How To Get Pesky Sweat Smells Out of Your Shirt Armpits
Product Care
For when the stink is extra stubborn.
Supplies
- Boiling water
- Aspirin and cream of tartar
- Baking soda
- Salt
- White vinegar
- Liquid laundry detergent
Tools
- Soft-bristle brush or toothbrush
- Bucket
- Spray bottle
Picture this: You’ve just washed your workout shirt, but it still doesn’t smell fresh — especially in the armpit region. Fortunately, you can remove the stink using a few methods that are truly a cinch. Read on for some tricks.
(Related: The 11 Best Nike Gifts for Cyclists)
Shake Out Your Shirt After Your Workout
Right when you get home from the gym, hang your shirt to let the sweat evaporate. Don’t let your tee continue to sit wadded up in your gym bag.
Then, Wash as Soon as You Can
To prevent smells from building up and bacteria from growing, wash your shirts each time you wear them. Here’s how:
How to Remove Smell from Shirts
1.Turn Your Shirts Inside Out
This will expose the smelly underarm fabric.
2.Treat the Area Before Washing
To help fight odors, consider using one of these substances on your shirts before throwing them in the washing machine:
- Boiling water: Pour slowly over each smelly area.
- Aspirin plus cream of tartar: Mix one cup of warm water with a tablespoon of cream of tartar and three non-coated white aspirin tablets. Use a toothbrush designated for this purpose to scrub the paste into the underarm areas. Then, let sit for 20 minutes.
- Baking soda: Mix with warm water to create a paste, then rub into the underarm areas. Let sit for at least 15 minutes. Or presoak in a sink with 1/2 cup baking soda plus warm water.
- Salt: Soak in a bucket half-full of warm water plus 1/2 cup table salt.
- White vinegar: Soak in a 1:4 mixture of vinegar to water for half an hour.
- Liquid laundry detergent: Rub on smelly areas, then let sit for five minutes.
3.Wash in the Washing Machine
Use detergent plus warm or hot water. For odors that remain, run tees through the washing machine again.
4.Dry
Consider line-drying outside (or hanging in front of an open window).
5.Store
If you really want to go the extra mile, try layering dryer sheets in between your gym tees.
When You Don’t Have Time to Wash Right Away
Try one of these tactics — in order from the fastest to the more time-intensive — for when you can’t immediately wash your shirt. For convenience, dispense the first two solutions into mini spray bottles, and keep in your gym bag.
- Deodorizing spray: With this instant strategy, you can head straight from the gym to the office. Mix 16 ounces of witch hazel or distilled white vinegar with about 10 drops of essential oil (of any fragrance you like, such as lavender or rosemary) in a spray bottle. Or use a fabric refresher spray product. Shake well and spray on problem areas.
- Vodka: This is an alternative option for when you’re on the go. Pour vodka into a spray bottle and spray areas with odors.
- Baking soda: Sprinkle a small amount over smelly areas, let sit for 15 minutes or more, then shake off.
- Dryer: Throw the shirt in the dryer (on the hottest setting to kill more germs and viruses) for 10–15 minutes.
- Freezer: Place the tee in a plastic bag and stick it in the freezer for an hour. Then let it sit out to return to room temperature.
Consider Wearing More Cotton
Tees made with natural fibers (such as cotton) are more breathable than those made with synthetics (like polyester and rayon). One study, found in a 2014 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, compared the odors and bacterial count of cotton and polyester T-shirts worn during an intensive bicycle spinning session. They found that cotton tees did not harbor as much bacteria as synthetic blends, which is likely why shirts made with natural materials may not smell as strongly post-workout.
Words by Dina Cheney