Laundry problem: getting rid of odor

[maestramommy]

Dh and I have this..... odor. It's not BO. It's just this gamy odor that probably comes from the oils off our skin. I'm pretty sure you can't smell it when you're standing next to us, because it's not quite that strong, but it gets in our sheets, and our Tshirts. Not sure why it's not in our other clothes (at least not mine), but even after washing, all it does is sit there for a few hours and it starts to smell again. Anyone know what I'm talking about? I call it the Asian guy smell because I've only smelled it on Asian guys, but maybe it's more universal? I use Charlie's Soap powder, and I have tried using hot water wash, using Bac-out in the wash cycle, as a presoak, and it still smells. I tried using Tide HE but all it seems to do is cover it with the Tide perfume. My next strategy is to put vinegar in the rinse cycle.

Anyone else have this problem? Does ANYTHING work?

[Green_Tea]

When my clothes and towels seem to come out smelling not so fresh I add a cup of vinegar to the *wash* cycle. I have also been known to throw some baking powder in as well. Seems to take care of it. I also notice that drying on higher heat works, too. FWIW, I typically use regular Tide or Arm & Hammer detergent.

[truly scrumptious]

I throw a few tablespoons of baking powder in with every wash - it is great for removing funky smells from towels and sheets, especially.

[Andi98989]

I put a cup of ammonia in the wash water - great for getting rid of funk. My parents used to go to "fish camp" for a week each summer and came back just reaking. We were able to just wash their clothes once by adding the ammonia to the water.

[infomama]

One thing that I have learned is that it's important to get the clothes into the dryer asap after washing is done.

[sophiesmom03]

I throw a few tablespoons of baking powder in with every wash - it is great for removing funky smells from towels and sheets, especially.

Baking powder, or soda?

I used vinegar in wash cycles with cloth diapers with success. It was also great at getting any lingering smell out of the washing machine.

Interesting q if it's on you and getting into your clothes...is there something unusual that you both eat or drink?

Good luck!

[edurnemk]

Vinegar in the rinse works for us. Also adding baking soda or oxiclean along with the detergent.

If that doesn't work I wonder if stripping those clothes every now and then like you'd do with cloth diapers would work?

[twowhat?]

Do you have a front-loader or top loader? How long are you leaving the clothes in the washer before transferring to the dryer? If you have a front-loader, are you keeping the door and detergent tray open when it's not in use so it can dry out? Have you tried oxyclean?

[truly scrumptious]

Baking powder, or soda?

Sorry - baking soda.
Can I blame it on pregnancy brain? :

[edurnemk]

Sorry - baking soda.
Can I blame it on pregnancy brain? :

If this makes you feel better, the other day I heard a commercial on the radio from a grocery store that gives "tips" and then promotes the products, and they also said to add half a cup of baking powder to the wash, I laughed so hard picturing the poor woman who'd follow that instruction. I don't know how many people review that before airing, and still they didn't catch it. So don't feel bad about the pregnancy brain!