Getting the BO out of my Tennis Clothes

[Cindysphinx]

I have a lot of tennis clothing in various man-made fabrics. It is not cheap stuff; most of it is stretchy and so has spandex or some such.

To help it last, I machine wash (front loader) in warm water and line dry. I use All detergent without bleach alternative, on account of how it is cheap and available at Costco.

My tennis clothing is starting to reek (or so says my husband who has the nose of a bloodhound). I don't know what is causing this.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a detergent that will help me out? Should I be putting the stuff in the drier to cook the bacteria (and cook the spandex)?

 

[Topaz]

Hmmm, I wash all my stuff in cold water, and if I feel the need to pre-treat, I use oxy-clean. I haven't noticed any reeking...hopefully neither have my opponents or partners!

 

[TheShaun]

this problem is very common with tech fibers. especially older "first generation" stuff. i also think this has to do with our own body composition, because i don't suffer from this as much as i used to. but you're in luck....
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageWIN-WINDT.html
i haven't used it before but it's got to be worth a shot. i think it may be available in your regular store as well. good luck with your stinky's...

 

[Midlife crisis]

Put about a cup of regular white vinegar (also available in gallon jugs at Costco) in with your wash. I usually just pour it in on top of the laundry right before starting the cycle.

A lot of front loading washers have mold problems if the washer door is closed and left closed immediately after a wash cycle. This can cause all sorts of problems down the road, including your clothing smelly moldy or musty. Most front loading washers do a lot better if you leave the door open for several hours to let it dry out. This is most important for the rubber seal, as that seems to be the biggest problem area.

 

[luckyskulls]

I use a little good smelling fabric softener. I like a lavender scented one, which is "supposed" to be calming. (Something I need in matches!!)

 

[Cruzer]

Just buy new clothes if the reek is becoming too overwhelming. Your husband will likely decide that your current tennis clothes don't reek at all.

 

[mrw]

Vinegar works as does Fabrieze

 

[Geezer Guy]

I've been told my tennis stinks, but not my tennis clothes.

 

[Sup2Dresq]

Hmmm, I wash all my stuff in cold water, and if I feel the need to pre-treat, I use oxy-clean. I haven't noticed any reeking...hopefully neither have my opponents or partners!

Maybe they have!?

 

[Topaz]

Maybe they have!?

Hey!!! *narrowing eyes* I'm trying really hard to think of a witty comeback right now, but I'm stuck!

 

[LafayetteHitter]

I find adding some Borax to my wash load really helps with the tennis gear.

 

[Raiden.Kaminari]

I find adding some Borax to my wash load really helps with the tennis gear.

**shudders**

 

[Raiden.Kaminari]

Put about a cup of regular white vinegar (also available in gallon jugs at Costco) in with your wash. I usually just pour it in on top of the laundry right before starting the cycle.

A lot of front loading washers have mold problems if the washer door is closed and left closed immediately after a wash cycle. This can cause all sorts of problems down the road, including your clothing smelly moldy or musty. Most front loading washers do a lot better if you leave the door open for several hours to let it dry out. This is most important for the rubber seal, as that seems to be the biggest problem area.

Nice advise there. I'm going to have to try it myself since I have a front loader

What I do personally is to add a presoak cycle. I always wash the man made fabrics in cold water, on delicate setting.

By the way, anyone have an idea of getting rid of the yellow stain caused by anti-perspirants?

 

[Topaz]

By the way, anyone have an idea of getting rid of the yellow stain caused by anti-perspirants?

I pre-treat those areas with Oxy-Clean laundry stain remover, let the clothes sit for a bit, then wash in cold water. Seems to do the trick for me.

 

[J011yroger]

Nice advise there. I'm going to have to try it myself since I have a front loader

What I do personally is to add a presoak cycle. I always wash the man made fabrics in cold water, on delicate setting.

By the way, anyone have an idea of getting rid of the yellow stain caused by anti-perspirants?

Wear black like me, and it wont be an issue!

