What can I do to get rid of a sour smell in laundry?

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My husband’s work shirts are made of 100% poly. He works outside all day, and the odor is horrible. Several workers of the same company have the same problem. I have tried oxy, colorsafe bleach, vinegar, baking soda, hot/cold water, soaking in different household cleaners… I even tried pet/ stain and odor remover! Do you have any other ideas? I really feel bad for him b/c he has to smell it all day and so do the customers he is in contact with.

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  1. KAREN A says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    when my son was in wrestling in high school ,his clothes smelled worse than anything i had ever smelled in my life. he would leave them in his car for days and then bring them in for me to clean.

    the only thing i found to get rid of the smell was AMMONIA.
    i washed his stuff in warm water with about a 1/2 to a whole cup of ammonia and about half of the regular amount of detergent. it works great.

  2. the_fitter_man says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    i work with people in a poly unifor aswell the only thing that works for me is a cap of lemon juicein the laundry water

  3. the icecream tender says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Febreeze

  4. Jeep Driver says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    I used to put a bit of aftershave in the last rinse when I had this problem. It will take a bit of trial and error to find the right amount but it lasts most of the day once you get it right, without being overpowering

  5. sportlvr45 says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    I had the same problem I work out doors too he needs to change to cotton shirts also get a product called UpandOut it really works buy it at home depot

  6. FunnyForker says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Write a letter to the person you would need to send to make the change in the uniforms…… have the wives of the other men to sign it also…… put your stinkiest sour smelling shirt into a plastic bag to keep the stink from leaking out…put it in a box with the letter….. give the box to the person that can make the changes….and be as polite as possible. Otherwise you will just keep the same problem……… also tell your husband to drink more water and stop drinking and eating so much crap….his sweat could stink because of that too.

  7. marvin says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Wash with HOT water. I know that’s not PC but you need to get the sweat (which is kind of oily), and bacteria out of the clothes. Maybe wash them twice or use the longest wash cycle

  8. winterlvr66 says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Always use a good detergent…like tide. and never over fill the washer. Water needs to move thru the material. Can’t do it properly if it is crammed full. Also use a good fabric softner like Bounce or snuggle. It really makes a difference.

  9. walterknowsall says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    fill your washer with cold water and a whole bottle of lysol, put the clothes in and let soak over night…..then run the washer with the lysol and water, then rewash with plain water and laundry soap, that should solve the problem…[this is also good for smoke damage on clothes]
    i found this out when my neighbors and i had a fire in our building…every one paid big $$ at the dry cleaner’s and i tried the lysol and saved big time

  10. Wondering says:
    March 9, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Sunshine has been a miracle worker for my laundry issues. Sun and wind blowing through clothes–and shoes, for that matter–has been very effective. Hopefully you can find a solution that works well for you! Good luck!!!

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