New tennis shorts and shirts stink!

[tdk]

Im a bit old school so Ive been using old cotton t-shirts and shorts when playing tennis. When I sweat the shirt gets all wet, feels sticky and is hard to pull off. Other guys have updated their stuff to shirts and shorts made of a new material thats supposed to not get wet and therefore be more comfortable.

So I whent out and bought me some. Did not want to spend a fortune so I picked discounted lower end stuff. Figured I would not loose much money this way if I was not happy. Turns out the t-shirts in particular feels a bit itchy to start with and as they get wet they dont stick but they soak sweat anyway. And the worst part of it all is that they smell really bad as they dry. An old cotton t-shirt could be dried and not smell at all. Same with the shorts. At the waist band. Is this a problem with more expensive shirts and shorts as well? Or is it a question of washing them in real hot water and only wearing them one time?

Any input much appreciated.

T

 

[mikeler]

You stink dude.

The discounted lower end stuff tends to stink up whereas the more expensive stuff does not in my experience.

 

[hcb0804]

All the poly stuff stinks regardless of brand or price
It has to be washed with special sports wash detergent that gets the odor out
Synthetic fabrics hold the stank

 

[tdk]

Thanks guys. This is what I was affraid of, even money stink . Its the information I was looking for. Better get some of that special detergent for poly. Probably can get it at any sports store right? Then wash and see what happens. If it continues to stink I just trash it and stick to sticky cotton .

 

[hcb0804]

The sports wash stuff works

 

[goran_ace]

I buy low end performance shirts for tennis ($12 or less - I would only pay a lot for golf shirts) and don't have a problem with them. Yes, the sport wash detergent works but that stuff can be pricey and unless you're doing a whole load of performance wear it seems like a waste to use it on a mixed load with your normal cotton tshirts.

An alternative solution is to give your shirts a soak in vinegar for a couple hours before you throw it in with your regular wash. Plain white vinegar, maybe about a cup or two in with a bucket of water. Also, don't use fabric softener in the wash and hang your performance shirts to dry, don't put them in the dryer.

 

[arche3]

Try oxyclean detergent additive. It works very well with poly shirts. I wash my hats in them ad well. If it gets stinky hats clean the shirts are no issue. It's just a powder you add to regulate laundry detergent.

 

[ArliHawk]

Penguin Sports wash is your friend here. Wash on delicate with this and line dry. No stink.

 

[Bartelby]

I haven't found any of the new polyesters to smell in the slightest and they wash easily.

 

[Sander001]

Yeah I think the lower end stuff needs to be washed once or twice before you play to get that smelly stuff off.

 

[JEDBERG]

I like Astko sport wash. If you figure how far is goes it is not really all that expensive. I have heard that it is the same stuff as Penguin at a much less cost.

http://www.amazon.com/SPORT-WASH-LA...a_nav_t_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=03ZN62HWEG8RNV19Z7Y4

 

[tdk]

Stinking update. My whife did not approve of the sport wash I brought home on Friday. She bragged about her much more skin friendly new wash so I had no say. However, it seemed the bad smell was not as bad as after the first time brand new. I guess it needs washing first thing out of the shop. Now shes gone a few days so I think I will try to see if I can wash myself with the new sport wash. Ill keep you posted.

 

[makinao]

For my polyester sports clothes I simply use bleach. About 100ml in the watching machine. I have old shirts which stink up quickly, so I soak them in water with bleach for a day before throwing them in the machine.

Polyester sports clothes are not created equal. Some are "itchy" and make you feel "warm" under the sun. Some are so thin that they stick to your body when you sweat. Some have dyes that react to my sweat and make me stink. I've bought enough over the years to know which is just right.

 

[tdk]

makinao - could you please share what works for you. And how much you have to pay.

About the bleach, does that not bleach your colored shirts and shorts?

 

[makinao]

My most recent stuff comes for 2013 Nadal and Federer collections. I got them at a local discount store (in the Philippines) for about US$25 a piece. The Nadal stuff is very soft and stretchable in a rubbery sort of way. The Federer T is also soft, but in a slightly more cottony soft of way. There are other textures. I usually avoid the silky ones because they feel warm and stick when you sweat. There are also "itchy" ones, which I 'm guessing are from spring collections. If you're looking in TW, check out the summer collections.

I took a big risk when I started doing it because labels always say "no bleach." I've never had a problem, but the bleaches in my country could be milder than in yours. Try it out on one piece first, and proceed with caution. Do not apply bleach directly to the fabric. Use the bleach spout/chute in the washing machine. For soaking, fill the basin with water, then pour the bleach on the water. Do this, however, at your own risk.

 

[goran_ace]

Bleach is not a good idea. It can leave yellowish stains on your synthetic fabrics and can weaken your fabrics/stitches. A non chlorine bleach alternative would be better, but test it out first. Seriously, trust me on the vinegar pre-soak. Gentler, cheaper, more effective.

 

[magnut]

i tried the dry fit stuff for a couple years and it wasnt for me. i am back to plain old thin cotton t shirts and just change my shirt when they get soaked. i have to do laundry anyways when i get home so its no big deal. Nothing feels better than a well worn fresh and dry Cotton t shirt when your on court.

yes it does stink, it also snags on everything. cotton much more comfortable and maintenance friendly.

 

[DanFuller]

Strange this. I find my cotton nike t's stink up much quicker than my dri fit. Under armour jesusssss those bad boys stink up like a big fat cab driver on a 100c day.

