Getting the stink out

[mobygrape]

I have several polypro/coolmax type wicking t-shirts I regularly wear climbing and skiing, and some of them have developed an entirely unhealthy odor. I understand that synthetics don't clean up as well as natural fabrics like cotton or wool, but is there a certain type of soap that can be used to get these smelling "mountain fresh" again?

[thelawgoddess]

if they are old, you might consider ditching them. (for you and your partners' sakes!) they might smell good fresh out of the dryer, but the embedded nastiness will never really go away.

[Crack]

call a dive or surf shop. there is this stuff that they use to get the stench out of neoprene suits that they rent that jams.

[Dru]

the problem is that you can't wash/dry your symthetics hot enough to kill the bacteria or the fabric will melt. so you have to do something else to kill off the odor-causing bacteria.

 

try 1) soaking it with rubbing alcohol or Lysol

2) put it in a plastic bag so it doesn't stink up the freezer and freeze it for a week

3) after washing it, don't airdry it inside but line dry it in a sunny spot for a few days and see if the bright UV will help

4) microwave it and kill off the little bastard bacteria that way

5) if microwaves won't work, try an X ray machine, like at your dentist office.

6) go to hanford and nuke the fucker with some gamma rays!

[mobygrape]

Thanks crack! I'll check that out. Someone also recommended trying anti-bacterial soap.

 

More info on why dirty clothes stink

[thelawgoddess]

"Likewise the yellow armpits of white shirts: oxidized fat." well, at least now i know.

[mec]

oxidized, isn't that another word for RUST...

[catbirdseat]

Freezing would definitely not kill bacteria. Bleach would kill bacteria, but might damage the fabric. You'd have to study the label and decide. My guess is that the stink is not from bacteria on the fabric but rather they byproducts of bacteria that are on your skin. The oils turn rancid and horrible-smelling aldehydes are formed. Because the fabric is hydrophobic, it sucks up these compounds and holds onto them tenaciously.

[murraysovereign]

call a dive or surf shop. there is this stuff that they use to get the stench out of neoprene suits that they rent that jams.

 

"Mirazyme"

[Dru]

Freezing would definitely not kill bacteria.

 

sure works on rock shoes.

[chriss]

 

Use laundry soap to remove organic material; oils, food, grass stains, etc. (like shown in the commercials).

 

Then add vinegar (acetic acid) to the rinse cycle to remove minerals; sweat salts, dirt, etc.. Add it to the little cup for the rinse cycle like you would bleach.

 

Partners will thank you.

 

 

chris

[knotzen]

And then go buy yourself a pair of germ-fighting undies.

 

"...unisex trunks...made from artificial fibers for comfort, with silver particles woven into the material to prevent sweating."

[whidbey]

dive shops...sink the stink...shit works great