Home → Blog → Resources → How to Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh – Clothing Odor Control
Keeping your clothes feeling and smelling fresh means tackling the sources of unpleasant odors, storing them properly, buying the right types of clothing, and using advanced odor-control textile technologies.
This article examines what causes bad smells in clothing, why bacteria are responsible for many of your woes, and how to keep your clothing smelling good when storing or wearing it. We also provide practical tips and explain the science behind some of the most innovative odor-beating solutions out there.
The main causes of bad smells in clothing are odor-causing bacteria and odorous molecules like sulphur.
Let’s start with bacteria. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, such as the armpits and necklines of clothing. Our sweat and skin cells provide bacteria with all the nutrition they need to multiply. As they break down the nutrients in our sweat, they release unpleasant by-products as part of the metabolic process. The more bacteria there are, the worse the smells tend to be. If you don’t deal with them properly, bacteria can cause persistent odors.
Various factors contribute to the spread of bacteria and unpleasant odors. Understanding these factors can help you tackle the problem and keep your garments fresh and clean.
Perspiration is one of the primary culprits behind smelly clothes. When we perspire, bacteria on our skin break down the proteins and lipids in our sweat, resulting in body odor. This odor can transfer onto clothes, especially in areas close to the skin and prone to heavy sweating, such as the armpits and collars.
Not washing your clothes enough can lead to dirt, oils, and bacteria build-up. This accumulation causes clothes to develop a musty or stale smell. However, you can tackle these odors while reducing your laundry load by using Polygiene StayFresh or Polygiene OdorCrunch2.0 solutions.
If you store clothes in damp environments or leave them wet for prolonged periods, they will develop a moldy odor. Mold thrives in damp conditions and can grow on fabrics, resulting in a nasty smell.
Bacteria are not responsible for all odors. Some smells are environmental odors. Clothes absorb plenty of environmental odors. But two of the biggest culprits are smoke and cooking odors. Smoking or proximity to smoke (e.g., being beside a campfire or barbecue) causes clothes to smell. Tobacco smoke, in particular, has a strong, persistent smell that is difficult to eliminate. Certain foods, such as spices, onions, and garlic, can leave lingering smells on clothes. Likewise, cooking can also transfer odors from the kitchen to garments.
If you want to keep clothes smelling good while in storage, follow these handy tips:
Clean and dry all garments before storing them. Dirt, stains, or moisture can lead to odors and damage over time.
Store clothes in air-tight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to prevent dust, insects, and moisture from reaching them. This helps maintain their freshness.
Avoid plastic bags for long-term storage, as they trap moisture and lead to a musty smell. Breathable fabric or garment bags are a better option for clothing freshness.
Store your clothes in a cool, dry, and dark space. High humidity and extreme temperature fluctuations can promote mold growth, mildew, and odors.
Air out stored clothes regularly. Allow them to breathe and get fresh air to prevent mustiness.
Storm OdorCrunch spray combats the spread of bacteria and keeps your clothes smelling fresh while in storage.
If you are looking to keep your everyday clothes fresh and odor-free, consider these top tips:
Choose fabrics that offer good air circulation, such as cotton, linen, or bamboo. These materials help prevent the build-up of moisture and odors, and perform better than synthetic fabrics that often trap sweat and bacteria.
Refresh your clothes by hanging them in a well-ventilated area when you’re not wearing them. This allows any trapped odors to dissipate and helps prevent moisture build-up. It is particularly effective when applied to clothing with built-in Polygiene StayFresh protection.
Though it may be tempting to mask odors with heavy perfumes or colognes, use them sparingly. Fragrances can mix with natural body odors, resulting in an overpowering scent.
If you notice a particular area on your clothes smells, spot clean it with a mild detergent or fabric freshener. You can even whip up a mild vinegar solution. This can help address localized odors quickly.
Polygiene StayFresh and Polygiene OdorCrunch2.0 solutions are designed to keep your clothes smelling good while reducing the need for washing. That means you reduce your energy and water consumption and benefit from fresher-for-longer apparel.
If you want to freshen up your clothes without washing them, consider the following methods:
Hang the clothes outside on a clothesline or hanger in a well-ventilated area. Fresh air and sunlight can help eliminate odors naturally.
Use a garment steamer to remove wrinkles and freshen up the fabric. The steam can help neutralize odors and give clothes a refreshed appearance.
Use fabric fresheners or odor-neutralizing sprays specifically designed for clothes. Lightly mist the garments, keeping a suitable distance, and allow them to air dry. These products can help mask odors temporarily.
