seem to matter how many times we wash, the outfits still smell. Can I use white vinegar on colors?

Post By Cathy (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have always had an issue with musty armpits. Its embarrasing as a female. I have been a vegan for 9 months and my pits no longer smell. The problem is that my shirts still have the odor from many years of musty pits Please give me your best- tested-remedy!(

Post By Smellypits (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I smell like a skunk sometimes. what helps me is to wipe my arms with alcohol after I shower, than I wait until it completely dries and than I apply Mitchum deodorant gel and wait until that dries before I put any clothes on. I use hair dries to dry my armpits quicker.

Post By Petra (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Use white vinegar to wash your clothes (approx 1/2 cup and add 2 tbs spoons of bicarbonate of soda) as this helps to neuturalise sweat and takes the smell out of the clothes. For this I use a spray gun with white vinegar and spray the sweaty parts of my clothes. Leave for approx 1 hour and wash. Rinse thoroughly on a prolonged cycle. Always spray the white vinegar on dirty clothes even if you're not washing them straight away. it won't harm the clothes and the BO smells come out from the clothes.

Post By Suzi (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I noticed that washing my armpits with feminine wash eliminates odor completely.

Post By manja (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Thanks Ladies for the advice. Amazing!!!

Post By Veronica (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

my sister-in-law has a clothing boutique and is having issues with one lady who insists on trying on almost everything in her size, but who also has the most offensive armpit odour which llingers in a stubborn way on all the clothes she tries on. My s.i.l. can't wash everything that the woman tries but doesn't know (a.) how to remove the odour and (b.) what she should do to not offend the client. any ideas anyone??

Post By chic (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

I have 2 sons. One works on cars and the other is in an office all day. Both come with wonderful smelling arm pits. I have found something I swear by. its called Grease Lightening. Its GREAT for cleaning and useing in the wash. In fact I use it in place of bleach,onboth color clothes and white clothes.It helps get the grease out of my sons work clothes, thats how good it is. Its sold by the half gallon at Home Depot. and at walmart in spray bottles which is great for pretreating and its cheap. and the other uses for it is never ending. cleaning, degreasing, wash, soap scum, on and on.... But give it a try.

Post By Nancy J (Guest Post)

RE: Armpit Odor on Clothing

Certain Dry Deoderant will stop the smell of even getting on the clothes. I have a son that no matter what he used, he had armpit oder. (yuk) However we heard about Certain Dry and it works AMAZINGLY well. I know Walmart and Meijers carry it. If you cant find it just ask the pharmacist. THIS REALLY DOES WORK.
linda
arrowsmith, il.

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

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