As I mourned the loss of another favourite t-shirt, I decided enough was enough: there had to be something I could do to save those smelly shirts!
Have you ever worn a shirt and suddenly realised you smell something … stinky? Cautiously you lift your arm and sniff … no! It can’t be!
But unfortunately it’s true. The odour is coming from your own armpit area!
And worst of all – if you can smell it – then maybe everybody else can too?! Quelle horreur!
Despite my best efforts, I must confess this has happened to many a shirt of mine. It particularly seems to be a problem with t-shirts; the smell must get trapped in the synthetic fibres.
And if anything, washing just makes it worse!
I’ve tried pre-wash sprays, I’ve tried soaking, I wear antiperspirant, I’ve scrubbed. And nothing has helped.
I’ve lost count of the times I have regretfully binned a favourite top or dress because it was beyond redemption.
Until I decided enough was enough.
It was a little embarrassing but I put the call out on Facebook to see if anybody could help, and the suggestions flooded in! I studied them all carefully, and even held my own clinical trials 😉 .
How to Save Those Smelly Shirts
- One suggestion was to wash with hot to warm water. Unfortunately, I don’t have hot water connected in my laundry (don’t ask!) so this was not something I could try at home but you might like to give it a whirl and let me know how you go.
- Another idea was to rinse in cold water first before washing, as the soap in the wash seems to set the smell. I suspect this might work if you have a new shirt, but if the smell has already set in, it doesn’t do much.
- Add half a cup of white vinegar in with the rinse water. You’ll be pleased to know, this did seem to work. I tested it on a mega-smelly shirt that was only fit for landfill, and after about 4 washes (no wearing), it actually passed the sniff test, and also when I wore it one day. Hooray!
- Four washes seemed excessive, so I moved onto the next tip: soak in Napisan Vanish Oxi Action* for a few hours. I haven’t had nappies or Napisan in the house for years, but decided it was worth a try. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner! Soaking for a couple of hours in Napisan really did seem to do the trick, and get rid of those smelly sweat stains. As a bonus, it also helped to lift the deodorant stains that had built up under the arms of the hubster’s business shirts. It didn’t completely remove them, but I’m hopeful that a few more treatments will bring them up like new:
I for one am very pleased that I can continue to wear my favourite t-shirts, without fear of offending. I’ve given a heap of my shirts the treatment before our trip, so that at least my shirts will smell clean and fresh, even if *I* don’t (after approximately 36 hours en route!).
One of life’s little problems solved …
What is your top tip to save those smelly shirts?!
*These items have been gifted to me for editorial consideration, in accordance with my disclosure policy.
Linking up with Mystery Case for I Must Confess.
LOL that has happened to me too. I soaked it and scrubbed mine too but it wasn’t long before it comes back and I had to say good bye to the beloved shirt. I hope yours stays good for you. Have a good week.
Fingers crossed it lasts, Julie!
White vinegar is great.. I use it to clean my dishwasher with some bi-carb … Sometimes smelly shirts just need to hit the bin.. and fast.
I don’t have the smell issue, more the white stain issue on my black tops. Some deodorants are better than others with this but even the no marks ones do leave a mark.
The tips on the Napisan website said you should delay getting dressed for a few minutes after using deodorant. Don’t know if it works though.
Great tip!
It happened to daughter’s school uniform recently. I ironed her clean dress and Peee -ewwwww! Had to wash it three times and scrub the armpits. Not her fault and she isn’t smelly at all. But somehow the under arm thing got trapped.
Will try this neat little trick of yours next time
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
That’s it exactly Leanne – it does pong when ironed!
You are so dedicated – there is a part of me that just says throw it and then the part of me that says but it is my fave. Truly I love white vinegar but I have also found changing my deo to the Mitchum Roll On has helped too. Not sure why or what but I like it. I am interested to see how the 12 year old goes in the new highschool uniform. So keeping this one in the faves section to draw in for future use. Mel xx
It’s so hard though when it’s a fave Mel – I love Mitchum rollon too x
As a mother of three boys I seriously need these tips! Meanwhile, of course, MY clothes smell daisy fresh! Ahem.
Of course they do Ness! Bogans don’t smell, do they?!
I use the vanish spray and napisan on pretty much every wash.
I never knew before … I guess this is one of the things I missed out on, not having a mum to guide me over the years!
Ugh I bet I’ll have to deal with this as the kids get bigger!
Mr 20’s shirts can be pretty gross sometimes. Sniff at your own risk …
Great post!
Hi Liz, maybe some people think it’s so basic … but not having a mum around to teach me these sorts of things, it took me a long time to work it out!