Sweating is the body’s natural response to stress, exercise, and heat, so it’s okay to sweat. Except of course when sometimes, getting the sweat smell out of your clothes is a lot of work, even after careful washing. Sweat smells are especially bad at the underarm of your clothing.
But, all hope is not lost! Follow our simple tips on ten ways you can get sweat smell out of your clothes.
10 Ways to Get Sweat Smell Out Of Clothes
The best trick to getting sweat smell off your clothes is not letting it linger because that gives the smell enough time to set into the cloth. So, as soon as you notice the sweat smell, the next thing to do is to wash it off.
The interesting part is: that you don’t have to worry about getting expensive detergents. With simple household ingredients, you can get sweat smell far away from your clothes. Here are ten ways you to get sweat smell out of your clothes below:
Use laundry detergent
Washing your clothes carefully is one of the easiest ways to get the sweat smell from the clothes. To wash, ensure to use an effective laundry detergent. Here’s a simple guideline on how to use laundry detergent for this purpose below:
Step 1: Make a laundry detergent solution by mixing laundry detergent and water.
Step 2: Soak the smelly clothes in the solution and leave for a while.
Step 3: Wash the clothes and dry them.
Note: If you still perceive any smell, repeat the process.
Use White Vinegar
With white vinegar, you can get the sweat out of clothes and also remove sweat stains at the same time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use white vinegar to get rid of the sweat smell below:
Step 1: If there’s a sweat stain on the cloth, use soak a cotton wool ball with white vinegar and dab on the stain
Step 2: Make a solution by adding a quarter cup of white vinegar to a basin of water.
Step 3: Put the smelly cloth into the basin and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.
Step 4: After this, wash the cloth with a laundry detergent either by hand or with a washing machine.
Use Steam
Steam works perfectly for taking out wrinkles from your clothes but did you know that it can also take care of the sweat smell on your clothes? Here is a simple method of steaming your clothes below:
Step 1: Pour some boiled water into a basin or sink.
Step 2: Put the smelly clothes in a polythene bag and close tightly.
Step 3: Put the polytene bag into the basin or sink filled with boiled water and leave for about 30 minutes. The clothes should be smelling fresh when you take them out of the polythene bag.
Note: Some fabrics like suede cannot be steamed. Also, it is recommended to turn fabrics with delicate embellishments inside out before steaming.
You can also use a handheld steamer if you own one. Be sure to pay special attention to the underarm part of your clothing. Adding a drop of your favorite essential oil to the steaming water works wonders!
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is an all-purpose household ingredient that is perfect for stubborn sweat smells, especially the ones that do not go away with washing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda to get rid of the sweat smell below:
Step 1: Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste.
Step 2: Then use an old toothbrush to spread it on the cloth and scrub gently.
Step 3: Allow the paste to sit for about 10-15 minutes before washing the clothes.
Use Crushed Aspirin
Don’t be surprised because crushed aspirin tablets work just like baking soda and it does not contain harmless chemicals that would damage your clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use crushed aspirin to get rid of the sweat smell below:
Step 1: Mix some crushed aspirin with water to form a solution in a basin or sink.
Step 2: Put the smelly cloth into the basin and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: After this, wash the cloth with a laundry detergent either by hand or with a washing machine.
Sundry
We agree that the reason your clothes are smelly in the first place is because of the heat, which the sun produces. But, what better way to handle something the sun caused if not to let it correct it? What I mean is: you can leave the smelly clothes in the sun for some time and the clothes will smell fresh in no time.
Use Ice
This is an alternative method for you if you have issues with steaming your clothes, however, using ice isn’t as effective as steaming is plus, it takes longer to pull off. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use ice to get rid of the sweat smell below:
Step 1: Put the smelly clothes in a polythene bag and close tightly.
Step 2: Place the bag in a bowl of ice or the freezer for as long as you want.
Note: If you won’t be using the cloth anytime soon, you can leave the clothes for a couple of days before taking them out.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic liquid that is found in many households and it can be used to get rid of sweat smell. Interestingly, while at work, the hydrogen peroxide can break down sweat stains on the clothes, if there are any.
However, you can’t make use of hydrogen peroxide alone, you have to mix it with dish soap. Here is a step by step guide on how to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the sweat smell below:
Step 1: Make a solution of hydrogen peroxide and mild dish soap at a ratio of 2:1 respectively.
Step 2: Use a soft brush or an old toothbrush to rub the solution into the smelly cloth.
Note: It is advisable to use hydrogen peroxide on a white shirt because it can permanently discolor any colored fabrics.
Use Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is perfect for taking out the sweat smell on both white and colored clothes. Here’s how to use lemon juice to take care of sweat stains on clothes below:
Step 1: Mix lemon juice with water to form a solution.
Step 2: Soak the cloth in the solution and leave for about 30 minutes.
Step 3: After this, wash the cloth with a laundry detergent either by hand or with a washing machine.
Spray With Vodka
If the smell on the clothes has an extra-strong odor, spraying the clothes with clear vodka works surprisingly well. Here’s a simple guide on how to use vodka to get rid of the sweat smell: fill a spray bottle with plain unflavored vodka and spray your clothes. After spraying, leave the clothes out to dry.
How to Get Sweat Smells Out After Washing
Sometimes, after carefully washing your clothes, the sweat smell can still linger and you need to get them out. Here are a few tips to try:
Use Scented Oils
You can make use of scented oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil that give off sweet fragrances that can be added to your clothes when storing your clothes after washing. Use drawer liners, light perfumes, etc., and store them in a well-ventilated space to keep your clothes smelling nice and fresh.
Air It Out
Simply airing your clothes in an open space can take care of the sweat smell. While airing, make sure that the room is properly ventilated.