Underwear Has Slight Poop Smell After Several Washings and What to Do
Short answer: When your underwear has slight poop smell after several washings, the cause is usually residue or bacteria that the wash did not remove, and it can be fixed. Wash at the temperature the label allows, use less detergent, rinse well and dry fully.
Why the smell keeps coming back
Smell often sits in residue of sweat, skin and detergent that has settled in the fabric and the seams. When the underwear gets warm and damp again, the smell wakes up. It does not mean the underwear is bad, only that the wash did not reach everything. It is not unusual and can mostly be fixed with simple changes.
When your underwear has slight poop smell after several washings
If the smell returns after several washes, look at the whole routine and not just one step. Look through bamboo underpants for men and choose a pair you can wash properly. Wash new pairs separately the first few times, so colour and residue do not cross over.
Too much detergent leaves residue
More detergent does not give cleaner clothes. An overdose can leave a layer in the fibres that holds smell and makes the fabric feel stiff. Measure by the pack and by how dirty the clothes are. If your water is soft, use even less.
Temperature and programme
Wash by the label in the underwear and choose a programme that suits the fabric. A normal programme often cleans better than an ultra-short one. Viscose does not tolerate strong heat, so follow the instruction and choose the highest temperature the label allows.
Rinse one more time
An extra rinse removes residue of detergent and dissolved dirt. Choose an extra rinse programme if your machine has one, and do not leave the laundry lying wet in the drum. If the smell still hangs on, wash again without detergent and rinse well.
Dry the underwear completely
Moisture is what brings the smell back. Let the underwear dry completely on a rack before it goes into the drawer, and do not store it damp. Think of your all bamboo socks for men too, which are often washed in the same drum and can have the same problem.
Fabric softener does not always help
Fabric softener can leave a film on the fibres that holds smell and makes the fabric less airy. Leave it out for a few washes and see whether you notice a difference. Fill the drum only half, so water and detergent reach every seam.
When to talk to your doctor
If the smell comes with itching, rash, pain or other discomfort, talk to your doctor, because it may be something clothes cannot decide. If it is only the smell, a better wash routine can often solve it. When it works, you can add bamboo T-shirts for men to the same wash.
Frequently asked questions
Why does underwear smell after washing?
Residue of sweat and detergent can stay in the fabric and the seams. Use less detergent, rinse well and dry the underwear completely before you put it away.
Should I wash hotter?
Always follow the label in the underwear. Viscose does not tolerate strong heat, so choose the highest temperature the label allows and rinse well instead of raising the heat.
When should I see a doctor?
If the smell comes with itching, rash, pain or other discomfort, or if it does not go away despite a better wash routine, talk to your doctor.
