Here’s how to get sweat smell out of clothes:
- 1. Soak the garment in one part white vinegar and four parts cold water
- 2. Add half a cup of baking soda
- 3. Machine wash with a laundry pod
- 4. Hang to air dry
If your clothes smell sweaty after a tough workout or a hot summer day, your first instinct is probably to throw them straight into the washer to eliminate that odor. Your washing machine will rinse the sweat out of the fabric, but it might not get rid of the smell.
Quick science lesson: Sweat itself is odorless. That unpleasant sweat odor actually comes from bacteria on your skin that break down sweat and release odor molecules, which can linger long after a wash cycle. Bottom line: You have to neutralize the odor at the source. You can’t mask the smell of sweat with laundry detergent or scent boosters, no matter how powerful or amazing they smell.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get sweat smell out of your clothes—for real this time.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Laundry detergent pods
- A large container, bucket, sink, or bathtub
1. Soak in Vinegar & Water
Start with a pre-soak that does the dirty work: Mix one part white vinegar with four parts cold water in a sink, tub, or bucket—whatever’s big enough to fully submerge your smelly gear. Let everything soak for at least 30 minutes.
Vinegar contains acetic acid, a natural deodorizer that breaks down the bacteria causing that rank smell. And no, your clothes won’t come out smelling like salad dressing.
2. Add Baking Soda
Once your clothes have soaked in the vinegar solution, sprinkle in half a cup of baking soda and stir until it dissolves. Let it sit for another 30 minutes while the fizz works its odor-neutralizing magic.
Between the vinegar and the baking soda, you’re knocking out odor at the source, not just covering it up.
3. Machine Wash With a Laundry Pod
Time to finish the job. Drain the solution, gently wring out the excess, and toss your clothes straight into the washer. Turn them inside out to make sure areas like the armpits and waistband get fully cleaned (bacteria love to hide where it’s warm and sweaty).
Run a normal wash cycle using the warmest temperature your care label calls for. Don’t forget to toss in a Laundry Sauce pod to get rid of any lingering sweat smells. Our high-performance laundry pods are packed with bio-enzymes that help break down odor-causing molecules to leave your clothes smelling irresistible.
Whether you want something dark and exotic like Australian Sandalwood or crisp and fresh like Italian Bergamot, laundry day will never be the same again.
4. Hang to Air Dry
Whenever possible, air dry your clothes in direct sunlight. The UV rays help disinfect and knock out lingering smells—and bonus: you’re saving energy by not using the dryer. If you’re stuck drying indoors, skip the heat and go for a no-heat tumble.
Pro tip: Toss in a few wool dryer balls to speed up the drying process, prevent static cling, and reduce wrinkles.
How to Prevent Sweat Smell On Clothes
Now that you know how to get rid of that sweat smell on your clothes, let’s cover a few tips to prevent that stench in the first place.
1. Wash Your Clothes Soon After Wearing Them
The longer you let sweat linger on your clothes, the harder it is to get rid of that stubborn musty smell. If you work out on a Monday and don’t do laundry until Sunday, you create the perfect storm for mildew buildup. This is especially true for moisture-wicking workout clothes made from synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester, which are less breathable than natural fabrics like cotton.
Pro tip: Avoid using fabric softener on activewear, since it can leave a coating that reduces its absorbency.
3. Hang Dry Your Clothes Before Washing
If you don’t want to run multiple wash cycles each week, hang your sweaty gym clothes to air dry them before tossing them in your hamper. Bacteria thrive in damp and warm environments, and sweaty clothes provide an ideal breeding ground. Hang drying your sweaty clothes helps minimize the moisture content, reducing the chance of bacterial growth and unpleasant odors.
4. Wash Smaller Loads
If you overload your washing machine, there’s a good chance your clothes might smell gross when they come out. (This is called “rebloom”). That happens because the laundry detergent doesn’t have enough space to disperse evenly. Overloading also reduces the amount of water available for each item, making it difficult to rinse thoroughly.
Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines on load capacity to avoid overloading your washing machine.
Go from Sweaty to Seductive with Laundry Sauce
You might have a personal fragrance or body wash that dazzles the senses. But those don’t matter if your clothes stink from last week’s workout. Don’t let a lackluster laundry routine cramp your style. Stick to the steps we covered here, and you’ll always smell your best.
Speaking of which…take our two-minute scent quiz to discover a fragrance that suits your vibe, then snag the Signature Package to save 20%.
