How do I get the sour smell out of old gym clothes and towels that have been sitting in the hamper for a week?

Question

How do I get the sour smell out of old gym clothes and towels that have been sitting in the hamper for a week?

Answer 1

Double wash them. UK

Answer 2

Air dry clothes, outside is the best..then wash in smaller loads, but w/double amount of water ratio of clothes being washed...use baking soda + regular laundry soap and whatever else you in a load of laundry ie: clorox 2...oxy clean...etc. (at least 1 cup of baking soda to each load)..

If the clothes still smell after first washing (do not put in dryer)..

(IMPORTANT:  NEVER MIX BAKING SODA AND VINEGAR IN THE SAME LOAD!!!)

You can either air dry again outside...repeat wash, (but instead of baking soda) Rewash with vinegar. I prefer air drying outside 1st..seems to help take out the funky smell of the clothes...

Use 1 cup of vinegar, w/all regular laundry soap..etc. to each load..you may need to re-rinse each load to rid the smell of vinegar..but that should take out the smell...

Always let clothes air dry separately after removing...either gym clothes or other clothes..as when they are piled together...the smell from sweat or other smells from wearing them..need to air out before putting in a laundry basket/hamper...

I hope this helps..I know it can be a long process, but it's worth not having to replace the clothes..

Also if you happen to leave a load of clothes in the washer..as I have from time to time, and they sour...air dry (outside) is best way to air dry them, rather than hanging inside to air dry...wash as instructed above...Best of luck!

~peace~  

Answer 3

As your washing machine is filling add the detergent, and also add 1 cup of reg. baking soda to the wash water and SOAK the garments for an hour... Baking soda is terrific at getting rid of "funky" odors... Then launder the garments as usual... You might also want to get a stick on deodorizer for you hamper to keep any lingering smells from escaping the hamper.... Or put a box of baking soda where you store you dirty laundry... For example I have a linen closet where we keep our hamper so I have a box of baking soda in the closet.... Keeps things smelling fresh...

Good luck

Answer 4

Wash clothes in one cup of White Vinegar and let soak for about three hours, then wash as usual do not add any detergent during this method as it will interfere with the vinegar's effectiveness also do not add any fabric softeners or dryer sheets when using vinegar Good Luck !

Answer 5

Add 1/2 cup borax to the wash with your detergent. Then add 1 cup white vinegar to the final rinse cycle. Both borax and vinegar are great deodorizers. The vinegar smell dissipates as it dries.

Answer 6

I always have a vareity of essential oils around the house, such as lavender, tea tree, ylang ylang, peppermint ....  Launder in warm, or if the fabric can tolerate it, hot water.  Add a few drops of oil to the wash cycle after it has agitated with your regular detergent for about five minutes.  The oils will disburse in the lipids of the soap,  they are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, so your laundry will be freshened.