Eliminate Stubborn Cologne And Sweat Odors From Shirts

Getting rid of cologne, sweat, and body odour from clothing can be challenging. The longer you wait to wash your clothes, the harder it will be to remove the odour. Turning your clothing inside out before washing exposes your clothing's dirtier side to cleaning products directly. Soaking clothing in a mixture of vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda and water can help to remove odours. For washable fabrics, machine washing with heavy-duty detergent and an additional odour-fighting product, like baking soda or vinegar, can help to remove stubborn smells. For dry-clean-only items, hanging them outside on a breezy day or using an odour-absorbing product like baking soda can help to eliminate odours.

Soak in vinegar and water

To get rid of cologne and sweat odors from a shirt, you can try soaking it in a mixture of vinegar and water. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

First, make sure that the shirt is dry. It's important to remove any moisture from the fabric before attempting to remove odors.

Next, prepare a mixture of vinegar and water. You can use a ratio of 1:4 or 1:3 for the mixture, depending on the strength of the odor. For example, mix one cup of vinegar with three cups of water, or one cup of vinegar with four cups of water. You can also add a few drops of an essential oil like lavender to the mixture if you want to counteract the smell of vinegar.

Place the shirt in a large container, such as a washing machine, bucket, or sink, and pour the vinegar and water mixture over it. Make sure the shirt is completely submerged in the liquid.

Let the shirt soak for at least 30 minutes to several hours. The longer it soaks, the more effective it will be at removing odors. You can even leave it overnight for very strong odors.

After soaking, drain the vinegar and water mixture from the container. Then, wash the shirt as usual in the washing machine with a heavy-duty laundry detergent. You can also add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to help remove any remaining odors.

Finally, dry the shirt as directed by the care label or on a clothesline in the fresh air. Sunlight will also help to remove any lingering odors.

This method is effective because vinegar is a natural deodorizer and cleaner. It can help to neutralize odors and remove scent molecules from the fabric. Additionally, it is a green and cost-effective option.

Wash with lemon juice

Lemon juice is an effective natural deodorizer and stain remover. Its mild acidity helps to break up scent molecules, making it a great option for removing cologne and sweat odors from shirts. Here is a detailed guide on how to use lemon juice to eliminate these stubborn smells:

Step 1: Create a Lemon Juice and Water Solution

In a spray bottle, combine equal parts lemon juice and water. For instance, if you have 100 ml of lemon juice, add 100 ml of water. Ensure you mix the solution thoroughly, but avoid overdoing it as this can break the solution's chemical bonds, rendering it ineffective.

Step 2: Apply the Solution to the Shirt

Spray the lemon juice solution onto the affected areas of the shirt. You can also spray the entire shirt if you wish to give it a fresh lemon scent. Ensure that you spray the solution evenly across the fabric.

Step 3: Scrub the Fabric

Using a soft-bristled brush, gently scrub the areas of the shirt where you applied the lemon juice solution. This helps to ensure that the solution penetrates the fabric's core and effectively removes the odors. It also aids in distributing the lemon scent evenly throughout the garment.

Step 4: Allow the Shirt to Dry Outdoors

Hang the shirt outdoors in a sunny location to dry. The sunlight will not only help eliminate any remaining odors but will also work to brighten the fabric. However, it is important to note that lemon juice may lighten the color of the fabric, so it is best to avoid this method for brightly colored shirts. Additionally, allowing the shirt to dry in the sun will help to absorb the lemon scent into the fabric, providing a natural and pleasant fragrance.

Additional Tips:

• Always perform a spot test on a small area of the shirt before applying lemon juice to the entire garment, especially if it is colored. This will ensure that the lemon juice does not cause any discoloration or damage to the fabric.
• While lemon juice is effective for removing odors, it may not be suitable for all fabrics. For delicate fabrics, such as silk or lace, it is recommended to consult the care label and follow the manufacturer's instructions for odor removal.
• If the lemon juice method does not completely remove the odors, you may need to repeat the process or try alternative methods, such as using vinegar, baking soda, or commercial odor removers.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a well-known odor eliminator and can be used to remove cologne and sweat odors from your shirts. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use baking soda to get rid of these stubborn smells:

Step 1: Combine Baking Soda and Water

In a large bucket, sink, or bathtub, mix one cup of baking soda with a gallon of cold water. Stir the mixture until the baking soda has completely dissolved in the water. You can also use warm water if you prefer.

Step 2: Soak the Clothes

Add your shirts or other odorous clothing items to the baking soda and water mixture. Make sure the clothes are completely soaked and submerged in the solution. Give them a good mix to ensure the baking soda water penetrates the fabric.