 

[magnut]

Strange this. I find my cotton nike t's stink up much quicker than my dri fit. Under armour jesusssss those bad boys stink up like a big fat cab driver on a 100c day.

put a cup of white vinegar in with your wash and is will get out all that funk. many times its the soap not washing out. i like those under armor shirts too but i usually just go to micheals when they are selling plain t shirts 5 for $10 and buy 20 or so. then i dont have to baby my clothing. heck i work on our cars in my tennis clothing. all that really matters is that what you wear on court is comfortable. just like shoes and racquets its all about feel. sometimes i actually prefer basketball shoes to actual tennis shoes. i could care less if federer or nadal endorse my wardrobe or gear as long as it works and feels good.

 

[DanFuller]

put a cup of white vinegar in with your wash and is will get out all that funk. many times its the soap not washing out. i like those under armor shirts too but i usually just go to micheals when they are selling plain t shirts 5 for $10 and buy 20 or so. then i dont have to baby my clothing. heck i work on our cars in my tennis clothing. all that really matters is that what you wear on court is comfortable. just like shoes and racquets its all about feel. sometimes i actually prefer basketball shoes to actual tennis shoes. i could care less if federer or nadal endorse my wardrobe or gear as long as it works and feels good.

Cheers for the advice. Yeah I love a t for practicing and a polo for matches.

 

[magnut]

if the vinegar alone doesnt work also put in a cup of baking soda and once the machine is filled with water let it sit for an hour. That should take care of it. I have never needed to take it further.

I did have some wrist bands that really stunk one time and soaked them in straight undiluted white vinegar before washing. It took all the odor out.

Vinegar kills a lot of stuff. its actually good for you to drink some once in a while.

 

[gusgrand]

Am I missing something here?

I have a bunch of dri-fit tennis clothing (which stinks when dried after sweating) and I use regular Percil Non Bio capsules on a regular 30-40 degree sports wash cycle and they come out just fine and still look brand new!

Just wash your tennis clothes as if they were a black cotton t-shirt that you want to keep black and you'll be fine....there is no science to this!

 

[Bartelby]

i think people probably have lousy washing machines.

Am I missing something here?

I have a bunch of dri-fit tennis clothing (which stinks when dried after sweating) and I use regular Percil Non Bio capsules on a regular 30-40 degree sports wash cycle and they come out just fine and still look brand new!

Just wash your tennis clothes as if they were a black cotton t-shirt that you want to keep black and you'll be fine....there is no science to this!

 

[DanFuller]

i think people probably have lousy washing machines.

I wash mine in the river over some rocks

 

[jaggy]

I am very smelly no matter what I wear.

 

[gusgrand]

If you have got crap washing machine then just wash on the quickest cycle on a wash no hotter than 40 degrees and you'll be fine.
Vinegar, bleach, hydrochloric acid, Chinese lineament, soy sauce, HP sauce, milk, cucumbers, battery acid, petrol......it's a tennis shirt not a Chrystel meth lab!

 

[bluetrain4]

Cotton tees and shorts are still readily available.

 

[Bartelby]

The trouble with cotton items is that they become heavy with perspiration in hot and humid weather, so even the slight odour from some poly in such weather is preferable.

 

[mctennis]

I have not found ANY of the newer synthetic material products to be worth buying. To me they make you feel like you are wearing a plastic bag around you. I sweat a lot more wearing this new "wicking material". I hate it all. So now I just use cotton polos and cotton shorts. It is also cheaper too. The newer material items are all over priced for what they do for me. Good luck finding any that work for you. Even the expensive stuff.

 

[Hollywood2]

Use a fabric softener with a nice scent. It actually works well it takes the itchiness out of the poly and it still smells good after a long sweat.

Use an antiperspirant & deodorant invisible solid like the Right Guard Total Defense 5, I find this works the best to prevent odours and bacteria for long periods.

 

[BuggyDub]

You shouldn't use fabric softener on athletic fabrics. It ruins the moisture wicking properties. I've found the cheaper stuff does get stinkier, but after I quit using fabric softener and started using a sports detergent that has improved. I just have enough athletic clothes to use until I have a full load of them.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

All the poly stuff stinks regardless of brand or price
It has to be washed with special sports wash detergent that gets the odor out
Synthetic fabrics hold the stank

I just use those Tide Pods, they work great. It's also worth mentioning that virtually all my clothes are Nike dri-fit.

 

[imajica77]

I just use those Tide Pods, they work great. It's also worth mentioning that virtually all my clothes are Nike dri-fit.

Tide even makes a sports soap. I use it on my sports clothes. They come out smelling nice.

Never use fabric softener on sports clothes.

 

[mawashi]

I buy low end performance shirts for tennis ($12 or less - I would only pay a lot for golf shirts) and don't have a problem with them. Yes, the sport wash detergent works but that stuff can be pricey and unless you're doing a whole load of performance wear it seems like a waste to use it on a mixed load with your normal cotton tshirts.

An alternative solution is to give your shirts a soak in vinegar for a couple hours before you throw it in with your regular wash. Plain white vinegar, maybe about a cup or two in with a bucket of water. Also, don't use fabric softener in the wash and hang your performance shirts to dry, don't put them in the dryer.

Try oxyclean detergent additive. It works very well with poly shirts. I wash my hats in them ad well. If it gets stinky hats clean the shirts are no issue. It's just a powder you add to regulate laundry detergent.

Penguin Sports wash is your friend here. Wash on delicate with this and line dry. No stink.

Damn and I always thought I stunk lol! Even my wrist bands which are made of cotton stink really bad.

Vinegar it is then for a start.

 

[magnut]

i wore all cotton today and sweated enough to go through four shirts, four pairs of socks etc etc. just pulled them out of the dryer. they are clean, fresh, and soft...no stink.