Sweat and body odour

Short answer: Sweat smells less often than T-shirts, because there is usually a layer underneath. Air it between wears, and it only needs washing every third to fifth time. That saves washes and is gentler on the fabric.

The layer underneath does the work

A T-shirt underneath absorbs sweat before it reaches the sweat fabric. The T-shirt goes in the wash after a day, while the sweat top can be worn again. That is why a hoodie stays fresh longer. See the bamboo joggers for men, made to be worn with a layer beneath.

Airing between wears

Hang the sweat top up loosely overnight instead of dropping it in the laundry basket. Air around the fabric lets moisture escape, and that removes most odour. An open window or a hanger in the hall works well, rather than folded on a chair. The same goes for bamboo sweat for men and women.

When it needs a wash

If the fabric has been damp, or it still smells after airing, wash it at 40 degrees. Turn it inside out first, so the water reaches the side that was against your body. This also applies to bamboo hoodie men, where the back and underarms are the first areas to need a wash.

Where the odour sits

Odour builds up mostly where you sweat most, usually under the arms, at the neck and in the middle of the back. Those are the areas to focus on when airing or washing. If only one spot smells, a quick rinse of that area is sometimes enough for the top to be worn again.

Straight against the skin

If you wear sweat directly against the skin, the fabric absorbs the sweat itself and needs washing more often, especially on warm days and during activity. If you want to wear your hoodie many times between washes, a thin layer underneath is the simplest answer. A T-shirt is easier to wash and dries faster.

Detergent and rinsing

More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. Soap residue settles in thick fabric and can hold on to odour. Use the recommended amount and choose an extra rinse if your machine has one. Skip fabric softener, which coats the fibres and makes it harder for the fabric to release moisture.

Drying after washing

Sweat should dry quickly and fully. Fabric left damp too long in the machine or in a pile can start to smell again before you have even worn it. Take it out as soon as the wash is done, shake it and hang it with plenty of air around it. A tumble dryer can stiffen the fabric.

Storage

Never put a worn sweat top straight into the wardrobe with clean clothes. Air it first, and only put it away once it is fully dry and fresh. Clothes in a wardrobe benefit from a little space so air can move. In a packed wardrobe, odour can pass from one top to the next.

Frequently asked questions

How often should a hoodie be washed

Every third to fifth wear with a layer underneath. More often if you wear it directly against the skin, or if you sweated a lot in it on a warm day.

Does freezing it help

The effect is short lived. Bacteria are not killed by frost, they simply go dormant, and once the top warms up again the odour usually returns fairly soon.

Why does sweat smell after washing

Because residue stays behind in the thick fabric. An extra rinse often helps, as does using less detergent and letting the top dry quickly.