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.
