Sweaty T-Shirt Smell: Why Does It Happen?

Sweaty T-shirts are a common problem, and it's not always down to poor hygiene. The type of fabric your T-shirt is made from can make a difference. Synthetic fabrics are less breathable than natural fabrics like cotton, wool, silk, and bamboo. They can also make it harder to wash away sweat, providing an ideal home for odour-causing bacteria and fungi.

If you're regularly washing your T-shirts and your body, but they still smell when you sweat, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, make sure you're not leaving damp T-shirts in an enclosed space like a washing basket or hamper, as this can cause odours to build up. You should also try washing your T-shirts at a higher temperature, as a 30-degree wash may not be hot enough to remove sweat.

There are also several household products that can help remove sweat odours from T-shirts, including vinegar, baking soda, citric acid, mouthwash, and meat tenderizer.

Washing machine maintenance

If your t-shirts smell when you sweat, it could be due to a variety of reasons. It could be that your t-shirts are not being washed properly, or that they are not drying fully before you wear them again. It could also be that your washing machine needs cleaning, or that you are using the wrong detergent or too much of it.

• Use the correct type and amount of detergent: Check the manufacturer's instructions for the recommended type and amount of detergent. High-efficiency machines, for example, perform best with low-sudsing detergent, so look for "HE" on the label.
• Don't overload the machine: Overloading your washing machine can damage it and prevent your clothes from being thoroughly cleaned.
• Clean the lint filter: Remove lint from your washer regularly to keep it running efficiently. The lint collector is usually located in the agitator tube or near the top of the washtub.
• Leave the machine open between loads: Leaving the lid or door open helps to dry out the unit and prevent the buildup of odors and mildew.
• Wash your washing machine: Use a washing machine cleaner tablet or a mixture of water and vinegar to clean your machine every month or so. This will help remove soap residue and buildup.
• Replace damaged water hoses: Check the hoses regularly for any signs of damage, such as bulging, cracking, fraying, or leaks. Replace them if any issues are found or as part of a proactive maintenance program every three to five years.
• Give the machine some space: Ensure there is at least four inches between the washing machine and the wall to prevent the hoses from kinking.
• Level and balance the machine: An unbalanced washing machine can vibrate and move during the spin cycle, potentially damaging the floor and the machine. Adjust the legs to balance the washer.
• Use a drip pan: Place a drip pan or drain pan under the machine to catch any small water leaks and prevent water damage to the floor or surrounding areas.

By following these maintenance tips, you can help keep your washing machine in good working condition and ensure your clothes are being effectively cleaned, reducing the chances of unpleasant odors.

Fabric softener alternatives

T-shirts can smell when you sweat due to a variety of factors, including the type of fabric, the effectiveness of washing, and individual body chemistry. To prevent this, it is recommended to wash your clothes properly, use the correct type of detergent, and ensure your washing machine is clean.

Fabric softeners are often used to enhance the feel and scent of laundry, but they are not necessary and can even be detrimental to certain fabrics. Fabric softeners can leave residues, reduce absorbency, cause allergic reactions, and have a negative environmental impact.

• Vinegar: White vinegar can act as a natural fabric softener and odour neutraliser. Add half a cup to one cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften fabrics, reduce static cling, and remove detergent residues.
• Baking Soda: Baking soda helps soften fabrics and eliminate odours. Add half a cup to one cup to the wash cycle. Do not use baking soda and vinegar together, as they will cancel each other out.
• Wool Dryer Balls: These natural wool fibre balls help soften fabrics, absorb moisture, reduce static cling, and decrease drying time. They are also perfect for people with allergies, asthma, and sensitive skin.
• Aluminum Foil: Crumpling up a sheet of aluminium foil and adding it to the dryer can help reduce static cling by dissipating electric charges.
• Air Drying: Hanging clothes outdoors or on a drying rack can result in naturally softened fabrics.
• Essential Oils: Adding a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or eucalyptus, to dryer balls or a cloth and tossing them in the dryer can impart a pleasant, natural scent.
• Scented Vinegar: Infuse white vinegar with herbs or citrus peels and use it as a fragrant rinse for your laundry.
• Homemade Sachets: Create small fabric pouches filled with dried lavender, rose petals, or other fragrant herbs and place them in your drawers or closet to impart a lovely scent to your clothes.
• Reusable Dryer Sheets: Soak cloth squares in a mixture of water, vinegar, and essential oils to create reusable, eco-friendly dryer sheets.
• Scented Laundry Detergent: Opt for natural laundry detergents that use plant-based fragrances to provide a gentle and refreshing scent to your laundry.

