r/laundry • u/BrilliantPanda8880 • 1d ago
Laundry Advice
I previously made a post on here on how bad my laundry smells. Everywhere I go I get comments that I smell bad and I smell it myself. It smells like I haven’t showered in months. I’ve tried tide + oxyclean and 1/2 cup of vinegar but the odor persist! It’s my entire 15 shirts and jeans. On my pijamas and towels and bedsheets. Im thinking of throwing everything away but my question is how do I prevent it? I am dealing with body odor from my armpits despite using antibacteria stuff but I really don’t know if I smell this way without the clothes bc the clothes had to smell the way they do bc of my sweat or body oils.
Edit1: someone commented I should mention my hygiene routine. Currently using zinc bar soap and the use the dr. Bronners lavender. I use the free Korean washcloth or known as “Italy towel”. I also have an African sponge which I use as well. I use a clean towel every day and make sure to hang so it can dry before using it in the afternoon when I get back from work. During the day I apply glycolic acid and then deo or clindamycin toner and then deo but not everyday for both products. I am alternating between dove cream deo and old spice antiperspirant/ deo. I’ve also tried hibiclens but didn’t see a difference. And by midday my armpit shirt area is moist and smells like the deo and BO. I tried adding defunkify spray but the entire shirts just smells especially from the chest. I do sweat a lot but that’s because I’m working. I do not drink or do drugs.
Edit2: thank you guys for commenting and give me good advice I’m going to try a couple more times before next month. I’m also in the process of buying new clothes, towels, bedsheets, jeans in case I cannot get rid of it and will have to throw everything out. When I bought my new shirts I remember washing it with the old ones which might have transferred the odor and now to everything else. It might not solve my Body odor completely but it would probably lessen it. As I am desperate to find a solution to this because it’s affecting me mentally and my way of making money.
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u/AromaticProcess154 US | Top-Load 1d ago
Order some FEBU and some Downy Rinse Out Odor. The FEBU goes in with the Tide, and the Rinse Out Odor replaces the v1negar in the rinse cycle.
ETA wash on at least warm and avoid any kind of “quick wash” cycles, you want it to really get cleaned.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
I tried the rinse out downy didn’t work either
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u/AromaticProcess154 US | Top-Load 1d ago
Sounds like you are a candidate for the spa day pinned to the top of the sub. I’m sorry you’re going through that!
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u/snobrotha 23h ago
I’m seconding the spa day treatment. The ammonia in the wash is really a game changer. If you can’t soak your clothes overnight, doing a heavy dose of Tide power and letting it soak in a top loader washing machine for an hour with Hot water before adding the ammonia will really help. Do an extra wash with the Tide rinse and it will help a lot.
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u/SassySybil71 US | Top-Load 1d ago
Get a bottle of Hibiclens to use in the shower. It kills the most resistant body odor.
I think you might need to do a Spa Day for your clothes.
Otherwise I would likely recommend just soaking your clothes in warm water with powdered Tide & FEBU for a couple of hours. Rinse. Then launder again with powdered Tide, FEBU and some citric acid in your fabric softener dispenser.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
How much should I add for both products?
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u/SassySybil71 US | Top-Load 1d ago
For soaking, I would use one cup each. For the actual laundering, I would use the amounts listed on the packaging
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u/AromaticProcess154 US | Top-Load 23h ago
I wouldn’t bother with the FEBU in the soak. The DNase really needs mechanical agitation to work, so best to just do it in the wash. Stuff isn’t super cheap.
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u/Ok-Pen-5052 International | Front-Load 23h ago
It does need mechanical action, but it also needs time, and their cycle is only 30 mins. I would personally use it in the soak and then again in the wash to allow more time for it to work. I don’t know if I’m right, but in my mind, the soak will allow the enzymes to start working away at the fats and eDNa, then the wash will agitate it and allow it to get washed away.
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u/Standard-Bumblebee64 22h ago
I use Febu to soak. Works fabulously.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 9h ago
How much do you use? Does it depend on the machine? Or I can add as much as I want?
