Hi, found this thread during research as I began to notice perspiration odors were not coming out of high-tech sports clothing - a typical problem as those fabrics have a long-standing reputation for retaining sweat odors. Some of the clothing was given to me, perhaps because the original owner couldn't deal with the problem, so I inherited the smell. But two shirts have been mine since new and I guess I let them get sweaty recently. So thanks to OP for bringing up the topic and for all the helpful answers. I've long been a fan of natural fibers, but being an active outdoor hiker and backpacker, have finally started using the polyester etc. high tech clothing. Many may not realize that for extreme winter snow sports, we avoid cotton, even as undies. It is called "death cloth" because it absorbs moisture and then loses its insulation value and can even freeze. Thus the move to fabrics that wick moisture away from the body and do not retain it. (And those are just the ones that get stinky.) I used a baking soda mash on the pits, then washed all the shirts normally. That did not work. So next I put them in the front-load washer in hot water with about a third of a cup of Oxiclean dissolved in it - a strong solution - and let them sit overnight before washing. Now no pit odor. Could've been just the Oxiclean that was successful or perhaps the action of the combo. Meanwhile I realize that prevention is the best idea so am rethinking my antiperspirant/deodorant, which for years has been unscented Mitchum roll-on. For some reason it is not quite as effective as it used to be, so I will acquire both Certain Dri and the Secret Clinical Strength to alternate with the Mitchum. I realize that I need to be careful to use both an antiperspirant AND a deodorant since I can't shower daily during the winter due to extremely dry skin. (Itching prevents sleep even after the application of lotion, usually Walmart's version of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion!) Again, thanks.

I use Borax and vinegar. And yes Amonia and Bleach are deadly, we lost a classmate about 1 month before our 20 yr reunion..she was cleaning her bathroom...and didn't get one of the products rinsed well before using the other.. was feeling bad..went out of the bathroom..called her mom to tell her she suddenly wasn't feeling well...removing herself from the bathroom helped..she began to feel fine..went back in to finish..never putting it together..by the time her mom came over to check on her..she was gone...in like 30 minutes!!

When the washer stops, do you immediately remove them and put them in the dryer? If they tend to sit in the washer for awhile this is probably the issue. I know what you mean because my towels stink too when I go to use them. The only thing I can contribute it to is that I used to let them sit in the washer for some time before moving them into the dryer. Once they get that smell, it's hard to get rid of it. I bought new towel b/c mine were old anyway. Now, I put them in the dryer right away for a LONG drying cycle. Also, make sure the towels are dry 100% when you take them out of the dryer. If they sit in there and they are a little bit damp, that will cause the smell too.

Kbram I suffered from this for years and then I switched from using a standard antiperspirant which basically is designed to cake your pores shut. And those same chemicals mix with the sweat and dead cells and bacterial residues to make those stains on the underarms. Our bodies are designed to sweat, and pure sweat has no smell but it creates a haven for bacteria and other little creatures to breed and its their waste products which make up body odor. Plain sweat also does not stain. I switched to using a hypersaline deodorant, this basically allows you to sweat but because it is so salty it kills all the bacteria off so you don't have any noticeable odor. It works. I have put a link to the one I currently use called the Crystal but there are many brands. I like the roll-on although the stick one is more effective. It just gets a bit abrasive after a while. My wife couldn't believe the results and although no conclusive studies have shown harmful effects from aluminum based anti-perspirants I will say I feel better too for what that's worth. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: The Crystal deodorant