Loading...Q. I am searching for a way to remove underarm odor from clothes. I tried dilute vinegar, but it did not work at all. Is there anything else?
A. Several years ago, we heard from a person who used to work for the wardrobe department in a theater. Some costumes that cannot be tossed in the washing machine can get pretty smelly.
This reader said that spraying cheap vodka or undiluted white vinegar on the armpits of the garments took the smell away by the time the clothing was dry. We suggest testing the spray in an unobtrusive area first to make sure it doesn’t discolor the cloth.
RA
Underarm odor on clothing is the pits – Bac-Out by biokleen. Exercise clothes that wick moisture are the worst offenders and washing doesn’t touch the odor. I put all offending items in a bucket of water, squirt in some Bac-Out and let soak a few hours. Very safe for the environment and clothing and not a trace of odor left. So glad to pass it along! I can’t imagine what my exercise clothes would smell like otherwise.
cpmt
My mother used ammonia + water solution with a brush (very long time ago… when there were not many dry cleaners) let dry clean air (suits) or wash (blouses or…
Vinegar is also a good solution.
LF
I will definitely try everyone’s suggestions to see if they work better than my own. What I have found that works for my daughter’s smelly armpit areas is Win detergent. I buy it at Dick’s Sporting Goods. It is made for work-out clothes. I have opened the dryer before and the smell of her t-shirts would knock me out. Then I discovered Win. I find if I put some directly on the armpit areas and then wash with the regular laundry, it takes the smell right out. It comes in a small bottle, so I prefer just to put it directly on the areas and then wash.
joan
I have always uses a paste of baking soda for my various under-layer hiking clothes before throwing them into the wash, or rinsing it off without putting it into the wash if necessary. I works wonderfully on the under-arm odor areas.
SNH
Peroxide is a great odor remover–it’s the only thing I found that worked when I had a problem with a cat peeing on stuff–and I tried everything.
Leigh
How about alcohol. I would say pour a small amount of alcohol on the fabric let it sit for a bit then scrub the spot with deodorant bar soap while scrubbing under running water. Then throw in the washing machine, or skip the soap part if not washable fabric. Also, cleaning armpits with alcohol on a washcloth after a shower (unless you’ve just shaved) can also help remove the smelly bacteria that were not washed away.
ebm
I spray “Spray ‘n Wash” which I keep next to the hamper, on stains and smells right when I take my clothes off. I hang them over the side of the hamper to dry to prevent mold. It works fine for me and the stains/smells don’t have time to “settle” in.
Paul43
I would like to hear someone confirm this report.
Cindy B.
I keep a spray bottle of undiluted white vinegar at my washing machine. Every garment that gets perspired in gets sprayed with that before washing it normally. I have found that makes a huge difference in killing the bacteria and keeping the garment smelling fresh the next time I sweat in it. I work outside in the heat in landscape maintenance.