https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871297 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 22:55:21 +0000 kiddosc 2871297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: We have a water softener, but DH manages it. I just noticed last week there was no salt downstairs, so who know how long we’ve been out. This has been an ongoing issue over a few years, so I don’t think it’s specifically a hard water issue though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871259 Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:57:32 +0000 Hypatia 2871259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: If your water is too hard, none of your detergent is going to be able to effectively clean the clothes. You might try buying some Calgon to soften it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871140 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:49:49 +0000 kiddosc 2871140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peachykeen: I had heard cloth diaper mamas mention stripping and wondered if that might help. I’m going to buy some of the mighty bubbles and try soaking his undershirts, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871128 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 13:21:11 +0000 peachykeen 2871128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: @kiddosc: Many antiperspirants use aluminum or other metals which don't wash out in the laundry without softeners (especially if you have hard water). The build-up of the deodorant then holds in the stink and won't let detergent bind to it to get it clean. Stripping the shirts with deo build-up should take care of this at least temporarily. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871127 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 13:18:49 +0000 peachykeen 2871127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use Persil Odor Fighter on my cloth diapers (and DD2 is on soy milk so they're extra stinky) and they come out perfect! Anything that has a lingering smell (towels that hubby has let sour, for example) I throw 1/2 c original Pine Sol in the wash and that takes care of anything.</p> <p>If it's deodorant build-up, though, you may need to strip with Grovia Mighty Bubbles or a combo of washing soda, Borax, and Calgon to remove the deodorant build-up before you can get the stink out. </p> <p>Here's the Persil and the Mighty Bubbles:<br /> <a href="https://www.target.com/p/persil-2in1-odor-fighter-liquid-laundry-detergent-100oz-50-loads/-/A-52945126" rel="nofollow">https://www.target.com/p/persil-2in1-odor-fighter-liquid-laundry-detergent-100oz-50-loads/-/A-52945126</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/GroVia-Bubbles-Laundry-Treatment-Diapers/dp/B009LGDGX2" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/GroVia-Bubbles-Laundry-Treatment-Diapers/dp/B009LGDGX2</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871124 Sat, 09 Feb 2019 13:01:29 +0000 kiddosc 2871124@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: He does all the dishes, I do all the laundry 😜 and that doesn’t really change the fact that his clothes aren’t getting clean. </p> <p>@Littlebit7: he uses a stupid amount of deodorant, so it’s likely a buildup issue and I don’t know that that would change with another brand. I’ve tried to get him to use less, but no dice. Realistically, I see a buildup of deodorant on my own clothes, but the scent is less obvious to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871061 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 21:46:05 +0000 Littlebit7 2871061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc:<br /> I’m more intrigued as to why his deodorant is leaving such an odor behind? I’ve never really heard of that! If he switches up his deodorant for a week, does that change anything? That might be a good test to see what is going on vs trying. To fix the problem after it occurs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871055 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:48:45 +0000 ElbieKay 2871055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Make him do his own laundry! Problem solved! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871027 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:34:43 +0000 Becky 2871027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got pretty picky about using natural detergent when I had kids. It was not working for taking out odors and I ended up trying soap nuts. They work SO well. I was skeptical but I’m not turning back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871026 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 16:31:16 +0000 kiddosc 2871026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: @Kaohinani: I'm definitely going to give this stuff a try, thanks! </p> <p>@Littlebit7: We got rid of our old machine when we moved and the new house had a front loader (which I hated and got nothing clean), when that died we got our current machine which seems to do well for everything except this deodorant smell. Doing deep wash and extra rinses does help some, but it takes sooooo long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871011 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:41:03 +0000 gotkimchi 2871011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wash with a cup of vinegar </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871007 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:30:31 +0000 Kaohinani 2871007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second @Sams Mom's suggestion of Lysol Laundry Sanitizer... The stuff is AH-MAZING to get out terrible smells ranging from all the gross that DH brings home (He is an engineer and construction superintendent AND is an Army reservist -- all of his clothes stink at all times. 😉😂🤣) to pet smells and the grody ick that kids leave behind (sweat, drool, urine, vomit, poop, etc). I use it every wash (along with Tide). </p> [attach=9021/19/pmmjmv.450x600.20190208_152448.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871002 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:22:38 +0000 Sams Mom 2871002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: it is the shit! I don't know if you are unlucky enough to have ever smelled dirty bulletproof vest... But they are NASTY! I use it in workout clothes too, and since there is no bleach, I can put it in all the loads if I so desire. $9.99 for a 90 oz jug at Target, Walmart, or Menards. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871001 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:21:55 +0000 MenagerieMama 2871001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an HE washed without agitator and I use the original Tide powder detergent to wash our cloth diapers (toddler poop!) or dog laundry. Works great! We use free and clear for everything else but sometimes it doesn’t cut it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2871000 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:20:36 +0000 bhbee 2871000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: ooh I need to try this. Dh gets stinky towels and ive been running vinegar followed by baking soda (short cycles) which seems to work but is annoying!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2870997 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:19:04 +0000 Littlebit7 2870997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use persil, oxi for whites ( or the free and clear version), hottest wash there is, heavy duty cycle, and extra rise for my stinky messy light clothes or anything else that is tough.<br /> Did you calibrate your washer when you first got it? It might not be adding enough water or the water might not be hot enough? maybe run a nearby sink first (like you do with the dishwasher).</p> <p>Also, Ive found with the HE machines, I can't stuff them too full or I have subpar results. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2870984 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:49:58 +0000 Sams Mom 2870984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. If it can get the smell of funky kevlar out of my husband's vest carrier, it should take care of deodorant easily!</p> <p>You just add it in the bleach cup in your washer </p> [attach=8928/19/pmmhsz.292x600.Screenshot_20190208-135032.png] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/laundry-detergent-for-tough-odors#post-2870982 Fri, 08 Feb 2019 14:46:59 +0000 kiddosc 2870982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just cannot seem to get the deodorant smell out of my husband's shirts. I've had to start washing his clothes separately because everything comes out smelling like his deodorant. I feel like this problem started when we got a new HE washing machine (I miss a full tub of water and an agitator :bummed: )... or maybe he switched deodorants around that same time? </p> <p>I've tried several different detergents, All with oxiclean, All free and clear, tide free and gentle, tide sport (which had such a strong odor of its own it gave me a headache). The internet tells me to use degreaser on his shirts, or a baking soda paste, but those aren't realistic cleaning techniques for all of his undershirts every week. I tried the degreaser method and it was hard to tell if it actually got the deodorant out or the chemical smell just masked it... but after another wash or two they were back to smelling like the deodorant. </p> <p>Does someone have a great detergent to recommend? Or something I can soak his shirts in or add to the wash cycle? This stupid problem drives me so crazy, I just want the clean laundry to smell clean! </p>