How to get the smell of BO out of clothes

If I ever had the problem I have used bi-carb in the past and it worked well.
Get him to invest in Mitchum 48hr either roll on or spray and to use it during the day (maybe lunch-time) both my boys use it and they both have busy lifestyles.

Does he have lots of underarm hair which might trap BO smells, even though pits showered might need trimming

I am sure he is as clean as you say, but surely a young man should be having a daily shower - deodorants are all very well but only do what they say.
I am assuming a change of clothes every day as a given as well , and maybe more cotton and fewer artificial fibres too?

I use white vinegar in both compartments of the washing machine no fabric conditioner. Then put either the liquidwash or powder directly into the drum first before loading the washing. The vinegar acts as a deodoriser and brightens the wash and leaves no smell of the vinegar once dry. I think as he only showers every other day that is part of the problem allowing a build up. You could try putting some diluted vinegar directly onto the armpits of the clothing as well before putting into the machine.

This thread is divisive .....I’m in the every morning ablution/clean clothes/evening refresher gang. Is there anything nicer smelling than a baby straight from a bath? Same applies to bigger humans also!

Wish I knew. Very sweaty disabled son. I have tried various prewash treatments, things in with the the wash, different detergents, different temperatures....oh and the smell transferring to other items in the machine so they get their own load.

He wears natural fibres, is properly washed daily (because I have to help), wears deodorant and fresh clothes each day.

Sometimes it takes two washes with bio powder (better than liquid, imho), and its still "fragrant"

Graygirl. I use white vinegar in the rinsing cycle for my towels. They come out very soft and fresh.

It's not a solution to your question HurdyGurdy -sorry! but you just reminded me of one of my "top grouses"! I used to sing - well hope to sing still, health depending! I sang next to the same friend for several concerts. She then became very "natural" or "organic" or "healthy" or something and decided that deodorant was the bane of modern life and deliberately created to make women spend money, get cancer, smell unnatural etc.
Ok her right... But have you ever spent three months learning music so simply wonderful, say, Bach's B minor Mass, going to choir once a week for two hours. Two hours of taking deep breaths to sing. Next to the pongiest woman in town? Then you get to concert day and have the afternoon rehearsal with the orchestra in the Concert Hall under the lights, taking deep breaths to sing, feeling sick, next to the pongiest woman in town? Then the evening comes and you are on the Concert Hall stage for this most wonderful and moving musical masterpiece. How wonderful it would be to simply let yourself go with this inspirational music. How wonderful it would be if only you could breathe. For here you are, for two hours (including interval) taking in deep breaths to sing, and passing out because you are next to the pongiest woman in town!

I think not using deodorant is utterly, entirely, completely, wholly selfish! It ruined so many superb pieces of music for me. Her smell was widespread. You couldn't move to get away from it. It filled the room.

As did the smell of a man who later became HM of a famous school. He was once the Office Manager in another place. When he first arrived there in his nylon shirts, he did not know about deodorants. The other people who worked in the office threatened to leave..... It was so bad that pupils coming into the room, a big, huge room, used to say "Crumbs what's that awful smell?"

Cheers HurdyGurdy! That was so therapeutic!

I think it’s not necessarily b.o. or lack of soap and water. I think it’s the Male pheromones that we sometimes mistake for b.o.

Soak in bicarb or napisan or dettol machine wash . Then dab the underarm areas in vanish and wash on 40 degrees or above hang out to dry if possible ?

I also buy dettol anti bacterial soap for my 5 sweat teenagers and they have a flannel each . I think with showers the norm people just use hands to wash and food old flannel scrub does wonders for pits ?

Hi HurdyGurdy. I'll try and be a bit more helpful now! It sounds as if your DS has a normal kind of b.o. smell, so this might be no use but I just remembered that there are medical conditions that can contribute to stronger body odour or changes in body odour. It sounds as if the smell is the normal sort, so that discounts trimethylaminuria (fish odour syndrome) but if he does have a marked stronger b.o. problem it may be worth seeing his Doctor. There are some deodorants too that are more effective than the high street shop ones. Amazon have lots.

Has anyone mentioned using bicarbonate of soda in the wash? I put it in the washing machine every so often in the fond imagining that it does something really good but I've forgotten what at the moment!

On a similar theme, I have three navy cotton T shirts, all with grease marks on the front which will not wash out. Does anyone know how to get rid of these marks?

I wash clothes on 40 then spray the area generously with ferbreeze (spelling?!) then wash again - it seemed to work for my son’s shirts. I did make sure they got thoroughly baked dry on a line outside. He does shower every day and uses deodorant. With some it’s nothing to do with poor hygiene- it just ‘is’

I'd go for the bicarb, it really is good at getting stains and smells out, also use the pink Vanish spray, the Oxy one. A deodorant will only mask the smell of perspiration , he needs to be using a really good antiperspirant

He might want to see his doctor about it if it persists in winter as well as summer weather.

There is a difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. He may be better to use the latter. Also use a dry stick. The roll on will cause a problem with clothes if the underarms are not perfectly dry before dressing. So the dry stick is more effective. Natural fibres are easier to clean thoroughly. Are his others tops and jackets washed regularly too? There are special antiperspirants that the pharmacist can recommend.

There is Wilko Activewear Laundry Liquid - which works at low temps and removes sweat & odours. It is formulated for sportswear and outdoor clothing. Costs £2.50 for 1.5l (current price).

Vinegar does help.
Cheap and effective.

The body perspires for a very good reason, temperature regulation. Blocking perspiration is not a good idea. Showering and changing clothes every day is a good idea as is crystal deodorant, chemical masking is bad. Ask those who have discovered lumps in that area female or male. I second sport wash for very sweaty clothes