J

 

[J011yroger]

Oh and on topic, I ordered a bottle of that WIN stuff, will post a full review. Might not be too helpful tho since my stuff comes out of the wash smelling fine. (Stark contrast to going in)

J

 

[Cindysphinx]

OK, I bought some Tide (man, that stuff is expensive; won't be using it for anything other than tennis/running clothes), and I will try the vinegar thing first since that is cheap.

If the vinegar ruins my black and purple skirt with the metal studs running up the sides, I will come back here and cry my eyes out.

 

[lostinamerica]

My advice is to never use the cheap detergent and add some Downey.

 

[tennisee]

What a timely thread Cindy. I just pulled a tennis shirt (100% cotton) out of the machine - front loader - and it still stank! I wore it yesterday arvo and it could not have smelled as bad then, or no-one would have let me get within 20 metres of them. In my defence it was 35C yesterday, first day of comp. This is my new expensive European washing machine on a 1 hr cycle too. I'm currently soaking that shirt and this morning's shirt in Napisan. That kills the smell, but despite its claims does not get the underarms from yellow to white. Next stop - bleach? Tennis is so complicated.

 

[Cindysphinx]

My advice is to never use the cheap detergent and add some Downey.

When you're doing laundry for five, you can broke buying Tide.

I go for All brand. Even Whisk is too rich for my budget.

 

[sureshs]

CO will eliminate the BO problem.

(CO = clothing optional)

 

[Leelord337]

OK, I bought some Tide (man, that stuff is expensive; won't be using it for anything other than tennis/running clothes), and I will try the vinegar thing first since that is cheap.

If the vinegar ruins my black and purple skirt with the metal studs running up the sides, I will come back here and cry my eyes out.

that outfit sounds hot, post a pic of yourself wearing it

 

[Leelord337]

there is this detergent specifically designed for sports clothes but its expensive. saw a commercial for it on the tennis channel (btw if you ever catch that commercial it is freaking hilarious, like an SNL skit)

http://www.amazon.com/Performance-Detergent-Oxygenated-Formula-21-Ounce/dp/B000FU0Z4G

 

[Topaz]

If the vinegar ruins my black and purple skirt with the metal studs running up the sides, I will come back here and cry my eyes out.

Is it sad that I know *exactly* what skirt you are talking about? *laughing*

 

[Cindysphinx]

Is it sad that I know *exactly* what skirt you are talking about? *laughing*

Yep, it was a close-out here at TW. It is nothing short of a miracle that the last one left in North America happened to be in my size.

 

[Mr. Blond]

I have the same issue with shirts....but I am a heavy sweater. I just use cheap muscle t's and throw them out when they get bad. I would like some of the pricier dri fit stuff, but the idea of what it will smell like after a time is scary.

I have a lot of tennis clothing in various man-made fabrics. It is not cheap stuff; most of it is stretchy and so has spandex or some such.

To help it last, I machine wash (front loader) in warm water and line dry. I use All detergent without bleach alternative, on account of how it is cheap and available at Costco.

My tennis clothing is starting to reek (or so says my husband who has the nose of a bloodhound). I don't know what is causing this.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a detergent that will help me out? Should I be putting the stuff in the drier to cook the bacteria (and cook the spandex)?

 

[Sakkijarvi]

I use a 'witches brew' combination: a big pour of Spray and Wash (from the sprayer refill bottle -- I just pour it on the entire load) + Tide Bleach alternative + liquid Downy. The end result is fresh smelling clothes with zero gymrat scent...

 

[cknobman]

I have a lot of tennis clothing in various man-made fabrics. It is not cheap stuff; most of it is stretchy and so has spandex or some such.

To help it last, I machine wash (front loader) in warm water and line dry. I use All detergent without bleach alternative, on account of how it is cheap and available at Costco.

My tennis clothing is starting to reek (or so says my husband who has the nose of a bloodhound). I don't know what is causing this.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a detergent that will help me out? Should I be putting the stuff in the drier to cook the bacteria (and cook the spandex)?

Here a just a few things you can do to keep the BO off your tennis clothes. Personally I have never had a problem nor have I ever known anyone who has a had a problems with this.

