How to Remove Sweat Smell From Clothes and Fabrics

• January 6, 2026

If you are trying to figure out how to get sweat smell out of clothes, here is the first thing I want you to know. Sweat itself tends to be close to odorless. The smell shows up when skin bacteria break down what is in sweat and skin oils, and when those residues stick inside fabric.

That is also why the same wash routine can work fine for cotton, then fail completely for activewear. Fabric type can change which microbes grow, how odors develop, and how strongly odor compounds hang on.

I am going to give you two wins. A fast fix you can do today (so your gym tee does not smell “fine in the washer, bad on your body”). And a deep reset that removes the built-up residue behind “clothes smell like sweat after washing,” without relying on heavy fragrance.

Why Sweat Smell Sticks (and Why it Gets Worse Over Time)

Most articles stop at “use vinegar” or “add baking soda.” That advice misses what is actually happening inside the fabric.

1) The fabric factor is real (cotton vs activewear)

Studies that incubated worn clothing found the fiber type matters. Polyester and cotton can support different microbial communities, and that shift changes the odor profile you end up smelling.

2) The “permastink” problem is not just in your head

Polyester can accumulate odor-causing compounds and hold on to them even after regular washing. That is why you can “think” the shirt is clean, then it smells the moment it warms up again.

Here is my quick, practical diagnosis. After washing and drying, press the underarm area between your hands for 10 seconds (or gently warm it with a hair dryer on low from a distance). If the odor blooms as it warms, you do not have a sweat problem. You have a residue-in-fiber problem.

3) Residue traps odor (and under-dosing is the quiet culprit)

Sweat, sebum, and bacterial byproducts can adsorb onto textiles during wear and become “malodor precursors.”

If the detergent dose is too light for a heavy, sweaty load, you can leave that oily layer behind, especially in the underarms and inner waistband. Under-dosing plant-based detergent can leave body oils and sweat in fabric, which keeps the smell hanging around.

So, if the smell returns as soon as your shirt warms up on your body, it is almost always residue still inside the fabric.

Read Also: How To Build an Eco Home Cleaning Routine

Sweaty Smell vs Musty Smell (quick diagnosis)

Before you treat anything, I always diagnose the smell. The fix changes based on what you are actually dealing with.

• Sweat/body odor: strongest in armpits (or sports bra/gym tee areas), often “reactivates” with warmth.
• Musty/mildew: whole item smells damp, usually after sitting wet or slow drying.
• Deodorant buildup: waxy or stiff underarms, sometimes looks slightly greyed or “coated.”

Before You Start to Remove Sweat Smell from Clothes

• Check the care label first. Activewear often includes elastane, and some items do not like hot water or aggressive additives.
• Spot-test any soak on darks. I pick an inside seam or hem, soak for 5 minutes, rinse, then check for color shift.
• Safety note: Do not mix oxygen bleach with vinegar. Oxygen bleach products are typically peroxide-based (sodium percarbonate releases hydrogen peroxide in water). And white vinegar plus hydrogen peroxide in the same mixture can form peracetic acid, which safety guides flag as corrosive.

If you want to use both in your overall routine, keep them separate steps with a rinse in between.

How to Remove Sweat Smell from Gym Clothes (5-step eco method)

When someone asks me how to remove sweat smell from smelly clothes, I tell them that I aim for “odor gone,” not “odor covered.” That means attack the two things that cause the problem:

1. residue inside the fabric (sweat + body oils + deodorant film)
2. time + moisture (the combo that lets odor rebuild)

Here is the method I recommend when you want reliable results without harsh fumes or heavy perfume.

Air out or quick-rinse → oxygen pre-soak → correct detergent dose → warm wash if label allows → skip softener → dry fully and fast.

Step 1: Air out or quick-rinse (prevents odor “setting”)

If you only change one habit, do not leave sweaty clothes in a pile. The pile traps moisture and warmth, and that is basically an odor incubator.

What I do (fast):

• If I cannot wash the same day, I hang the garment open (inside-out helps) until it dries fully.
• If it is really sweaty (gym tee, sports bra, socks), I do a 10–20 second rinse in cool water and hang it.

Why it works: Dry fabric slows down the whole “smell rebuild” cycle. It also stops that stale, damp smell that people confuse with sweat odor.

Read Also: Benefits of Natural Cleaning Products

Step 2: Do an oxygen pre-soak on sweaty gym clothes (the “deep reset”)

This is the step that fixes the classic complaint: “clothes smell like sweat after washing.” Pre-soaking helps because it gives the oxygen cleaner time to work through the underarm area and fibers before the wash cycle dilutes everything.

