How to Get Sweat Smell Out of Clothes

Freshly Washed, Still Smelling Like Sweat?

People who sweat a lot know this problem: you put on a freshly washed shirt, and before you know it, it smells like sweat again. This can be a real issue, especially for those with hyperhidrosis. It's all about how sweat odour works. Sweat itself doesn't smell when it's produced. The smell happens when certain bacteria break down the sweat. This process can create formic acid and butyric acid, which are what cause that unpleasant odour. These bacteria aren't just on your skin; they also cling to your clothes. So, even after a short time, your clothes start to smell again because they're in contact with sweat.

The problem is those bacteria. That's why clothes washed at only 30 or 40 degrees Celsius often still smell. At these temperatures, the bacteria survive. To get rid of the sweat smell, you need to get rid of the bacteria.

Vinegar is a great natural way to kill bacteria. Mix vinegar and water in a 1:3 ratio (one liter of vinegar to three liters of water) in a bowl. Soak your clothes in this solution for about an hour before washing. But, make sure to test a small, hidden area of your clothes first to make sure the color won't fade.

Citric acid is even stronger against bacteria. It can even remove sweat stains. However, it's only suitable for white clothes because it can also remove color. Make a 3% citric acid solution using citric acid powder (available at pharmacies or drugstores) and soak your clothes overnight before washing.

Washing soda is another good option for getting rid of those odour-causing bacteria. Mix one liter of washing soda with five liters of cold water and soak your clothes overnight before washing.

Special antibacterial laundry sanitizers can also be used. Just follow the instructions on the package.

Erstmals publiziert am: 15.08.2011

Aktualisiert: 27.05.2025