smelly jeans - laudry recommendations?

15 years ago

Any advice on how to wash smelly jeans so that they really get clean? Jeans and workout clothes seem clean after washing, but after a few hours the old smells are revived, so I know they are not getting really clean. It seems that no detergent or technique I've tried, including adding baking soda, double washing, or pre-soaking helps. I even tried the clear enzyme stuff you use to deoderize cat urine. Didn't help.

Currently using an Arm & Hammer Clear forumla for washing, but I've tried other detergents as well and have had no success with this problem.

I discovered that Febreeze makes a laundry odor elimnator. Any one tried that? Does it work?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1421893}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

melindy
15 years ago
Hi Earthy,
Have you tried using Borax as an additive? It works well in getting out the sour smell in my laundry when I've forgotten to move the clothes out of the washer. I usually use Tide HE for a front loader. Tried a "free and clear" detergent recently, and everything smelled sour, even with a fragrant softener. My DH finally asked me to go back to the chemicals.

Right now I am trying Charlie's Soap based on rec. on this forum. I am really pleased!!! I'm not using softener nor dryer sheets and my clothes smell great. Very fresh, no fake smells and not sour! And another thing I've noticed, which I can't explain, is that the clothes seem to dry quicker.
reeree_natural
15 years ago
earthie
the laundry forum has this same exact thread..type in "smelly jeans' in the search bar and it will come up.
Ree
Related Discussions
O.T. Zimm's Crack Cream - Thanks Dawn!
Q
Comments (7)
Soonergrandmom, That really "cracked" me up, ROTFL. Now I will think of your story every time I see that crack cream! Dawn, No wonder I couldn't find it at WalMart. I kept looking on the hand lotion aisle for it, and in the pharmacy where they sell the lotion for cracked heels. I thought it was because we have, believe it or not, a MINI Super Center, LOL. Meaning a small WalMart that sells groceries. I thought maybe they just didn't carry it here because the store is small, but I had also looked at the Ada WalMart and couldn't find it there either. I guess I should have just posted then, and you could have told me where to look. :) DH has been whining around all winter about his poor fingers, and nothing he tried helped until now. I personally am not a lotion type person. I just don't much like lotion even when my hands get dry. But DH really suffers in the winter and always gets cracks on the tips of his fingers. I was amazed at how fast that Zim's cream cured his fingers. I really do thank you for the tip, and Soonergrandmom, thanks so much for the laugh. :)
...See More
For fans of Sears HE laundry detergent...
Q
Comments (73)
I have 4 different varieties of the Sears...someone stop by with a truck and you can tak99% of it. I can't use all of this. I have never had a problem with this stuff disolving in my TL'ers. But I generally use hot water. I've heard complaints of it not disolving in cold and dubbed down warm. I've only used it 4 times in my Duet (I love saying my duet) all with hot water and again no disolving issues. I would just pre disolve it before adding it to the machine if its giving you problems, seems like a pain but it will only take a minute. Jody I think you need to stop by and grab a few hundred pounds of mine to add to your stash. LOL. I do plan to sell the vast majoriy of mine But will keep maybe 5 pounds of each. I really like it used with Wisk, STPP & Pure sodium percarbonate, Sins recipe..it does a fantastic job on whites and bedding. Have you tried that yet? Ajaynes2...I must have missed it..what machine do you have?
...See More
What breed of dog would you recommend?
Q
Comments (44)
bumblebeez - that's why we take off our shoes at the door. Thanks guys for defending me. Rilie - I wouldn't hose DD off with disinfectant, she already washes her hands when she comes home (as we all do). If she's dirty (I mean really dirty), she takes off her clothes when she takes off her shoes. DH gets so filthy sometimes he takes off his clothes in the garage and puts them in a hamper out there - I'm washing his clothes right now, one pair of jeans was so caked with mud that I had to rinse them off in the utility sink before putting them in the washer (on double rinse). I've even mentioned thinking of getting another W/D hookup in the basement and moving the old pair down there so we can wash the "farm" clothes in separate machine than the "school" and "office" clothes. I don't like finding bits of hay in my bath towels. Of course DH doesn't like finding DD's hair on his clothes or my hair in his food either. I don't get *quite* as filthy as DH, but there are plenty of times that I strip down in the mudroom and run upstairs in my skivvies to take a shower (shoulda had a shower put in the mudroom - have to see if we can put one in basement as originally planned). We also have to check each other for ticks. Sorry if TMI, but that's just a fact of living on acreage. So I wouldn't be able to get a dog until we got a dog bath LOL if it got as dirty as DH! But with the coyote(s), I don't think a dog is a good idea anyway. Now, back to folding whites (washed in bleach and hot water to kill germs LOL)!
...See More
What is causing smelly clean laundry?
Q
Comments (62)
Such good questions! I have an LG FL, and I agree about powdered detergent, ESPECIALLY for all-synthetic clothing! I learned that from a clothing Sales rep of outdoor and adventure clothing. The liquid detergents do not fully break down and rinse out. The residue acts like fabric softener, preventing the wicking ability of synthetics. If it‘s not rinsing out of clothes, then it must also be leaving residue in the machine! I tried something new with smelly sheets and towels, and overly dirty or smelly clothes. It‘s a bit of a commitment, but worth it. I do 3 washes: Alkaline, Acidic, Alkaline. Short wash with only oxy-clean on hottest setting, Alkaline. Then short wash on hot using only 3/4-1 cup white vinegar, Acid. Then regular wash with detergent, but by now I only need a small amount, since the Acid, vinegar, has neutralized the Alkaline, Oxy-clean. Think about science in school: if you pour baking soda into vinegar, it foams. I don’t need to do this for every load, but done 2x per week, it keeps the washer smelling so fresh. And the clothes come out clean!
...See More
earthie
Original Author
15 years ago
Funny, I've tried that a couple of times, but your search must be better than mine...never found it.