Clothing material

Synthetic vs. Natural Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, are popular choices for activewear and everyday clothing due to their durability and moisture-wicking properties. However, they are notorious for trapping body odour. Synthetic fibres do not breathe as well as natural fibres, allowing sweat and bacteria to become trapped against the skin and leading to odour buildup. Polyester, for example, naturally attracts oil from our skin, creating an ideal environment for odour-causing bacteria to thrive.

On the other hand, natural fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo, and merino wool are much better at preventing body odour. They allow air to circulate, wick away moisture, and can have antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of odour-causing bacteria.

Fabric Blends

Many clothing items are made from a blend of synthetic and natural fibres. While these blends may offer the benefits of both types of materials, they can still trap body odour due to the presence of synthetic fibres. For example, a shirt made from a blend of cotton and polyester may be more breathable than pure polyester, but it can still retain odours.

Fabric Thickness

Thick and tightly woven fabrics, such as wool and fleece, can also trap body odour. While these materials are excellent at retaining warmth, they can hold onto moisture and bacteria, leading to unpleasant smells. Proper ventilation and regular washing are essential for minimising odour buildup in thick fabrics.

Moisture-Wicking Properties

Fabrics with good moisture-wicking properties can help reduce sweat smell. These fabrics draw moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and reducing the environment in which odour-causing bacteria thrive. Merino wool, Tencel (Lyocell), and hemp are examples of natural fibres with excellent moisture-wicking abilities.

Anti-Odour Technology

Some clothing incorporates anti-odour technology, such as chemically treated antimicrobial fabrics, fabric woven or treated with silver, or volcanic ash-treated fabrics. These technologies capture, block, or kill odour-causing bacteria, reducing body odour. However, it is important to consider the safety and longevity of these treatments, as some may lose efficacy after washing or have potential negative effects on the environment.

In summary, when choosing clothing material to reduce sweat smell, opt for natural, breathable fabrics with good moisture-wicking properties, such as cotton, linen, bamboo, merino wool, Tencel, or hemp. Avoid synthetic fabrics, especially for base layers, as they tend to trap odour. Thick fabrics and fabric blends can also contribute to odour retention, so choose wisely and practise good hygiene and laundry habits to stay fresh and confident.

Antiperspirant use

Antiperspirants are products that prevent perspiration. They contain active ingredients like aluminium and zirconium salts that form gel-like plugs in sweat ducts, stopping sweat from reaching the skin's surface. They are often formulated with deodorants as well.

While you may have heard rumours that the aluminium in deodorant may not be safe, research to date shows that deodorants and antiperspirants are not linked to an increased risk of cancer, according to Janiene Luke, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at Loma Linda University in California.

If you are looking for a strong antiperspirant, you could try the following:

• Certain Dri Extra Strength Clinical Antiperspirant Deodorant
• Secret Clinical Strength Stress Response Antiperspirant Deodorant
• Degree Men Cool Rush Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick
• Degree Women Sexy Intrigue MotionSense Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick
• Degree Advanced 72H MotionSense Antiperspirant Deodorant

If you are looking for a natural antiperspirant, you could try the following:

• PiperWai Natural Deodorant
• Schmidt's Natural Deodorant
• Native Aluminum-Free Deodorant in Coconut & Vanilla
• Freedom Natural Deodorant Stick
• Mario Badescu Deodorant

Washing techniques

• Wash your clothes regularly and promptly after wearing, especially if they are sweaty.
• Wash your clothes inside out to ensure that the odour-causing areas are thoroughly cleaned.
• Use the right wash cycle setting for the level of soiling and type of fabric. For example, use a heavy-duty cycle for heavily soiled clothing with a strong sweat odour.
• Wash synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester in cold water to prevent stains and damage to the fibres.
• Wash clothing made from natural fibres, such as linen and cotton, in warm water to effectively dissolve dirt, body oils, and stains.
• Use an odour-eliminating laundry detergent or add a cup of vinegar or baking soda to the wash cycle to neutralise and absorb odours.
• For tough odours, use an enzymatic cleaner or laundry sanitiser, such as Nature's Miracle Laundry Boost enzymatic cleaner or Lysol Laundry Sanitizer.
• If your clothes still smell after washing, soak them in a solution of vinegar and warm water for 30 minutes before washing again.
• To prevent sweat stains and odours, pretreat the offending areas with a paste made from baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the affected areas, let it sit for up to 30 minutes, then wash as usual.
• To remove odours from clothes without washing, hang them in direct sunlight, which can kill bacteria.
• Alternatively, mix a solution of lemon juice and water and spray it onto your clothes. Lemon has antimicrobial properties and acts as a natural deodorant.
• For tough stains and odours, pretreat the affected areas with an antibacterial spray designed for laundry.
• To prevent the build-up of mildew and bacteria in your washing machine, regularly clean it using vinegar and baking soda.

Frequently asked questions