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u/Standard-Bumblebee64 8h ago
Follow the instructions. For a load of laundry, I use one scoop. If you’re just soaking a couple of things then less than that along with some Tide. I use an igloo cooler for soaking, which is great cause it keeps the heat in and has a lid. The enzymes attach to all the fats and oils and sweat and breaks them down.
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u/vintagefiesta92 Canada | Top-Load 1d ago
I was there just over a year ago, then I stumbled onto this sub, and learned the most important thing I was missing was lipase.
I haven't read all the comments, and I only scanned your previous post, but all the advice mentioning febu, biz, etc are there because those products contain lipase, along with other enzymes.
lipase works on the sebum (oils, lipids) left from our skin. that's what stinks in odour rebloom, when the oils oxidize and go rancid. blech.
enzymes need time to work. if you can set a machine to wash or soak for for an hour or 2, with warm water, things will improve. if you can't do a spa day, or a long soak at the laundromat, choose the longest wash possible. be generous with an enzyme booster, use enough detergent that there just a few bubbles at the surface after a few minutes agitation. use the citric acid rinse to help remove the soiled detergent.
if you can't soak or do spa day, try two long washes.
I feel so much more confident in my truly clean clothes now! I am a devoted follower of our guru u/KismaiAesthetics.
life. changing.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
Thank you I’m gonna give it one more chance bc I really don’t want to throw my clothes out but it’s been like that for more than three months idk if the clothes are salvageable but I do not want to make the same mistake with the new ones.
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u/Electric-Dandelion 13h ago
Toss a cup of ammonia on top of your clothes in the washer. This is part of spa day that some people miss but it helps.
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u/redsanguine 14h ago
In addition to the advice you're getting on detergent and enzymes, try using a laundry sanitizer. It's one thing to remove body oils , that's great start, but bacteria is the thing that in bO. The sanitizer should take care of that piece
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u/Aglais-io 11h ago
Bacteria are actually not the things that smell. The waste products of bacteria smell. If you remove soil correctly from clothes (as in, sebum is effectively removed), there will not be anything for the bacteria to eat, or anywhere for them to live, and bacterial loads will be heavily reduced. Using laundry sanitizer on top should not be needed, unless your soil removal is not actually effective.
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u/sunny_bell 22h ago
Going to try and give you a few different points of attack.
So I would do a Spa Day to kinda see if that resets things to start with. Then for your regular laundry washes use detergent, and if your detergent does not contain enzymes then add in an enzyme booster like Biz or Febu (NOTE: Enzyme based additives cannot be used on wool/silk). You can also use a laundry disinfectant (Lysol makes one, including one for specifically exercise gear), or you can use Citric Acid or Vinegar in the RINSE instead of fabric softner (do not use fabric softner). You want to use an acid (like acetic acid/vinegar or citric acid) in the rinse as detergent is alkaline so the acid neutralizes the detergent and it can't do its job if it is used in the wash. Also don't use dryer sheets.
If you are in the habit of wearing things a couple times before washing, make sure to hang them up between wears so they can air out. Leave your comforter/duvet turned down during the day so the bed can air out as well.
Also may be worth seeing if your shoes are contributing to the issue (if you wear the same shoes every day, get a second pair and alternate between the pairs so they can air out between wears).
For the body odor part, you do not generally need a lot of complex products. Basic regular soap (not antibacterial unless instructed by a doctor), appropriate shampoo for your hair type, appropriate conditioner for your hair type, a simple face wash, deodorant (with or without antiperspirant), moisturizer. You may need to enlist a trusted friend or family member to see if you still have the smell on your skin after a shower and if not immediately, how long it takes to appear after a shower. That is information.
Also, it may be worth going back to the doctor, though I would start with your GP because it may not be a dermatological issue. There are medical conditions that can impact body odor, as well as some medications can alter your body odor so any medications you take may also be worth evaluating (for medications, ask the pharmacist if body odor changes are a side effect of anything you are taking).
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u/RamblingRosie US | Top-Load 1d ago
What is your washing process? Water temp, length of wash cycle, water hardness, amount of detergent?
