Why do my armpits smell when I wear polyester? (2023)

Why does polyester make my armpits stink?

Polyester is a non-polar fibre-meaning it repels water-which is why it dries quickly, but that also means it naturally attracts oil from our skin, which can lead to body odour, Abdul-Bari said.

Synthetic fibres traps sweat and bacteria in the spaces between the fibres. Therefore, synthetic fibres are not able to breakdown bacteria and this traps sweat and bacteria together inside the clothing, a combination that results in odor.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, but it works best in conjunction with detergent. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle to help get rid of soap build-up and odors. You can also try pre-soaking clothes in a vinegar-and-water solution before laundering.

The primary culprits are bacteria, sweat and body oils, which build up inside synthetic fabrics and cause a literal stink. In addition to subjecting gym apparel to large quantities of the above, the fabric they're made from is another odor contributor.

Polyester: Polyester is durable and water-resistant, but don't let these words fool you. Polyester doesn't absorb sweat; in fact, it might make you sweat even more. The moisture sits on your skin or gets pushed to your outer layer — the complete opposite effect you want from a sweat-blocking material.

Familiar fabrics such as cotton, linen, and bamboo are natural and they are breathable and breezy! While it may take natural fabrics a bit more time to dry, natural fibers don't hold on to smell like synthetic fibers do. This is because the fabric is breathable and lets moisture get away from the skin.

Smelly armpits occur when bacteria break down the otherwise odorless sweat on your skin. Some people sweat more than others and have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This excess sweating can lead to body odor.

Polyester clothes smell worse than cotton, following intensive exercise by their wearers, because bacteria that cause odor grow better on polyester, according to research. Freshly secreted sweat has little odor, because the long-chain fatty acids the axillaries secrete are too big to be volatile, says the first author.

The best way to prevent smelly armpits is to wash daily and after sweating. Using antiperspirant or deodorant and shaving the armpits can also help. Avoiding alcohol and certain foods, such as onions and garlic, will also help prevent smelly armpits in some cases.

As the sweat components break down, this can lead to unpleasant odors forming on your clothes. And, if you don't get rid of the sweat smell from your garments effectively, it can build up over time, resulting in a closet full of clothes that still smell of sweat even after washing.

How do you get rid of body odor permanently?

With the right techniques, you can get deodorant stains out of polyester without damaging the fabric at all. Here are some tips in order from the safest to the most extreme. The most gentle way to remove a deodorant stain is to try good old-fashioned detergent.

When it comes to making body odor worse, synthetic fabrics tend to trap odors at a greater rate than natural fabrics. Although many of these man-made fabrics, like polyester, are quick to wick moisture away from the skin and equally quick to dry, their construction can up the "stink" quotient.

After the 28-hour storage period, an independent panel of odor connoisseurs judged the polyester shirts to be noticeably more malodorous than the cotton-based shirts.

Cotton is a lot more breathable than polyester and will keep your body temperature lower in summer with air flowing on your skin. However, polyester is moisture-wicking and will keep you dry when you are sweating. Cotton is highly absorbent and will show sweat patches.

Polyester is made from plastic fibers. On the upside, it wicks moisture and dries quickly, but it tends to retain bad odors. The breathability varies depending on yarn size and whether it is a knit or weave, but in general, polyester should be avoided in hot weather.

Polyester is stronger than cotton, due to its chemical makeup, with a greater ability to stretch. Polyester is hydrophobic and for this reason, fabrics made with polyester don't absorb perspiration. Cotton on the other hand absorbs moisture. Cotton is more breathable than polyester and also extremely hypoallergenic.

How do you get Bo out of polyester?

White Vinegar

White vinegar is a powerful odor neutralizer and works wonders on underarm areas of fabrics. Fill your washing machine with water, then add 1/3 cup of white vinegar. Turn off the machine and let the garment soak for 20 minutes, then launder as usual.

Polyester clothing, like other manmade fibers are absorbed through your skin. As you are wearing polyester/plastic clothing the chemicals are absorbed by your skin.

Is polyester toxic? So, the straight forward answer is: yes. Polyester is a synthetic material which has many toxic chemicals embedded in it. Synthetic materials such as acrylic, nylon, and polyester are made from chemicals such as thermoplastic, which outgas plastic molecules whenever they are heated.

Polyester promotes odor-causing bacteria called Micrococci. Cotton does not. A study published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology shows that polyester apparel retains stink more than cotton clothing after a hard workout, because it is less absorbent and promotes odor-causing bacteria.

What causes the unpleasant smell is the bacteria that build up on your sweaty skin and react with sweat and oils to grow and multiply when sweat reacts with bacteria on the skin. These bacteria break down proteins and fatty acids, causing body odor in the process.

