After a particularly hot day or a sweaty session at the gym, it’s common for clothes to develop a strong sweaty smell. This odor can stick around even after washing the clothes. 

Synthetic clothes made from polyester, nylon and other artificial fibers are particularly notorious for holding onto sweaty smells. But natural fabrics can also get sweaty and musty. 

Here’s how to get rid of that strong sweaty smell from clothes. These tips also work great for smelly bedding, a common problem for people with night sweats. 

1. Wash Sweaty Clothes Immediately or Store Them Properly 

The more sweat sits in your clothes, the more odor-causing bacteria grows on them. So laundering sweaty clothes as soon as you take them off can get rid of the sweaty smell before it gets too strong and stubborn. 

Of course, this is not always possible. For instance, if you are at the gym or you are backpacking. In that case, let the sweaty clothes air dry before you pack them in your bag. Without moisture, there won’t be as much bacterial activity and clothes don't smell as sweaty. 

Also air out sweaty clothes before putting them in a laundry hamper or basket. Make sure the hamper is well ventilated to keep the clothes dry. Poor air flow can worsen the sweaty smell and make them smell musty, too. 

2. Do Not Use Fabric Softener 

When it comes to laundering sweaty clothes, there’s a science to it if you want them to come out fresh and odorless. Turn the clothes inside out to allow better contact with water and detergent, select the right wash temperature recommended on the care label and consider using detergent formulated specifically for activewear. 

Another hugely important tip: ditch the fabric softener. 

But wait, doesn't softener help get rid of the sweaty smell and make sweaty clothes smell nice? Not exactly. In fact, there’s a chance that the care label on your gym or outdoor wear specifically mentions not to use fabric softener. 

Fabric softener coats clothes in a film that traps sweat and bacteria. During subsequent washes, this film also keeps detergent from reaching the fibers of your clothes and getting rid of the sweat and bacteria. So your clothes end up always smelling sour, musty and funky no matter how much you wash them. 

Fabric softener also affects the moisture wicking performance of clothes, making you hotter and sweatier when you work out. And don't forget that fabric softener can also cause skin irritation.

3. Use Vinegar or Baking Soda to Deodorize Sweaty Clothes

Fabric softener does not deodorize sweaty clothes. It only masks the sweaty smell and makes it worse. 

Instead of softener, white vinegar or baking soda does an excellent job getting rid of sweaty smells without damaging your clothes or risking contact dermatitis. 

Add vinegar to the softener compartment. It will deodorize sweaty clothes during the rinse cycle. If you are worried about vinegar damaging the washing machine (though there’s no evidence that it does, as long as you use regular kitchen vinegar), you can also soak smelly clothes in a bucket or basin and add some vinegar. After an hour, you can wash the clothes as normal. 

Alternatively, add baking soda directly in the drum of the washing machine. 

4. Avoid Washing With Too Much Detergent

Another common laundry mistake when washing smelly clothes is using too much detergent. More detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes. Too much detergent actually worsens sweaty smells. It leaves a residue on clothing, trapping sweat and bacteria in the fibers. 

Just a little detergent — about a tablespoon per load — is enough for a full load. 

5. Wear Anti-odor Clothing 

This is not so much about getting rid of the sweaty smell, but preventing it. These days, you can get clothes treated with antibacterial substances like silver. They suppress the growth of odor-causing bacteria, which keeps clothes fresher for longer even when you sweat. 

Hercleon has a range of antibacterial clothing including shirts, socks and underwear. They are great if you have an active lifestyle.