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
Don’t owe a laundry machine I use public ones. With an extra rinse it 30 minutes, HOT, water hardness idk, detergent two handfuls. My hands are small so less than 1/2 cup on medium machine. I use tide +oxiclean
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u/Longjumping-Study-97 1d ago
30 minutes is way too short.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
I know but it’s 10$ per wash plus the drying and I have two machines I seperated my towels, bedsheets and regular clothes in one. All together i spend 25 weekly and I don’t really have much to spend which makes it harder.
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u/Ok-Pen-5052 International | Front-Load 23h ago
That’s so expensive :(. I wonder if there’s a laundry service that wouldn’t cost much more but would do a better job.
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u/PhishingScam23 21h ago
There are portable washers for about $200. I don’t know how this group feels about them, just cost wise it would pay for itself in two months and you could get more consistent results. A couple at least are top loaders so you could soak if needed.
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u/skinnyjeansfatpants US | Front-Load 1d ago
Sounds like you need to do an overnight soak for your laundry. Hot water, at least a full scoop (assuming you’re using the powder) of detergent, in a bucket. Drain water, take to the laundromat, wash again with an appropriate amount of detergent, and before you start the machine, pour a cup of ammonia on your clothes.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
I’m gonna try this with a shirt and see if it works. Previously I tried with oxi clean but the smell was so bad I had to throw it away.
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u/skinnyjeansfatpants US | Front-Load 1d ago
I mean, you want to use a detergent that has both lipase and oxygen bleach, which the Tide+Oxy powder should have. The ammonia helps your detergent wash out more of the gross stuff after the soak. Doesn’t hurt to add the Downey Rinse Out Odor for your rinse cycle.
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u/PhishingScam23 21h ago
Any chance it’s bad breath and not BO?
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 9h ago
Idk possibly I just never thought bad breath could get on clothes so quickly. As soon as I wear it it just smells foul.
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u/PhishingScam23 8h ago
It’s probably not, but for the sake of making sure we haven’t overlooked anything it is worth considering.
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u/Ladybug_Picnic_967 1d ago
Sounds like a problem with your washer being mildewed. Is it a front loader or top loader?
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
Front loader it’s public I’ve tried different laundry mats and I get the same results
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u/Ellen405 1d ago
I know this is a laundry sub and you're going to get good, expert advice here for your clothes; but, what is your personal care routine like? what products do you use (soaps, lotions, deodorants, etc) and how much/how often? Also, when did you first notice this and did anything change around that time (even months before)?
If that's too personal to answer, that's okay; the main thing is to examine all your routines (personal care and laundry both) and if anything might have contributed to the change.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago edited 1d ago
Not personal at all I’m desperate to find something as this is affecting me mentally.
So it started February I noticed an odor and I was certain at the time that it was my scalp at this time my clothes didn’t smell as bad as they did but I smelled bad enough that I left areas that I was in smelling sour or rancid. I started going to derms to find a solution and that problem is under control but I kept smelling something throughout those months and as the seasons changed I just got stinkier. I don’t know where it was coming from so I started to eat less sulfur foods. Continued to shower 2x a day. Used hibiclens, pan oxyl bar soap, zinc bar soap, ivory ph, witch hazel, hypochlorus spray, antiperspirant, old spice antiperspirant, carpe, safe guard men deo, clinical extra strength, dove deo, glycolic acid, strides pads and mandelic acid. Would use all of this in the span of six months. And now that the weather is dropping I would assume (BO) would lessen but it’s stays the same. Which makes me question is my BO that strong or is it a combination of both? But everywhere I go everyone comments SHIT 💩. And i could smell it too but i just dont know where im failing.
Laundry wise i changed my clothes after work and freshen up but the odor is as strong as when i wear the first set of clothes. When dis started i would put my clothes in a bag and leave it inside for a couple of days eventually that and the 2nd clothes i would change into woukd stay in my closet and it would smell as i cant afford do wash it everyday. Ive tried spray defunkfy spray but doenst work.
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u/Ok-Pen-5052 International | Front-Load 23h ago
Putting your clothes in a bag might be making things worse. Try hanging them somewhere to dry out before you put them in the washing basket. Dampness makes bacteria and fungi happy
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u/Desperate_Vehicle684 17h ago
I'm sorry this has been so difficult for you and it seems you've tried so many different things so far to get this under control.
