Removing smell from shirt?

Question

A friend of mine gave me a shirt that doesnt fit her anymore. She originally bought it at Goodwill so it has been worn by at least two people before I got it. It fits me well and I like it. However, I've noticed that even after washing, there is a faint "not quite clean" (but not "bad" really) smell, especially around the underarm area. There are no stains on the shirt under the arms or anywhere else and the shirt actually still looks fairly new and in good shape. It's 100% cotton. I've been washing it with the rest of my clothes with my typical detergent and regular wash cycle (warm/cold). Is there something I can do to get it clean and make that smell go away?

Answer 1

The Vinigar soak, the oxy-clean and wash are all the correct thing to do together as someone has already answered but..also,After the wash, a day on the line  in good sunshine finishes the job nicely, and if it seem rough after the drying on the line.. air tumble for a couple of minutes to soften it back up!

Answer 2

try rubbing oxyclean on the smelly area then washing it with baking soda or oxyclean in the laundry

Answer 3

use some Lestoil on it

Answer 4

White vinegar should do the trick; it works for persistent doggie stains.  Also, add some Pine Sol in your last Rinse water;  the pine sol smell will go away, & it helps to conquer the smells.  They'll smell clean & fresh.

Answer 5

Soak in vinegar, wash as usual, perhaps with some OxyClean, and rinse with baking soda.