Getting Rid of B.O.

Updated on May 19, 2008
T.L. asks from Englewood, CO
27 answers

I just pulled out my summer clothes, washed and ironed them and I've noticed that they just don't smell clean. I can't seem to get the smell of body odor out of the pits! Does anyone have any suggestions?

3 moms found this helpful

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K.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Vinger and baking soda. Poor the vinger on the areas to be cleaned and sprinkle baking soda. It will bubble up, just let it set for a few and wash as you normally would

1 mom found this helpful
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M.F.

answers from St. Louis on

As soon as the washer stops put the clothes into the dryer. The longer they sit in the washer the worse the smell will become. And if you have to change the detergent until you find the one that works for you. And if you add bleech to colors, just add 1 or 2 tablespoons. not a cup. That took me a while to learn how not to get bleech stains. Just a little helps even with whites.

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S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Try using about a cup of baking soda in the wash. Just after you put your soap in the machine dump in the baking soda, add clothes, and wash. I use this a lot in my laundry. Or you can try soaking the clothes for awhile. Just fill the machine like you are doing a normal wash, then let it agitate for a few minutes and turn the machine off for awhile. I usually wait an hour or two. I think also a little vinegar in the rinse cycle will help, but I am not 100% on that. I do not suggest using the baking soda and vinegar together!! I hope this helps you out. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.W.

answers from Kansas City on

Have you tried putting spray and wash or shout specifically on the under arm parts and re washing and then using a nice strong fabric softener? You then could hang to dry and spritz with febreeze. That is a lot of chemical to put on your clothing but that is the best I can think of. Other than using it as a nice reason to go out and buy yourself some new summer stuff! :) Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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Y.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Use peroxide & baking soda in your laundry & a fabric softner, that should help. Good luck!

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B.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Try vinager that might help, put it in your laundry, when washing

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M.N.

answers from Springfield on

T.,

I've heard that adding amonia helps to get rid of smells. You will have to be careful not to use bleach at the same time, however. But it may be worth a try.

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M.J.

answers from Kansas City on

If you soak the pits in a mixture of salt and vinegar for about 30 minutes to an hour and then wash as normal, it not only gets out smells, but it gets out any discoloration from deodarant, sweat, whatever- even on whites! I've also heard of using salt mixed with lemon juice- but never tried it! Also, baking soda works great for getting smells out of laundry- I throw in 1/4 cup of baking soda in every load of laundry- I've done this for years... my clothes always smell fresh and clean! Good luck!

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

I would pull all the clothes that you just ironed and soak them in the washing machine with your detergent in cold water add some baking soda to the mix.

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A.E.

answers from Springfield on

My hubby is in the military and comes home every day with the smelliest, stinkiest exercise clothes... (NASTY!!!) Anyway, I wash his PTs and all of his clothes with a scoop of oxy clean along with my detergent. We've never had a problem with smelly clothes since I've been doing this. I wish Oxy Clean would contact me about writing a commercial for them because I could tell about so many different occasions where it has turned our laundry woes in to nothingness...... Oxy Clean is the way to go!!!
Trust Me!!!

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J.E.

answers from Kansas City on

Run the clothes through the wash cycle only with 1 cup+ of vinegar and let it drain. Then before the rinse cycle, start the wash cycle just as you normally would.

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I use Borox, it's a box in the detergent isle. It works wonders for odors/stains that won't come out. I also use Baking Soda

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B.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Sudsy ammonia works wonders for all types of odors. You don't want to mix it with any type of bleach product, but regular detergent is fine. I had a friend who worked with gas stations and would have gas on his clothes and the sudsy ammonia worked every time. My daughter is starting a job working concessions stands for the city and her clothes have the 'fast food funk' - I'm going to try it on those - I think it will work :) Good luck

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J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you ever tried Oxiclean? Put a small scoop in your washer and let the clothes soak w/warm water for an hour or so before washing them how you normally would. Works everytime for me and gets rid of any 'organic' type stains easily--food, drink, dirt, etc. Hope that helps!

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E.H.

answers from St. Louis on

Try disolving a cup of baking soda in some water and add it to the wash cycle. That usually neutralizes odors. I would then run them through two rinse cycles. Your can go online and look up "Hints From Heloise". She always has home remedies for smells, stains, and general cleaning.

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L.A.

answers from Topeka on

I had that happen with my towels once. It got bad enough that the closet smelled. I changed soap and it went away. I had used the old soap for a long time but all of a sudden, it wasn't working. That's an easy solution. It might not work but its worth a try.

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J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm sure you've already gotten this answer but they have detergent with Febreze in it. Works great.

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C.K.

answers from Springfield on

T.,
Can you forward me any responses you get? I have the same problem.
Thanks
C.

____@____.com

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J.P.

answers from St. Joseph on

Make a thin paste of baking soda and lemon juice and put on affected area or make a half cup of thinned paste and add it with detergent. Works like a charm!

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J.C.

answers from Kansas City on

My wife puts vingar on the spots before putting them into the washer Jim

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C.R.

answers from Knoxville on

When you are ready to launder start the washer add 1 cup of baking soda for a large load or 1/2 cup for small to medium load. Do this only with liqued detergent. If you use powder detergent make sure detergent is dissolving in the water first then use something like shout stain remover, in a pinch I have even used shampoo just a general shampoo only,not with conditioner or special shampoos for dandruff or colored hair etc... Let them soak for a while also.

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M.R.

answers from St. Louis on

so glad you asked. i have the same problem. thanks for all the suggestions!

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning T., I was giggling girl it's not you lack domestic skills at all. Some stains & oders just seem to hang on. Rewash them and if you can catch the rinse cycle add some of the nice smelling fabric softener.

When you pack away your winter things take what you can afford to dry cleaner, they can deorderise them and hang them up. Pack them in tubs with dryer sheets. That will definitely help. Good Luck and don't be so h*** o* yourself, trial and error ( for me anyway ) always helps.
K.

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M.D.

answers from St. Louis on

try a cup of vinegar in your wash

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J.N.

answers from Columbia on

Try using spray n wash stick on them and then wash. It helps sometimes.

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B.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Lemon juice and baking soda. Spray the lemon juice on the area, and baking soda in the washing machine. You can also use baking soda to clean you stainless steel sink, just make a paste spread it on the sink leave it for about five minutes and rise.

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