Hang the clothes in a bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam from the shower can help freshen the clothes by reducing odors.
For clothes that are not washable or require delicate care, placing them in a sealed plastic bag and freezing them for a few hours can help kill odor-causing bacteria. Let them thaw at room temperature before wearing.
While these methods are effective in keeping your clothing smelling fresh, they are temporary solutions and not a substitute for regular washing.
Keeping clothes smelling good starts with good laundry habits. Follow these simple tips to remove unpleasant smells and prevent them from returning.
Overfilling the drum prevents clothes from moving freely, preventing proper washing and rinsing. This can mean sweat, dirt, and detergent residue are left behind, which contribute to unpleasant odors. Leave enough space for water and detergent to circulate properly.
Select the right cycle for the fabric you are washing and how dirty the clothes are. Heavily soiled or sweaty items may need a longer cycle, while delicate fabrics require gentler settings. Use the warmest temperature permitted by the care label to help fully remove body oils and tackle bacteria.
Follow the detergent packaging instructions, adjusting for load size and water hardness. Too much detergent can leave residue that traps odors, while too little may not clean clothes effectively. Make sure not to use detergent if you are washing clothes designed to wick moisture away from the skin.
Remove laundry quickly and avoid leaving it in the machine for too long. Dry it thoroughly to prevent damp and musty smells from developing.
While all fabrics have the potential to develop odors if not properly cared for, some materials are more prone to retaining and harboring smells than others. Avoid clothes that tend to hold onto odors by skipping the following materials.
It’s important to note that with the proper care, maintenance, and hygiene technology, even fabrics prone to odor retention can be kept fresh.
Polygiene StayFresh utilizes silver chloride, a salt naturally occurring in water and soil, to eliminate the bacteria responsible for bad odors. The silver ions present in the solution inhibit bacterial growth and provide protection for the entire lifespan of the garment. They work to tackle bacteria in three main ways:
That means your clothes stay fresher for longer, and you can wash them less frequently, reducing your energy and resource consumption for a performance-focused approach to clothing.
Polygiene OdorCrunch2.0 also tackles odors at the source. But instead of silver ion technology, it uses an innovative odor capture mechanism that traps the molecules responsible for unpleasant smells, locks them in, and prevents them from reaching the nose. When the fabric is washed, OdorCrunch2.0 releases the molecules and resets, so it can provide ongoing odor protection.
Like Polygiene StayFresh, it enables you to wash your clothes less frequently, has a positive environmental impact, and provides long-lasting 24/7 protection. It has also been optimised to protect traditionally tricky materials, such as 100% polyester, and features no heavy metals or PFAs. For maximum Freshness protection, you can combine Polygiene StayFresh and Polygiene OdorCrunch2.0 and integrate both solutions into your textiles.
You can find Polygiene clothing freshness technology in many well-known brands. Polygiene StayFresh is integrated into clothing products from Montane, M.M. LaFleur, GripGrab, and Maloja. Polygiene OdorCrunch2.0 has just been released and is being integrated into its first round of products as we speak. The previous iteration, Polygiene OdorCrunch, featured in apparel from brands like The North Face, Mos Mosh, Intersport, Forloh, and Intersport.
Generally, you should wash items that are worn close to the skin, such as underwear, socks, T-shirts, and base layers, after every wear. Clothes worn further from the skin can be washed after every three or four wears, or when they become noticeably dirty or smelly. However, how often you wash your clothes is a personal choice, and depends on how quickly they begin to smell. Freshness technologies can protect against unpleasant smells, extending the time clothes can go between washes.
Your clothes might still smell after washing if:
Yes, fabric softener can temporarily make clothes smell fresher because it features artificial fragrances. However, over time, sustained use can clog fibers and cause fabrics to retain smells. Similarly, fabric conditioner can affect moisture-wicking performance by leaving a waxy residue on the fibers.
Antibacterial odor protection technologies like Polygiene StayFresh and odor capture technologies like Polygiene OdorCrunch2.0 both keep clothes fresher for longer. For maximum freshness protection, the two technologies can be used together. Polygiene’s Freshness solutions ensure your clothes can go longer between washes, reducing energy, water, and detergent consumption, and saving users valuable time and money.
If you want to learn more about Polygiene odor-control solutions and their impact on product performance, the environment, and sustainable manufacturing, take a look at our Freshness Solutions page.
If you have any questions regarding Polygiene technologies, contact our experienced team.
Andreas Grevlind
Head of Digital Marketing & Brand