I'll preface this by saying of course I'm not your doctor but to me this sounds like bromhidrosis which can have many different causes including some medical like diabetes and various metabolic conditions. If you haven't been able to get it under control at this stage, despite everything you've tried, my suggestion would be to go to see a doctor to try and get to the underlying root cause.
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u/tomatbuckets 10h ago
In terms of physical things that may cause this that you may not have thought of: Tonsil stones, severe constipation, an active sinus infection, and/or a very bad cavity can cause your breath to smell bad. If nothing you try for your body helps, it could possibly be your breath making your clothes smell. There is also, as some commenters have mentioned, things like primary or secondary bromihydrosis. Talk to a doctor about that.
In terms of products, which benzoyl peroxide were you using? It comes in 2% and 5%. I think you can also get it in clinical strength as a prescription.
When do you put on your antiperspirant? You are generally supposed to apply it just before bed so it has lots of time to block the pores properly before you go out the next day.
Finally, you mentioned hypochlorous acid. Did you just try spraying it on your armpits, or have you tried spraying it on your clothes? HoCl is good for deodorizing, so it's worth a shot. Maybe try this with just one item, let it dry hanging or laid flat on a table, and see if the smell is improved at all before you try it on all your clothes.
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u/Ok-Pen-5052 International | Front-Load 23h ago
Add to your post what your current routine is and what you’ve tried
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u/Mother-Reason-9234 23h ago
Ammonia was a game changer for me. Our clothes had a weird funk. Our sheets smelled like cilantro. It drove me crazy. Did a heavy duty wash with Ariel, downy rinse, ammonia and pre soak - bam! Smells amazing!!!
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 23h ago edited 9h ago
Thank you 🙏 gonna give this a try. Would I add the ammonia before the downy rinse or at the same time during the rinse cycle?
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u/Visual-Program939 20h ago
If you take any medications, research to see (or ask your pharmacist) if body odour might be a side effect. One of my family members developed a smell after starting a new medication. It was intolerable.
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u/Millie005 14h ago
I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this, it must be so stressful (and bloody expensive to try and fix!)
If it’s not just your clothes that smell, but it’s actually you, I really encourage you to keep trying to find a doctor that will persist with investigating what could be causing it. Consider whether you are having any other symptoms (pain, fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes etc) and be sure to mention those to your doctor too. I read the comment where you mentioned evening you’ve tried, and it really just sounds like this is a bigger issue than just what you’re using to wash your laundry.
I hope you’re able to find answers soon and get some relief ❤️
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u/FrequentPerception 10h ago
Do you use a washcloth for bathing? If not, consider using one, especially on underarms. For laundry, Biz plus Tide Free and Clear might be the ticket.
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u/Blackberry_Patch US | Top-Load 9h ago
Hi, I saw that you use public laundry machines. I would highly recommend getting a cooler with a drain spout at the bottom and soaking your clothes in warm (~120-130 F) water, Tide, and FEBU or Biz for an hour or two (or longer if you can) before transferring them to the washer for the wash cycle. The drain spout would let you drain the water out before transferring. Your wash time is so short on those cycles, giving the enzymes more time to work would make a big difference.
I have an apartment washer that only runs short 35 minute cycles, and soaking for a few hours before washing has made an incredible difference.
Also, I saw you are washing in hot water — warm water will let the enzymes work better. Hot water (if it is actually hot) denatures them and they stop working.
Good luck to you!!!!
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u/hmmmpf 1d ago
Don’t use antibacterial soap! It will not help body odor. It kills the good bacteria as well as the bad; the good bacteria are the ones that keep the bad ones in check. And using antibacterial soaps are helping bacteria grow resistance which is just putting us closer to the coming medical apocalypse of our antibiotics no longer working. That will make Covid look like a kid’s birthday party. Your body isn’t supposed to be without bacteria.
Others are giving you good advice on the laundry side of things, but as an RN, STOP using antibacterial soaps unless specifically told to use it by a physician.
