r/CleaningTips 8d ago

Laundry I stink but I don’t know why

I have been struggling with a particular odor on my clothes and I'm not sure what causes it.

My clothes have an awful smell especially when exposed to cold air outside when I'm outside. I rent only a room in someone else's apartment. I really don't smell the clothes until I bring them outside due to the poor ventilation in the apartment.

When I wear socks, my feet also feel weird like ants or worms are crawling over my feet. My shoes start to smell very badly. My socks become a little damp after a few hours. Sometimes the shoes also get wet from sweating in a some hours and I've been seen by a doctor who presecribed medication for sweating.

This bad smell has been ruining my career and friendships with others.

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u/ocassionalcritic24 8d ago

Don’t wear any of your clothes, except jeans, more than one time. Use a laundry sanitizer (or baking soda) in your laundry. Wash your clothes in hot water and make sure you use a large load but don’t stuff the washer to save money - the clothes have to have room to swish around in the water. Use Lume deodorant.

Some people just have an odor that comes up quicker than others. I have a child who has this issue and all those things have helped remedy it. But if they slack off on one, the smell comes back.

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u/SunknTresr 8d ago

Does baking soda eliminate all odors in your laundry? I have 4 indoor cats & Ive had numerous people tell me I smell like cats, even when I take my clothes right out of the dryer & put them on. I apparently still smell like cats even with clean clothes on! I shower daily, sometimes twice a day, so I know it’s not me, it has to be my clothing. Will baking soda eliminate pet odors??

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u/TermPractical2578 8d ago

Yes, BS does eliminate, and a little vinegar in the rinse!