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How to Remove Armpit Odor from Shirts

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Last Updated on September 4, 2019 by Diane Hoffmaster

If you sweat as much as I do while you exercise, you may be wondering how to remove armpit odor from your workout tops. I have been working out like a fiend for the last year and my workout shirts are starting to smell less than fresh.  The other day I walked into the laundry room while the freshly washed laundry was tumbling in the dryer.  You know what I smelled?  Armpit odor!  YES, how gross is that?  The workout clothes I had just put through the washing machine still had enough armpit odor in them for the heat of the dryer to bring out into the air.

Armpit Odor deodorizing laundry spray

How do you get sweat smells out of clothes?

I have been struggling to get the armpit odors out of our laundry for a while and have tried a few store-bought products with no luck.  I decided to see what I could create with the items in my pantry!  This DIY armpit odor removal spray contains several of the recommended solutions for odor removal in one easy to use spray.  

More Exercise Posts to Read

Removing odors from clothes can be a challenge. You may have to soak your clothes for a few hours before using this odor removing spray. White vinegar can help to neutralize and remove perspiration odor from clothes.  Add one cup of white vinegar to a tub full of warm water.  Then,  soak your workout clothes for two or three hours before you trying using this odor neutralizing spay on your clothes. 

white vinegar

Will vinegar fade clothes?

One of the main ingredients in this spray to remove armpit odor is vinegar.  But, will vinegar fade clothes?  Is it harsh on fabric?  I have not found any negatives of using vinegar to remove odor in workout clothes.  The acetic acid in vinegar can help remove stains  and odors from your laundry, however, for delicate clothing you may want to do a spot test first.  While vinegar is safe for many fabrics, if the colors change where you applied vinegar for your spot test, immediately rinse the stain with water and apply ammonia.

How to Remove Armpit Odor from Shirts

 

DIY Armpit Odor  Removal Spray

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • several drops Tea Tree Oil (antibacterial)
  • Your essential oil of choice (optional)
  • Spray bottle

 

Directions:

Please note that you will need a LARGE bowl for this project!  When you mix vinegar and baking soda you will get a gigantic volcano of bubbles.  Be prepared!

  1. In a large bowl, mix water and vinegar
  2. Carefully add the baking soda.  Stir until dissolved.
  3. Add tea tree oil and essential oil (just a few drops of each)
  4. Mix and pour or spray the solution onto the armpits of your clothes.  Let sit 15 minutes or so.
  5. Wash laundry as usual

 

Knowing how to remove armpit odor from shirts can be a real help when you are trying to keep your clothing budget under control.  Workout clothes aren’t cheap and having to replace your sports bras and yoga tops a few times a year because they smell can get very expensive.  Use this spray regularly to kill odor-causing bacteria that don’t get killed in your washing machine!

 

Are you struggling to remove armpit odor in your workout clothes?

 

Like this armpit odor solution?  Check out my DIY dryer sheets!

DIY natural dryer sheets


3 thoughts on “How to Remove Armpit Odor from Shirts”

  1. Along with the above ingredients I also sometimes will make a loose sludgy paste of Dial gold liquid antibacterial soap and baking soda and add to the armpit area of the garment . I have found that it is sometimes the fabric combined with deodorant plus perspiration that makes the smell . Hang garment outside to air dry .

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