Question:
I have a shirt that I really like- it is very comfortable, and it's made out of something called Akwa-tek. It's great in the gym or for running. I could buy one new, but this one is broken in already and it has some sentimental value (I 'stole' it from my lady).
The problem is that the shirt has a strong BO smell in the armpits. I have washed it with other gym clothes, and it comes out smelling bad while the other clothes get clean. To be honest, my own gym clothes don't really smell bad- they dry out before they get that sharp BO smell. This shirt must have been left unwashed for a while.
I wore the shirt a few times before, but I first noticed the smell when I wore it running and worked up a sweat. It's the weirdest thing.
And no, the girlfriend doesn't have a bathing problem. The shirt is an official Army PT shirt that she wore in basic training. I'm in the Air Force, so we have a friendly rivalry in that area. The irony of this is not lost on me
So. How the heck do I get that smell out? :-?

Answer:
club soda?

Answer:
hydrochloric acid? ;D

Answer:
I've heard white vinegar works for that, but I don't know if there would be any problems with the special material.

Answer:
Hmm. Vinegar is something I do have. Maybe I'll give it a try.
I have some of that Febreeze stuff at home, but I haven't gotten around to trying that. I don't know if it will work on an odor this tenacious, though.
I'll try presoaking it some kind of detergent/stain remover. This fabric shouldn't fade too bad, as it's a heather grey color.
Thanks for the ideas

Answer:
Have it drycleaned. That is the only way I know of. Heavy duty chemicals will only remove that BO smell. I had purchased a vintage orange sheath dress from ebay awhile back, and it reeked beneath the pits. Tried everything known to man or beast to remove the odor. Finally caved in and had it drycleaned. If drycleaning doesn't remove it, then it's hopeless. Burn it. [smiley=grin.gif]

Answer:
What color is it? If its white try hydrogen peroxide.

Answer:
Originally Posted by greyhueofdoubt I have a shirt that I really like- it is very comfortable, and it's made out of something called Akwa-tek. It's great in the gym or for running. I could buy one new, but this one is broken in already and it has some sentimental value (I 'stole' it from my lady).
The problem is that the shirt has a strong BO smell in the armpits. I have washed it with other gym clothes, and it comes out smelling bad while the other clothes get clean. To be honest, my own gym clothes don't really smell bad- they dry out before they get that sharp BO smell. This shirt must have been left unwashed for a while.
I wore the shirt a few times before, but I first noticed the smell when I wore it running and worked up a sweat. It's the weirdest thing.
And no, the girlfriend doesn't have a bathing problem. The shirt is an official Army PT shirt that she wore in basic training. I'm in the Air Force, so we have a friendly rivalry in that area. The irony of this is not lost on me *
So. How the heck do I get that smell out? *:-?
There are several products available to remove odors from fabrics. *The best one I've found is Bac-Out Stain and Odor Eliminator - here's the company link: *http://www.bi-o-kleen.com/laundry.htm
It's an all natural product - you spray it on the clothes, let it sit for a little while and then throw them in the wash. *I've found that this also works particularly well to rid clothes of vomit odors (I have a toddler), and gets rid of musty odors from clothes retrieved from storage.
White vinegar does work, but it depends how bad the odor is and what kind of odor you're starting with - I use it to de-skunk fishing rags after we get home from fishing trips.
Try the vinegar first (you can either rub some into the clothes, or just add some to the washing water in the washing machine.
I also use Borax (the brand I buy is 20 Mule Team Borax - it's in a green box) in my wash on a regular basis, as it breaks down protein stains and odors too. *You can buy it at the supermarket near laundry soap. *Nothing took out the incredibly nasty odor of baby spit-up from my clothes like Borax and it's great at removing lots of stains. *
Any of these products are safe for your shirt, which is a type of 100% polyester and won't hurt it. *This may seem like an excess of information, but I studied textile sciences in college and have some experience with fabric care and safety, and thought you could use the help. *God help you if you ruin your girlfriend's shirt - LOL!
I didn't mention this before, but thank you for serving in our military.

Answer:
Thank you very much, Herb Lady!
I will try the things you recommended.
If the shirt self-destructs, I think she and I will be even- she has one of my Air Force sweaters.
Herb Lady, since you studied these things, can you give us your opinion of Febreeze-type products? Do they work, or is it all hype?
I was also thinking of using methyl ethyl ketone or pure acetone to soak the shirt, but I figured the source of the scent was a protein or amine and would be insoluble in those chemicals. Ah well.
-ben

Answer:
Originally Posted by greyhueofdoubt Thank you very much, Herb Lady!
I will try the things you recommended.
If the shirt self-destructs, I think she and I will be even- she has one of my Air Force sweaters.
Herb Lady, since you studied these things, can you give us your opinion of Febreeze-type products? Do they work, or is it all hype?
I was also thinking of using methyl ethyl ketone or pure acetone to soak the shirt, but I figured the source of the scent was a protein or amine and would be insoluble in those chemicals. Ah well.
-ben I've never tried Febreeze so can't fairly comment or critique it. *I'm not sure if it actually dissolves or eliminates odors, or just masks them. *I also don't know if it's advertised for clothing; my understanding is that it's for household textiles such as sofas and curtains - things not easily washed. *
As for methyl ethyl ketone or acetone........paint thinner?! To eliminate BO?! Wait, wait, don't tell me - I saw that episode! Wasn't that the one where Wyle E. Coyote straps the ACME rocket pack to his back and ends up slamming face first into the side of the cliff?
That would be a big "NO" on the paint thinner.