• Daily bathing - not taking baths leads to terrible BO on all parts of your body
• Wearing deodorant - this is a biggie
• Watch your diet - lot of garlic, onions, and spices makes your body produce more odor. Eat less of it and your BO levels will go down.
• Towel off your sweat - during tenns matches bring one or more towles and use them to get the sweat off of you. Try and keep as much sweat off your clothes as you can (easier said than done though).

 

[Serve em Up]

I have a Nike Dry Fit cap that comes out of the wash smelling OK but wear it 5 minutes and it starts stinking up again. I've soaked it, washed it multiple times I'm about ready to toss it! I tried that special detergent Win. It didn't work. My other Dri fit type shirts and hats all come out OK. It's just this one stinkin hat!

 

[Sup2Dresq]

I have a Nike Dry Fit cap that comes out of the wash smelling OK but wear it 5 minutes and it starts stinking up again. I've soaked it, washed it multiple times I'm about ready to toss it! I tried that special detergent Win. It didn't work. My other Dri fit type shirts and hats all come out OK. It's just this one stinkin hat!

Does it have a burnt smell to it? I've had several nike outfits that had such a smell new. I kept one, needing it badly, and tried to wash it out. Can't get it out. Just curious.

 

[Ronaldo]

If possible, use warm or hot water, Arm & Hammer powdered laundry detergent, and pre-soak the clothes overnite. Tough to thoroughly clean poly clothes when the fabric so easily repels liquids. Like, thats the beauty of the clothing, eh. Oh, shower before playing tennis may improve this situation.

 

[Sakkijarvi]

Back when I was a teen we'd play all day shirtless, in jean shorts. Marathon matches over at Lewisboro Town Park...rode over there on a dirt bike.

Guess we weren't too worried about BO!

 

[LafayetteHitter]

Back when I was a teen we'd play all day shirtless, in jean shorts. Marathon matches over at Lewisboro Town Park...rode over there on a dirt bike.

Guess we weren't too worried about BO!

I wish some of the girls at my club would do that.

 

[Cindysphinx]

OK, I tried Tide, warm water and a fabric softener.

My tennis clothes now smell like I just came out of a French brothel.

I'm not sure this is the direction I want. Back to vinegar, I think . . .

 

[TheShaun]

My tennis clothes now smell like I just came out of a French brothel.

ahhhh, a familiar scent. those were the days

 

[Ronaldo]

OK, I tried Tide, warm water and a fabric softener.

My tennis clothes now smell like I just came out of a French brothel.

I'm not sure this is the direction I want. Back to vinegar, I think . . .

Like, that's a bad thing? Btw, not sure if fabric softener is recommended.

 

[Raiden.Kaminari]

Oh and on topic, I ordered a bottle of that WIN stuff, will post a full review. Might not be too helpful tho since my stuff comes out of the wash smelling fine. (Stark contrast to going in)

J

So have you received it yet? I was thinking of ordering it as well to test it out

 

[J011yroger]

So have you received it yet? I was thinking of ordering it as well to test it out

Order supposed to arrive friday.

J

 

[Leelord337]

There's this detergent made for dri fit type clothes called WIN by clorox. there is this detergent specifically designed for sports clothes but its expensive. saw a commercial for it on the tennis channel (btw if you ever catch that commercial it is freaking hilarious, like an SNL skit) Pleez cindysphinx post a pic of u wearing your purple tennis outfit u described.

http://www.amazon.com/Performance-De.../dp/B000FU0Z4G

 

[lilxjohnyy]

i need to get odor out of my shoes !!

 

[Cindysphinx]

OK, you dudes are cracking me up!

Sorry, but I don't have a digital camera to take a picture. You will have to use your imagination.

Think "Middle-Aged Housewife in purple top and black and purple studded skirt, black bandana, sweating profusely."

 

[Ronaldo]

i need to get odor out of my shoes !!

Just take them off your feet

 

[ChipNCharge]

Think "Middle-Aged Housewife in purple top and black and purple studded skirt, black bandana, sweating profusely."

You dress like Prince. You should start referring to yourself as "the tennis player formally known as Cindy". And your name/symbol could be a picture of a tennis racquet.

 

[Cindysphinx]

Ha!

I was thinking of having us adopt the name "Purple Reign." Then I saw another team had it.

And I figured I'd just be dating myself anyway.

