How to get sweat smell out of the armpit of a top
Short answer: Odour that stays after washing comes from traces of sweat and deodorant deep in the fibres. Soak the top and wash it without fabric softener, which otherwise locks the residue inside the fabric.
Why the smell stays
Detergent and fabric softener can lay a film over the residue that smells instead of removing it. The top smells clean when it comes out of the machine, but the odour returns as soon as you warm up. That shows the residue is still in the armpit and needs loosening another way.
Soak it
Soak the top in lukewarm water with a little detergent for a couple of hours, then wash it on its own at 40 degrees. Soaking gives the water time to get into the fibres and loosen residue that a normal wash misses. Turn it inside out so the armpit gets plenty of water.
Drop the fabric softener
Fabric softener is often the very reason the smell lingers. Wash without it at least three or four times and see whether the odour fades. It takes a while before the old layers are rinsed out. Read more about why it happens in smell in clothes that will not go away.
Wash sooner after wearing
Sweat that sits in the laundry basket for days sets in and becomes harder to wash out. Wash sweaty clothes within a couple of days, or hang them to dry before they go in the basket. A damp item at the bottom of the basket is where odour has the best chance to develop.
Dosage
Too much detergent does not rinse out and leaves residue that holds on to odour. Follow the dosage on the pack and use slightly too little rather than too much. Many people dose out of habit rather than by the amount of laundry. A half-full machine does not need the same amount as a full one.
An undershirt prevents it
A thin layer between skin and top absorbs sweat before it reaches the outer layer. The undershirt is then the piece washed often, while the shirt or jumper can be worn several times. Choose a model that sits close without feeling tight. See bamboo undershirt for men.
The material
A fabric that moves moisture away from the skin often stays fresher for longer, because sweat does not sit in it to the same degree. That does not mean the top never needs washing, but it can often be worn a little longer. Read more in why bamboo clothing smells less.
No hot wash
It is tempting to wash hot to get rid of the smell, but bamboo viscose does best at 40 degrees. A higher temperature wears the fibres and elastic and rarely solves the problem. Repeat soaking and washing without softener a few times instead, until the smell has gone.
Dry fast and airy
Clothes that dry slowly in a damp room can get a musty smell. Hang the top up right after washing somewhere with good airflow, ideally by an open window. Do not leave it in the machine for hours after the programme ends. A tumble dryer is not needed and wears the fabric.
When nothing works
If you have tried soaking and several washes without softener and the smell is still there, the fibres may be saturated with old residue. Then it may be time for a new top. Use the experience to care for the next one better, with less time in the basket and no softener.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my top smell even after washing?
Traces of sweat, deodorant and fabric softener can sit deep in the fibres. The smell returns when you warm up. Soak the top and wash it a few times without fabric softener.
Does washing at a higher temperature help?
Rarely. Bamboo viscose does best at 40 degrees, and higher temperatures wear the fibres. Soaking and washing without softener work more often, especially if you repeat it a few times.
How many washes does it take to remove the smell?
Expect three to four washes without fabric softener, ideally with a soak before the first. Old residue rinses out layer by layer, so it takes a little patience before the smell is fully gone.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