Armpit odor occurs when your sweat interacts with the bacteria on your skin, producing that unmistakable armpit smell — also known as B.O. The medical term for chronic, excessive armpit odor is bromhidrosis.

Most armpit detoxes use a homemade mask of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Some also include water to dilute the vinegar. Others use equal parts bentonite clay and coconut oil for a more soothing, hydrating mix that still has some antibacterial properties, thanks to the coconut oil.

Due to the tendency of the polyester fabric to snag and catch the clasps, it is crucial to turn the polyester clothes inside out before washing them. Turning it inside out before tossing it in the washing machine will help you to avoid any snags and bring damage to the garment.

Specifically treated, moisture-wicking breathable workout fabric, like polyester and nylon blends, however, can inconspicuously hide sweat lines—hence why some of the world's most popular sweat-wicking activewear are made with the material.

Set the wash cycle to normal and use a gentle laundry detergent. Because polyester is a synthetic material, high heat can break down the fibers and cause damage to your clothes. As a result, polyester should be washed using warm or cold water. Make sure to check your care label.

Can you smell your own stink?

It would be amazing if you could sniff yourself and immediately pick up on any emanating odors, but alas, life isn't so simple. According to Lifehacker, it can be quite difficult to detect your own body odors because the receptors in your nose shut down after smelling the same scent for too long.

Synthetics (Nylon/Polyester/Acrylic):

Nylon smells like plastic when burnt but can also can produce a celery-like smell; Acrylics burn with a strong, acrid, chemical smell. Polyester smells slightly sweet, also with a chemical odor.

Nylon is more durable and strong than polyester, that's why it's a popular material for ropes.

Natural fibres like cotton absorb moisture, including the smelly compounds produced by bacteria, which get trapped inside the fibres where they can't reach our noses. Synthetic fibres on the other hand, do not absorb moisture. Instead they attract oils.

Less body odor

When you remove hair under the armpits, it reduces trapped odor. A 2016 study involving men found that removing armpit hair by shaving significantly reduced axillary odor for the following 24 hours. Similar results were first found in a 1953 paper .

Hormone imbalances and body odor often go together. Dips in estrogen can trigger hot flashes and night sweats, meaning you simply sweat more, which in turn can result in more odor. This is also a time of life filled with high levels of anxiety or stress, which can make you sweat, too.

Apocrine bromhidrosis is the most common form of bromhidrosis in adults and is localised, usually to the armpits and/or anogenital area. Eccrine bromhidrosis presents as a generalised malodour, and may be associated with bad breath (halitosis), anogenital odour, and smelly urine.

Chances are it contains polyester, which means that funky smell isn't going to go away, according to a new University of Alberta study. Laundering experiments showed that odorants—smelly compounds like those in sweat—are more attracted to polyester than to other fabrics like cotton, and don't completely wash out.

Polyester clothes smell worse than cotton, following intensive exercise by their wearers, because bacteria that cause odor grow better on polyester, according to research. Freshly secreted sweat has little odor, because the long-chain fatty acids the axillaries secrete are too big to be volatile, says the first author.

Is cotton or polyester better?

Cotton is natural, breathable, absorbent, and sustainable. Polyester, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber that doesn't breathe well, repels water, and isn't sustainable.

How long are polyurethane fumes toxic? The toxic smell of polyurethane takes about five to seven days to decrease. However, you'll still notice a bit of the odor here and there for about three weeks in the case of water-based polyurethane and four weeks for oil-based poly.

Shower More Frequently

Infrequent showering can cause bacteria to build up on your skin. Shower at least once a day (or every morning and night) and scrub your extra-sweaty areas with a scent-free, antibacterial bath soap. Stay away from strongly scented soaps, which can make your armpits smell worse.

The best way to prevent smelly armpits is to wash daily and after sweating. Using antiperspirant or deodorant and shaving the armpits can also help. Avoiding alcohol and certain foods, such as onions and garlic, will also help prevent smelly armpits in some cases.

Cotton is the best fabric to protect against sweat because it helps keep your body cool. The Mayo Clinic recommends silk and wool as alternatives to cotton, too.

Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.

To dissipate the smell, don't respond by dumping in more detergent. Too much detergent means residue, and residue means trapped odors. Instead, add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle or 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle. You can also opt for one of the many sports detergents on the market.

Do you sweat more in cotton or polyester?

Cotton is a lot more breathable than polyester and will keep your body temperature lower in summer with air flowing on your skin. However, polyester is moisture-wicking and will keep you dry when you are sweating. Cotton is highly absorbent and will show sweat patches.