Anyway, since I wrote this, I've been researching a bit and found these recommendations:

* add 2 cans of coca cola to the wash
* make sure detergent doesn't contain phosphates which cause fabrics to hold odor
* try 20 mule team borax
* use Dreft

The dreft thing makes sense to me, as it has traditionally been used to clean and deoderize smelly diapers...so hey, may give that a try.

The coke thing just sounds weird. But I may try it.
jobird
15 years ago
If your workout cloths are made of synthetic fiber,like those used in Under Armour or Dri-fit,then you might want to use a detergent (supposedly) designed for them. Here are some I've found:

Win Sport Detergent

Sport-Wash Detergent

Sport Suds Detergent

Personally, I think Twenty Mule-Team Borax laundry additive will take care of the problem.
lindac
15 years ago
I find that a scoop of oxy clean neutralizes all odors that I have encountered.
Try putting fewer items in your washer....perhaps you are overloading it....jeans are cotton and should wash clean every time.
Linda C
jannie
15 years ago
I also recommend OxyClean. I use it whenever I wash something "smelly".
groomingal
15 years ago
I happened to be the one to start the smelly jeans thread in the laundry forum. I am happy to say that after switching to Charlies Soap and after several (maybe 10) washes there is no more smell and even when I wear the jeans the smell does not return.
reeree_natural
15 years ago
groomingdale
thanks for the up date, I am glad Charlies worked well for you! Don't ya just love the stuff? (smile)
Ree
lyoung_gardener
15 years ago
Hi there! I use the oxyclean spray (pre-treat stuff) I spray all my husband's work jeans (grease, dirt, blood, etc.) and everything comes out...I mean everything...even smelly stuff :-)
brutuses
15 years ago
I put about a cup or more of white vinegar in every rinse cycle for all my clothes, sheets, pet bedding, etc. Makes lint fall off and makes everything soft, free from detergent residue and retains colors in fabrics.
dxcspilk
15 years ago
I second white vinegar. I use it in every load of laundry for the above reasons, and to eliminate odors! I first tried it with sour rags and was amazed they came out smelling perfectly fresh. It does the same for a load of laundry that was left in the washer. No odors what so ever. I don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets anymore. Saves money, and does a much better job!
earthie
Original Author
15 years ago
OK...I'll be trying them all. I hope the cheapest one works the best!

smelly jeans - laudry recommendations?

Comments (12)

melindy

reeree_natural

Related Discussions

earthie
Original Author

jobird

lindac

jannie

groomingal

reeree_natural

lyoung_gardener

brutuses

dxcspilk

earthie
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

smelly jeans - laudry recommendations?

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

earthieOriginal Author

earthieOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

earthie
Original Author

earthie
Original Author