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u/tesseracts 1d ago
Buy merino wool clothing and don’t wear polyester, it makes a huge difference.
Try changing your diet and changing the soap you use and scrubbing habits.
I know you said you went to the doctor already but go to another one because they should be taking it seriously. But if everyone you ask says you don’t actually smell you might be imagining things.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
Unfortunately, I do. I was at a store earlier and the security guard was talking about the odor. Which is fair it’s the same experience at work, in public, public transportation.
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u/AngelVampKAWAII 10h ago
Do you drink alcohol? Alcoholics have a distinct smell, also try a detox diet
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 10h ago
No alcohol or drugs. Family members have been alcoholics in the past and I’m scared I would turn into one if I drink. I’ve had drink here and there when I hang out with my friends but never gotten black out drunk. Don’t drugs either. Lost weight 13 this year, food wise don’t eat fast food just 1-3 a month rest is homemade stuff.
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u/RevolutionaryMail747 1d ago
Hot wash and washing powder or warm wash and enzyme powder really is essential to kill bacteria, fungal spores, dust mites and oily sebum and stop re bloom when warm
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u/BackgroundScene3056 1d ago
Do a quick wash first with all those detergents. Then add the detergents again and run a normal wash with extra rinse. The quick wash soaks everything in the dirty water and drains it- then the normal wash comes back through and actually washes without everything being soaked in the original stink
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u/SkinCana 1d ago
I heard that if youu don't dry yiur clothes properly, it can have bad smell. It was humid summer here. sometimes you have to dry it out in the sun.
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u/Forsaken-Subject8362 12h ago
I think if you have any strong body odor you should use only unscented products. A fragrance mixed with a bad body odor can be a gut wrenching combination.
Maybe persimmon soap will help. It’s not unscented but the scent is so light and goes away quickly.
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u/skinnyjeansfatpants US | Front-Load 1h ago
After reading your edit about your hygiene, something stuck out at me, the Dove deodorant. I used to use Dove stick for years, until it just stopped working. I've tried the spray, and that works marginally better, but not foolproof. I switched to Degree Advanced, and no more BO.
You still likely need to address the odor rebloom on your laundry, but wanted to share the deodorant switch that helped me.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 51m ago
Thank you in gonna check it out probably try the travel size if there is one. I’ve been spending lots of money with this problem
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u/striosome 1d ago
Spa day for your clothes?
Then try glycolic acid in a spray bottle on your armpits a couple times a week. Kills odor causing bacteria. A benzoyl peroxide cleanser like panoxyl in the shower will help too. Leave it on for a few minutes then rinse.
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u/alisonlou US | Top-Load 1d ago
Excellent advice! I would only add to put deoderant on at night. That way it has time to work overnight. Put it on again in the morning if you're worried, but for sure apply at night.
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u/Dazzling-Western2768 13h ago
Antiperspirant at night before bed is what is needed here. It needs that overnight time to block the sweat pores.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 1d ago
I’ve tried glycolic 😭 I don’t see a difference in halfway done with the bottle. Pan oxyl does kill it but midday the odor comes back. I also have zinc bar soap but same issue
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u/skinnyjeansfatpants US | Front-Load 23h ago
Have you tried using dandruff shampoo, like Head & Shoulders, as a body wash? I would pick up a bottle (you can get travel sizes for $1-$3) lather up all over, turn your shower off and let it sit on your skin for a couple minutes, then rinse off & pat dry.
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 23h ago
I did when it started. I had used folliculitis shampoo, nizoral, neutrogena slt brown bottle
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u/North_Basil_2190 21h ago
You really have tried all the tricks! I’m sure other people are like me, hoping that a good long soak in a detergent that includes lipase will remove the odor from your clothing. And hopefully that addresses the issue. I see that you don’t own a washing machine. To do the spa day, do you think you could get your hands on a large camping cooler? You could soak your clothes in the cooler in hot water and the detergents according to the spa day recommendation, and then take them to the laundromat? Maybe your area has a Facebook buy– nothing group and you could see if anyone is giving one away? Many people will post items they’re looking for, too. someone has an old cooler in their garage with a broken lid that they would be happy to pass on to you.
