It’s happened to all of us. We leave our workout clothes in our gym bag, locked in a hot trunk for a few days. When we go to empty that bag, we are knocked over by the odor that has developed. It’s so bad that even a run through the washing machine doesn’t help.
There’s a fine line between body odor and what happens when we leave our workout clothes and hats soaked in sweat, only to wear them again without washing them. Once you cross that line, even the washing machine can’t help you.
As a bald guy who wears a lot of baseball hats, this is a common issue for me. My big ole bald head gets sweaty, and with no hair to catch that sweat, I rely on hats to keep my face dry.
I’ve tried everything from home remedies involving different kinds of vinegar, baking soda, and citrus fruits to store-bought solutions that all promise funk relief. And almost none of it works… Almost.
So, how do you get the odor out of your workout clothes when a standard wash won’t do? And how about those hats we repeatedly wear until the undeniable aroma forces us to wash them?
How To Remove Stubborn Body Odor From Your Gym Clothes and Hats
There are 2 steps to getting stubborn odors out of workout clothes and hats. First, soak them in hot water and OxyClean powder for at least 8 hours. Then wash them in a combination of regular detergent and a laundry additive made for body odor removal—Air dry in the sun for best results.
I’ve tried countless ways of removing body odor from my baseball hats and stinky clothes. Whether it’s a hat I’ve worn too long in the summer, gym clothes that sit for a week before washing, or wet camping clothes left in a bag for the weekend, I feel like I’m constantly battling some kind of smell.
Of all the methods I’ve tried, only one works reliably every time!
Step-By-Step Guide to Removing Odor From Gym Clothes and Hats.
Step One. Fill up a bucket a little over 1/2 way with HOT tap water.
Step Two. Mix in 1-1.5 scoops of OxiClean Laundry & Home Sanitizer.
Step Three. Drop your dirty clothes and hats in the bucket. Agitate the clothes in the bucket until they are thoroughly soaked through. Be careful. The water is hot!
Step Four. Soak for a minimum of 6 hours. For best results, soak for 8 or more hours. Every 1-2 hours, agitate the clothes in the bucket. Don’t skip this step, I believe the soaking is the most important part of the whole process!
Step Five. Set your washing machine for “colors.” If you have an extended soak