Step 3: Let it Soak

The soaking time will depend on the intensity of the odor. For regular daily sweat or cologne odors, 15 minutes of soaking should be enough. However, for stronger or more stubborn odors, you can leave the clothes to soak overnight or even up to 24 hours. The longer soaking time will help eliminate deeply embedded smells.

Step 4: Drain and Transfer to Washing Machine

After the pre-soak, drain the baking soda and water mixture from the clothes. There is no need to rinse the clothes before transferring them to the washing machine. You can also add other laundry items that don't require pre-soaking to make a full load.

Step 5: Wash and Dry Regularly

Now it's time to put your laundry through a regular wash cycle. Use your normal detergent and follow the care instructions on your clothing labels. Hang dry your clothes or use a dryer, whichever you prefer. And that's it! Your clothes should now be fresh and odor-free.

Additional Tips:

• If the odor persists after the initial treatment, you can repeat the process or try combining baking soda with other odor-fighting agents like vinegar or laundry detergent.
• For dry-clean-only items, you can sprinkle baking soda directly onto the garment, let it sit in a sealed container overnight, and then shake it out the next day.
• To prevent odors from building up, avoid leaving sweaty clothes in a gym bag or tightly-packed basket. Instead, hang them up or lay them out to allow air circulation until you're ready to wash them.

Air clothes outside

Airing clothes outside is a great way to freshen fabrics and remove unwanted odours. Here are some tips for optimal outdoor air-drying:

Preparing the Clothes

Before hanging your clothes outside, there are a few steps you can take to ensure effective drying and odour removal:

• Give each garment a good shake before hanging to eliminate wrinkles and soften the fabric.
• Hang up your clothes as soon as the wash cycle finishes to prevent wrinkles and musty smells.
• Group similar garments together and hang the biggest, heaviest items first to save space.
• Hang dark clothes inside out and away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Keep towels unfolded and vertical on the clothesline, draping them slightly over the line and pinning both corners in place.
• Pin pants and jeans to the clothesline by the leg cuffs to allow the waistband to hang, giving it more airflow and helping it dry faster.
• Clip shirts at the side seams and hang them by the bottom hem to prevent creases and aid faster drying.
• Hang socks in pairs by the toes, overlapping them slightly and pinning them together to save space and prevent misplacing socks.
• Fasten undergarments like underwear and boxers by the waist, stretching them out and clamping a clothespin on each corner.

Choosing a Location

When selecting a spot to air your clothes, consider the following:

• Choose a well-ventilated space with good airflow and low humidity.
• Avoid drying clothes in basements or attics, as these areas tend to be stuffy and moist.
• If drying clothes indoors, use a fan to improve air circulation and speed up drying.
• Place a dehumidifier near your clothes if you live in a humid area.
• Avoid placing clothes directly onto a heat source, such as a heating vent, as this could be a fire hazard.
• Direct sunlight is not necessary—placing your clothes in a well-ventilated area is sufficient.
• Avoid drying dark and bright-coloured garments in direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Take advantage of the sun to bleach and brighten light-coloured garments, such as whites and linens.
• Do not air-dry down garments or bedding, as the down may clump together and not dry properly.

Additional Tips

• Hang laundry properly to promote faster drying and minimise wrinkles.
• Use plastic hangers when drying clothes to avoid mould and stains that can occur with wooden or metal hangers.
• Leave ample space between garments to ensure proper airflow and faster drying.
• Flip your clothes halfway through the drying process to prevent musty odours and speed up drying.
• Check the weather forecast and avoid drying clothes outdoors when pollen counts are high if you have allergies.
• Keep your clothesline clean by wiping it down before use and storing clothespins in a sack to prevent rust.

Wash smaller loads

One of the most common mistakes when washing clothes is overfilling the washer. Large loads can limit the movement of the washing machine, causing odours from sweat and dirt to get trapped in the fabric, especially if you have several sweaty gym shirts in a single wash cycle.

Instead, try breaking up your loads into smaller batches so that they get appropriately cleaned without mixing with other garments or smells. This way, you can ensure that each load is thoroughly washed before moving on to the next step. Front-load washers can also help with movement in the machine since they use rotation and gravity to force more movement than top-load washers.

By washing smaller loads, you can also ensure that the detergent is properly distributed, reducing the risk of residue build-up, which can contribute to odours.

In addition, smaller loads dry more quickly and thoroughly, reducing the chance of mildew forming. This is especially important for front-loading washers, as water can sit in the rubber door seal, creating an ideal environment for mildew to grow.

Frequently asked questions