Just washed, but the T-shirt already smells. Why does body odor linger on clothes?

The phenomenon where freshly washed clothes very quickly start smelling unpleasant again even has specific names: "permastink" and "odor rebloom." As Tegesspiegel writes, the main culprits are microorganisms, or more precisely, the volatile substances they release.

Microorganisms living on the skin get onto the fabric along with sweat and skin oil. There, they break down fats and proteins, forming volatile substances. Some of these are recognized by the human nose even in extremely small concentrations.

Synthetics – a haven for odors

Polyester, from which a significant portion of sports clothing is made, is particularly challenging. The reason is that the surface of polyester fibers is similar to fat in its properties. It binds odor molecules, which are released from within the plastic only at temperatures of 60 degrees. Additionally, they attract sebum. Bacteria of the genus Micrococcus thrive especially well on this fatty film, creating a strong unpleasant stench.

However, conditions for them are much worse on cotton. Its fibers absorb water well, swell during washing, and are therefore easier to clean. At the same time, cotton needs to be dried quickly, as microorganisms actively multiply again in damp fabric.

Wool is an interesting case. It can also harbor many bacteria, but the stench is less noticeable. The trick is that the fiber structure is capable of trapping odorous substances inside.

The washing machine can also be a source of odor

Everything that smells goes into the washing machine — but that's often where the real problems begin. Low temperatures help save electricity and preserve fabric, but they don't destroy all microorganisms. Moreover, during washing, they can transfer from one item to another along with organic contaminants.

Bacteria feel especially good in the rubber door seal and in the detergent dispenser. Biofilms form there — slimy structures that protect microorganisms from water and chemicals. The best way to combat this is a monthly preventive wash at a high temperature.

If clothes cannot be washed at 60 degrees, researchers recommend products with oxygen bleach ("active oxygen"). They can be effective at lower temperatures too. Hydrogen peroxide (three percent) has the same principle of action; it can be poured into the main wash compartment when water is flowing in.

Another promising approach is detergents with deoxyribonuclease (DNase). This enzyme breaks down the long DNA strands that help hold biofilm together, thereby facilitating the removal of bacterial plaque from the fabric. However, products with DNase are still quite rare.

Павялічыць

More powder doesn't mean cleaner

Overdosing detergent can have the opposite effect. If it's not rinsed out properly, residues remain in the fabric and create additional conditions for microorganisms.

It's a similar story with fabric softener: it masks the odor with fragrance, but especially on synthetic fabrics, it can leave a film that traps grease and dirt. The only advantage of softeners is that they often have a slightly acidic environment and neutralize alkaline detergent residues in the laundry. Instead, a little vinegar or citric acid can be added to the rinse compartment.

Finally, the number of bacteria itself does not determine whether the washing machine will smell. Studies show that many microorganisms also live in machines without unpleasant odors. What matters more is which specific species make up this community: some create the stench, while others can compete with them.

So, the freshness of laundry is not just a matter of temperature and detergent quantity. The material of the clothing, drying speed, rinsing, and the condition of the washing machine itself are all important. And if someone stubbornly doesn't notice the unpleasant smell of their T-shirt, the reason might even be genetic.

For example, according to one study, more than 20% of people lack certain gene variants necessary for perceiving some fatty acids with the smell of old sweat. Therefore, they perceive certain odors much weaker or not at all. Whether such genetic insensitivity exists specifically for the smell of stale clothes has not yet been proven.

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