What to use it for:

• Gym gear (especially polyester)
• Towels
• Pet blankets
• Anything with stubborn odor that “comes back”

How I run it (simple):

1. Fill a bucket/sink with warm water (warm helps, but do not go hotter than the care label).

2. Add an oxygen laundry soaker (follow pack directions).

3. Soak 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how bad the odor is.

4. Wring gently, then wash your clothes normally.

Kin Kin Naturals Oxygen Laundry Soaker is a soaker + stain remover and it can be used for soaking or machine washing.

Step 3: Wash with the right detergent dose (most people under-dose)

Eco detergents can work extremely well, but sweat odor exposes light dosing on heavy loads. If the detergent amount does not match the soil level, oils remain in the fabric, and odor returns the moment the fabric warms up.

My practical dosing rule:

• Everyday wear: standard dose
• Gym + towels + socks in one load: heavy-soil dose
• If you pre-soaked: you can often return to standard dose for the main wash (because the soak already did the heavy lifting)

Step 4: Use the warmest safe water setting (if label allows)

Warm water usually lifts body oils better than cold. I treat temperature as a tool, cold for delicate synthetics, warm for cotton and odor-heavy items (when safe).

Simple guide (quick and safe):

• Cotton tees, towels, bed sheets: warm is often the best odor-removal sweet spot (check labels)
• Polyester activewear: warm can help, but stay within label limits (high heat can damage elastane)
• Delicates / wool blends: cool + gentle cycle, rely more on pre-soak than heat

If you are stuck with cold-only loads (shared laundry, delicate fabrics), do not panic. In that case, pre-soak + correct dose becomes even more important.

Step 5: Dry fully and fast (odor prevention)

This is where a lot of routines fail at the finish line. Even if the wash worked, leaving clothes damp (or drying slowly in humid air) can create a musty overlay smell.

Move washed clothes as soon as possible and dry fully in sunlight or warm air.

What I do:

• Start drying immediately after the cycle ends.
• Give items space on the line so air can move.
• If using a dryer, avoid overstuffing.

Read Also: How Cleaning Products Affect Indoor Air Quality

Eco-friendly Product Toolkit to Remove Body Odor From Clothes

Think of this as a small “odor-control kit” you can reuse again and again. You do not need a laundry shelf full of bottles.

1) For deeply removing odor (pre-soak)

Oxygen laundry soaker

• Best for: gym gear, towels, pet blankets, persistent odor
• Use: pre-soak, then normal wash

2) For sensitive skin / low residue

Ultra-concentrated, plant-based laundry liquids

• Best for: households avoiding strong fragrance, people prone to irritation
• Use: pick one detergent you will repurchase, then dose based on the load soil level

3) For stains + brightening support

Fragrance-free presoak powder

• Best for: sweat marks, general dinginess, school uniforms, towels
• Use: as a targeted support product when needed (not every load)

4) For faster drying

Wool dryer balls

• Best for: reducing drying time and damp odors in the dryer
• Use: toss 3 in with damp laundry

Check out a wide range of eco home cleaning products available to order at My Health Food Shop today.

FAQs

Why do my clothes still smell like sweat even after washing?

Usually it is residue still inside the fabric (body oils, sweat byproducts, deodorant film). Fabric type also matters because fiber composition can influence which microbes grow and how malodor develops, especially after repeated wears.

How do I get sweat smell out of polyester gym clothes?

Polyester can hold onto odor compounds and build up “permastink” over time, so you often need a pre-soak + correct dosing + full drying routine. Start with an oxygen pre-soak, wash with a heavy-soil dose when needed, then dry completely.

Is oxygen bleach safe for most laundry?

It is commonly used for deodorizing and whitening when used as directed, but do not mix it with other “hacks.” The Spruce specifically advises not mixing oxygen bleach with vinegar during laundry; use them in separate steps if you use both at all.

What is the fastest way to remove armpit odor from shirts?

Treat underarms like a “hot spot.” Pre-soak the underarm area (oxygen soaker helps), wash warm if the label allows, and avoid fabric softener that can leave residue.

How do I prevent sweat smell from coming back?

Do not let damp clothes sit. Dose correctly for sweaty loads, and dry items fully and promptly. Correct dosing plus prompt, complete drying is the core of preventing odor return.