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How Can I Remove Body Odor in Clothes?

Emily Espinoza
Emily Espinoza

You can remove body odor in clothes by using baking soda, using vinegar, or taking advantage of natural resources outside. Regular household baking soda can be used to form a paste that serves as an odor and stain removing formula when applied to clothes. Vinegar is another common household item that can be used in a couple of different ways to combat stubborn smells in clothes. An even simpler approach that is often effective in removing foul body odor from clothes is to let nature do the work by exposing the smelly clothes to fresh air and sunlight.

Baking soda is effective in cleaning and removing odors from a variety of surfaces and materials, including clothing. It is sometimes added to the water in a washing machine to boost the cleaning power of regular detergent. For body odor in clothes that is difficult to remove, you can make a paste of baking soda and water by simply mixing the two ingredients until the desired consistency is reached. There is no exact amount of either component, and different people may prefer different consistencies depending on the severity of stain and odor. For the most difficult odors, you can apply this paste directly to the affected area of the garment and let it sit for up to 24 hours before washing regularly.

Deodorant can help prevent body odor.
Deodorant can help prevent body odor.

Vinegar can also be added to the water of a washing machine and works to neutralize many different odors that can remain in fabrics. Some people find this simple treatment to be quite effective in removing body odor from clothes. You can also use vinegar in place of chemical products as a pre-treater before washing. Plain vinegar can be applied directly to the area where the odor exists or a mixture of vinegar and water can be used to soak the entire garment. You should then wash the garment as you normally would to completely eliminate the body odor and to wash out the vinegar.

Most body odors come from sweat.
Most body odors come from sweat.

The simplest approach to getting rid of body odor in clothes is also the most natural and doesn't require any ingredients at all. After a regular washing, clothes that retain body odor can be placed outside to dry instead of in a dryer. Sunlight works well to bleach out stains from clothing without damaging the fabric and the combination of sunlight and fresh air can go a long way toward removing stubborn odors. In many instances, this natural approach will actually completely eliminate body odor in clothes as well as help to get rid of stains. This technique is often worth a try, especially when the ingredients needed for other approaches are not available.

For tough-to-remove odors, apply a baking soda paste to the clothing and let it set for 24 hours before putting it in the laundry machine.
For tough-to-remove odors, apply a baking soda paste to the clothing and let it set for 24 hours before putting it in the laundry machine.

When tackling persistent body odor in clothes, consider using the convenience of the best laundry sheets. These sheets offer a simple yet effective solution to eliminate odors and keep your clothes smelling fresh. While natural remedies like baking soda, vinegar, and sunlight can be helpful, laundry sheets provide a convenient and efficient way to address odors, especially when you're on the go or dealing with tight schedules.

Discussion Comments

anon974210

There's a product called Odorjet. It removes body odors and smoke from clothes without sprays or chemicals.

stoneMason

@ddljohn-- Baking soda works best when the clothes are wet. So I just add baking soda into the washer and that seems to do the trick. Baking soda as a paste doesn't absorb if the clothes are dry.

Something else to keep in mind is that the longer the dirty clothes wait to get washed, the harder it is to get the odors out. Wash your clothes as soon as you get a load ready. If your son's clothes are the only ones with the odor problem, you might want to wash his separately. Soaking them in warm water with baking soda as soon as he takes the clothes off might be a good idea. That way, the odors won't have a chance to settle.

ddljohn

@ankara-- I've been doing that but it hasn't made a difference. I still can't get the sweat odor out of my son's track clothes.

I've also tried vinegar and baking soda. To my surprise, the baking soda didn't work. Vinegar worked but then, it left a vinegar scent on the clothes that my son couldn't stand. So I'm back to square one.

bluedolphin

I agree that exposing clothes to fresh air and sunlight is the best way to get rid of odors. That's why I let my laundry dry outside on a clothes line. I think that tumble drying tends to lock in odors. Anyone who has access to a balcony or or a yard should dry their clothes outside.

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    • Deodorant can help prevent body odor.
      By: karam miri
      Deodorant can help prevent body odor.
    • Most body odors come from sweat.
      By: lulu
      Most body odors come from sweat.
    • For tough-to-remove odors, apply a baking soda paste to the clothing and let it set for 24 hours before putting it in the laundry machine.
      By: Monkey Business
      For tough-to-remove odors, apply a baking soda paste to the clothing and let it set for 24 hours before putting it in the laundry machine.
    • A paste of baking soda and water can help to remove body odor from clothes.
      By: Africa Studio
      A paste of baking soda and water can help to remove body odor from clothes.
    • Regular washing of clothes can help eliminate set in body odors.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Regular washing of clothes can help eliminate set in body odors.
    • Vinegar may be useful in removing body odor in clothing.
      By: hsagencia
      Vinegar may be useful in removing body odor in clothing.
    • Wearing an undershirt may help prevent sweat from soaking other clothing.
      By: jedi-master
      Wearing an undershirt may help prevent sweat from soaking other clothing.