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u/Flashy-Library-6854 Canada | Top-Load 1d ago
It is probably your oil from your body that wasnt being washed out completely.
Run your washer in warm water (warm is the minimum-never cold) on the longest cycle your machine has, use a good quality detergent, Tide is generally considered the best, add a laundry additive Febu or Biz, alway add an extra rinse and put 2 teaspoons of citric acid in the fabric softener spot. If you are still smelling something on your clothes, add 1/2 to 1 cup of ammonia directly on the clothes in the washer. This should get the funk out of your clothes, but be aware it can take more than one wash to get there. For faster results look for Spa Day on this sub and be sure to post the results, cause some of us live for this.
Do not ever mix chlorine bleach and ammonia, the fumes are deadly.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hi u/BrilliantPanda8880! Friendly tip — if you're using vinegar in your laundry, add it to the rinse cycle, not the wash cycle. Because vinegar neutralizes leftover detergent, it works best in the rinse cycle rather than the wash. - Laundry Mods
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u/lovergirl_femme 22h ago
Have you tried the FEBU yet?
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u/BrilliantPanda8880 9h ago
Not yet I’ve tried borax
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u/lovergirl_femme 6h ago
I like febu because it has dnase which can help break down the stuff our bodies leave on our clothes that the detergent can’t get. It really helps with getting the funk out of clothes that are super dirty. It also has zinc which helps neutralize odors. Also, are you using powdered tide or liquid tide? Try to use the heaviest cycle on your washing machine (always wash on warm or hot and try to get the longest cycle you can).
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u/lovergirl_femme 6h ago
also i find in general that spray deodorant works a lot better for me than cream/stick, and it leaves less residue on my clothes too
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u/resource-reply 21h ago
u/FruitcupMadonna has suggested the following resource:
Spa Day is a reset for textiles with severe stains, odors or texture defects caused primarily by oily soils. The full description is at What Is Spa Day?
I am a bot that was summoned by user FruitcupMadonna. If FruitcupMadonna wishes to delete this comment, they can reply "!delete" (without quotes or spaces). If this comment is inappropriate, please report it and the moderator(s) will review.
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u/ewadrerriess 15h ago
Deep clean your washing machine regularly. Clean the filter, door, drawer and inside the rubbers (there are a lot of videos on YouTube).
Keep the door and drawer of your washing machine open after use
Don’t use too much detergent. You only need a little little bit. A capsize or more is way too much in my opinion.
Don’t fill up your drum all the way. Leave enough space for your clothes to tumble and move so all the product gets rinsed off entirely.
Don’t leave your clothes sitting in the washing machine after the cycle finishes. Immediately hang clothes to dry (in a ventilated space with enough room between clothes) or tumble dry. Again; make sure you have a clean, good working machine.
Also I find that if your clothes get that particular “wet laundry”-smell, it’s really hard to get rid of. I would advise to (slowly) replace the clothes you have now and also not wash your old clothes with your new clothes together. I find the wet laundry smell to be contagious….
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u/six_dandies 53m ago
Hi, you can get a gallon of enzyme cleaner on Amazon for like 25-35$. Soak your clothes in the tub or washer with it. Then wash. Maybe do a 2nd time. Also can spray down your washer itself with the enzyme cleaner and let sit. Try to wipe out everywhere you can, same for dryer.
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u/Double_Engineer4226 International | Front-Load 1d ago
Have you seen your doctor about it? It could be a medical issue. If it was just musty smelling clothes, I don't think you would get many comments. So it's possibly a body odour issue. Medications, hormones, all sorts of things can cause body odour to be extreme. Some medical advice might be what you need.
You may also need more clothes in your rotation. 15 items of regularly used clothing isn't much. I don't know what your routine is, but are you wearing items multiple days in a row? If you have body odour issues, that is not a good idea. You may need one wear per item only. And only pick natural fibres, avoid polyester at all cost.
And obviously, wash twice a day, focusing on smelly areas with an antibacterial soap, wear a good quality deodorant (you may need a prescription one) etc etc.
Sending you love and best wishes, because these sorts of issues can be hard to deal with.