How to get body odor out of clothes

What causes clothes to smell?

Body odor already has a pungent smell by itself, so it’s not hard to see why it can cause your clothes to stink once it gets transferred to them, lingering especially in the armpit areas of shirts and workout clothes.

Synthetic fabrics, like those found in athletic wear, can easily trap stinky sweat—in fact, that is what they are often designed to do—which makes them likely to hold onto odor, sometimes even after washing.

How to wash clothes with a body odor smell

To try to rid body odor from clothing, act quickly, use the right supplies and choose appropriate laundry settings. The steps below outline how to help remove smells from clothing while protecting your garments. But whatever treatment method you choose, be sure to check your care tags first and test the treatment on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment first to make sure the fabric can handle it.

1. Don’t put wet sweaty clothes in the hamper

Let sweaty clothes air dry before tossing them in the hamper. Smelly, damp clothes tossed into a pile with other clothes may only start to smell worse, and can also make the clothes piled around them smell as well. Instead, hang garments up to dry until you can wash them.

2. Wash smelly clothes ASAP

The longer sweaty clothes sit, the more odor can set in. Wash sweaty clothes as soon as possible to prevent lingering smells. If you can’t wash them right away, let them hang to dry fully first.

3. Turn clothes inside out

Washing clothes inside out helps remove odor from the inner layers where sweat and smells tend to concentrate.

4. Pre-treat with baking soda or vinegar

To help break down tough odors, make a paste using equal parts baking soda and water. Apply it to the most affected areas, like the underarms and neckline of the garment. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the fabric, then let the paste sit for 30 minutes before washing.

For vinegar pre-treatment, mix one cup of white vinegar with four cups of warm water in a basin or sink. Soak the clothing for at least 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly before transferring to the washer, ensuring all vinegar has been rinsed out.

5. Choose the right water temperature and cycle

For cottons and natural fibers, use warm or hot water to help break down sweat residue. For synthetics, stick to cold water to protect the fabric. Use a heavy-duty or deep clean cycle to encourage best results. Always check your care tags first.

6. Dry clothes completely

Let clothes dry fully, either in a dryer or in the sun. Lingering moisture can reactivate odors. Don’t store clothing until it’s completely dry.

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Why can clothes still smell after washing?

Odors can linger in clothes even after washing due to sweat and body oils that cause strong smells. These pungent odors may stick around if too little detergent is used, the washer is overloaded, clothes aren’t dried thoroughly, or if the washing machine itself needs cleaning.

In some cases, removing odor may require more than a standard wash. Certain items—especially those worn during heavy activity—may need to be washed more frequently or with targeted odor-fighting techniques.

How to get a lingering sweaty smell out of clothes

If clothes still smell sweaty after washing, try a deeper clean. You can try soaking the items in a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to four parts warm water for a few hours or overnight. Then, rinse thoroughly before rewashing. 

You can also try making a baking soda paste using equal parts baking soda and water, applying it to the smelly areas and letting it sit for 30 minutes or more, then rinsing and washing as usual. 

If the fabric allows, washing with warm or hot water can help break down odors and body oils. It may also be helpful to adjust your washer’s cycle length and soil level, avoid overloading the machine, use an odor-fighting detergent and ensure clothes are fully dry before storing.

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