Hi, found this thread during research as I began to notice perspiration odors were not coming out of high-tech sports clothing - a typical problem as those fabrics have a long-standing reputation for retaining sweat odors. Some of the clothing was given to me, perhaps because the original owner couldn't deal with the problem, so I inherited the smell. But two shirts have been mine since new and I guess I let them get sweaty recently. So thanks to OP for bringing up the topic and for all the helpful answers. I've long been a fan of natural fibers, but being an active outdoor hiker and backpacker, have finally started using the polyester etc. high tech clothing. Many may not realize that for extreme winter snow sports, we avoid cotton, even as undies. It is called "death cloth" because it absorbs moisture and then loses its insulation value and can even freeze. Thus the move to fabrics that wick moisture away from the body and do not retain it. (And those are just the ones that get stinky.) I used a baking soda mash on the pits, then washed all the shirts normally. That did not work. So next I put them in the front-load washer in hot water with about a third of a cup of Oxiclean dissolved in it - a strong solution - and let them sit overnight before washing. Now no pit odor. Could've been just the Oxiclean that was successful or perhaps the action of the combo. Meanwhile I realize that prevention is the best idea so am rethinking my antiperspirant/deodorant, which for years has been unscented Mitchum roll-on. For some reason it is not quite as effective as it used to be, so I will acquire both Certain Dri and the Secret Clinical Strength to alternate with the Mitchum. I realize that I need to be careful to use both an antiperspirant AND a deodorant since I can't shower daily during the winter due to extremely dry skin. (Itching prevents sleep even after the application of lotion, usually Walmart's version of Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion!) Again, thanks.

@ livebetter....Thank you for your very detailed explanation of laundry enzymes! While no specific enzyme will "deodorize", as we all know, enzymes aid in the the cleaning process of many proteins and molecules! I work out regularly. I wear anti-perspirant and deodorant DAILY. I do not like to sweat or smell like sweat. Many under arm deos and anti-perspirants adhere to fabric. Without enzymes, laundry detergent cannot thorougly remove the deo and anti-perspirant from the fabric. In turn, the fabric still smells, hence what I like to consier deodorizing! Before I am attacked for not using a "green" deodorant or anti-perspirant...I have tried DOZENS. I hate them all. I do not like to feel wet, and I do not like to smell of underarm odor. If I am putting a hole in the ozone, or killing some baby seal somewhere because I choose to use "real" deodorant & anti-perspirant...well, life sucks sometimes!! :) I do my part for the Earth (solar panels, recycle everything I can, I own a "green" car, all appliances are efficient and new, etc... But, I draw the line with deodorant!! LOL

Boiling on the stove- Im sure this works but come on - if your at that stage its time to invest in a good FL with a heater in it. Your spending your way to it anyway in clothing wear and tear. gunk, funk, manure, you name it a good detergent and a sustained tumble in 120-140 will stop that problem. Deoderant/anti persperant does make a marked difference in how aggressive I need to be to keep the funk away. I settled on 2 and I switch - Jack black, and clarins with the clarins D-O seemingly the most chemically superior, but not much scent. every 4-6 weeks I do an 8 hour soak in warm of oxy and do a double rinse and I have dress white shirts that I bought in 06 that are indistiguishable from the ones acquire in 09. The taylor marks my shirts year of assembly with a tag- I actually have to check. I dirt bike ride, boat, and 4x4 all the time sweat like a hog and get really dirty. The equipment & detergent is really the secret. Dave

The French cuffs would be treated like regular cuffs. I always used to use a pre-treat like Shout. Now that I discovered 'free and clear' type detergents with enzymes as well as 'free & clear' type oxygen bleach (Ecover), I don't use the Shout as often, unless I see cuffs that are really nasty. If nothing else works, I would try soaking the cuffs only in a bucket of hot water with the detergent. If you use a liquid detergent that has enzymes, perhaps use that as a pre-treat for 5 to 15 minutes before washing. I've done this with Persil Color Gel on my dark garments, with great success. HTH