 

[desilvam]

My tennis clothing is starting to reek (or so says my husband who has the nose of a bloodhound).

I know of a few tennis fanatics who would lose the 'complaining' spouse and keep the reeking tennis clothing

 

[10sfreak]

Cindy, have you tried putting about a cup of white vinegar in your wash? I've read/heard that helps a lot. Of course, you'll have to wash them again in order to get the smell of vinegar out...
If you do try it, please let us know how it works...

 

[Jack the Hack]

Cindy, have you tried putting about a cup of white vinegar in your wash? I've read/heard that helps a lot. Of course, you'll have to wash them again in order to get the smell of vinegar out...
If you do try it, please let us know how it works...

I've done the vinegar thing. Your clothes don't smell like vinegar when it's done... it has a kind of sweet smell (like fruit).

 

[OrangeOne]

There was another thread about washing machines (I think) where some people posted things about why our clothes end up stinking over time, and why front-loaders can be worse for this, and what to do about the front loaders and the clothes. Some of the people posting were 'industry' on the washing machine front.

I'll see if I can find it.

stinky tennis clothes.. FRONT LOADING WASHER????

Above thread contains links to this:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2057785_control-mold-front-loading-washer.html

And this post from someone in the industry:

I used to sell biocides which are used as anti-bacterial agents incorporated into certain brands and types of clothing (eg. anti-bac socks, underwear, shirts etc).

Basically we have bacteria living naturally on our skin and this also transfers off onto the clothing that we wear. Washing doesn't wash off 100% of the bacteria, and over time, you'll find that the bacterial level in the clothes build up. The bad smells (sour smell/sewerage smell etc) you get are from the gases that the bacteria emit when they feed on food sources such as skin flakes and perspiration.

The only solution is to soak the clothes in a diluted bleach bath for about 30 mins before washing every few months to eliminate as many of the bateria colonies as possible. But be careful as bleach will remove dyes from non-colorfast material such as cotton. Synthetics are quite okay (only exception is the cotton threads used to sew on the logos).

If you have cotton/dyed clothes, then soak them in a phenolic disinfectant such as Dettol. It will not remove all the bacteria, but will at least guarantee that you won't stink as much.

Frontload washers have a inherent problem with mold buildup leading to this problem. It is well documented and class action lawsuits against the manufacturers have been the result. Part of the problem though is with the education of owners. Frontload machines must remain open while not in use. Also a monthly tub wash cycle of bleach and/or vinegar is recommended. Use of a brush/rag to wipe the gasket clean will also help curb mold growth. I sell all of these machines. The two worst are the Maytag Neptune and the Whirlpool Duet/Kenmore HE3 though there have been problems with other machines also.

You are not alone with your problem. Maytag was sued by thousands of people for this very reason.

Contrary to the above statement and regardles of what Uni-lever says "today's" machines are quite capable of handling the rigors of sport related odor. I personally own the Bosch 500 series FL washer and dryer and have not experienced any such problems with the new HE detergents and/or the latest technology in washing products. I have though educated my wife on the proper maintence of her $2000 laundry set.

The only machine to be proven to completely combat mold growth is the Samsung "Silver Care" models which utilize silver ions to destroy 99.99 of all odor causing bacteria.

(That thread also contains some silly posts by yours truly, now I know why I remembered it!)

 

[Cindysphinx]

I have the Kenmore, and I don't have problems with mold. I leave the door open, and I try not to let loads sit in there for a long time. I wipe the seal annually.

I doubt the machine is the problem. My regular clothes and towels and suchlike smell fine. It's just this tennis stuff, which is funky even if I handwash it.

Once you have a front-loader, you'll never go back!

 

[OrangeOne]

I have the Kenmore, and I don't have problems with mold. I leave the door open, and I try not to let loads sit in there for a long time. I wipe the seal annually.

I doubt the machine is the problem. My regular clothes and towels and suchlike smell fine. It's just this tennis stuff, which is funky even if I handwash it.

Once you have a front-loader, you'll never go back!

Yup, i've had one for years now, and I agree. Given you don't think the washer is the problem, I take it you read jonolau's post that I quoted above? seemed to be fairly solid....