Sometimes you diligently wash your clothes, rinse and dry as usual. Then to your horror, your clothes are smelling sweat!
Surely, your effort at cleaning them couldn’t all have gone to waste. If you’ve had this sort of experience, it’s not your fault. Most probably, you unknowingly used a detergent not formulated for removing sweat odor.
Such detergents contain additives capable of dissolving protein-based stains and odors like those found in urine.
Read on to discover the best of these sweat and body odor-removing detergents. Using them will expunge all sweat without leaving any lingering odor on your clothes.
The best laundry detergents to remove sweat and body odor are specifically designed to break down body secretions such as sweat. To do this, the detergents contain enzymes that digest these chemicals and kill odor bacteria, releasing sweat stains and odor from the clothes.
Best Laundry Detergents to Remove Sweat and Body Odor
Below is a short list of my top three favorites. Feel free to keep reading for more details and options throughout the rest of this list.
1. HEX Performance Advanced Laundry Detergent
- Light and fresh: the unique, hex molecule eliminates everyday sweat, stink, stains, and grime from your laundry, leaving it cleaner than ever with a light, fresh fragrance that doesn’t linger, all without any harmful dyes or fillers
- Formula: your detergent shouldn’t harm your clothes or the environment; That’S why hex is carefully engineered to be and biodegradable with no dyes, no fillers, harsh perfumes, or phosphates
- Light, fresh scent that smells great but doesn’t linger and contains no dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, or phosphates
- Cleans on the nanoscale to eliminate grime & sweat, protecting each fiber to keep workout clothes and all laundry at peak performance
If you are looking for a renowned brand to clear sweat and odor fast, this is it.
The Hex Performance Advanced Laundry Detergent is formulated to actually remove the sweat odor. This is, in contrast, to some detergents that merely mask the odor by using fragrance encapsulants. This causes a recurrence of the problem once the effect of the laundry detergent wears out.
HEX Performance cuts through the sweat soil, and the odor-causing bacteria effectively obliterates them.
This is all thanks to an array of organic surfactants and enzymes in its formulation. But that is not all. It is eco-friendly and EPA safer choice certified. This means it is free from inorganic chemicals, additives such as fillers, phosphates, and optical brighteners.
If you’re having trouble with removing odor from your sportswear or any clothes, this is without a doubt a must-have detergent.
2. NO SWEAT Liquid Sports Detergent
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No sweat lives up to its name. If you’re facing challenges removing sweat odor from your jogging clothes, gym clothes, or simply any clothes from sweaty activity, fret no more. No sweat plucks out the sweat soil and the body odor with a lot of ease compared to other detergents.
This is all due to its powerful combination of ingredients in its formulation called Odor Lift, which binds to organic protein secretions in the sweet. As if that is not enough, No Sweat Laundry Detergent also kills the odor microorganism ensuring odor problem doesn’t persist in washed clothes.
Although packed in a 32oz bottle, this power is great at washing any sweat garment; socks, sweat-soaked T-shirts, or underpants. But the best part is its heavy-duty concentration, which means you only put a little amount for the usual load.
And when it comes to versatility, few detergents come even close to No Sweat Laundry HE. Whether you use it with standard washing machines or HE washing ones, the result is a splendid wash that smells fresh without any sweat.
3. Tide PODS Febreze Odor Defense
What is great with PODS is their convenience since they save you the trouble of detergent measurements. And what better than to have a sweat odor removing detergent in pods? That can only mean easy tasks of removing sweat, soil, and body odors.
Tide pods Febreze is packed with 61 pods in one pack, all of which can give you many loads of sweat washes. Moreover, these pods pack a 6 times power punch, giving them the ability to stamp their authority over sweat and body odor.
This all results from their 4-in-1 technology, which combines four sweat and odor-crushing abilities. This includes normal detergent, stain removal, color protection, and odor defense attributes, all for one price.
And when it comes to clearing suds, their innovative technology, Smart Suds ™, ensures they do not come in the way of removing sweat and body odor. The PODS are just what anyone battling sweat odor problems would wish for.
4. OxiClean Odor Blasters Laundry Booster
- One 50 fl oz bottle of OxiClean Odor Blasters Odor and Stain Remover laundry booster liquid to get out tough stains and stubborn smells
- Oxygen-based, water-activated laundry booster gets out tough dirt, persistent spots and set-in stains, plus eliminates sweat and body odors
- Liquid laundry booster works with regular detergent in HE or standard washers as a laundry stain remover and odor neutralizer for machine-washable clothing, sheets, towels, workout clothes, shoes, team uniforms, and pet bedding
- Tough on stains yet gentle on fabric, this chlorine-free, color-safe stain cleaner formula removes odors and stains to help keep the clothes you love looking their best
- Mix OxiClean Odor Blasters Odor & Stain Remover liquid with water as a laundry presoak, use to pretreat tough stains, or pour this laundry detergent booster into dispenser or washer drum along with your regular detergent, following label directions
Most standard laundry detergents can remove sweat and body odor if they are supercharged with a laundry booster. And that’s where OxiClean odor blaster comes in. If you’re looking for a laundry booster that ‘turbo-charges’ your laundry detergent to blast sweat and body odor fast, look no further.
Just as its name suggests, the Oxiclean Odor Blaster dissolves sweat and body odor with finality. Whether you use it as pretreatment or use it in combination with regular detergent, the results will still be excellent.
The odor blaster comes in an ergonomic 50oz pack that is sufficient for several loads, whether you use it for one person or for family clothes. And to crown it all, it is color-safe, chlorine-free, and safe for use on all washing machines.
For cleaning all those musty socks, smelly towels, sweat smelling sports suits, do not look past this laundry booster.
5. WIN Active Wear Laundry Detergent
Sports activities are a common contributor to sweating and body odor. So if you like hitting the jogging trail or the gym, this detergent is formulated for your laundry needs. Win Activewear Detergent is formulated to penetrate through the synthetic sportswear fibers to flush out the sweat-producing bacteria.
But nonetheless, the active ingredients are non-selective and combat sweat in any cloth fabric type, whether synthetic or natural. Therefore, however the clothes get their sweat, WIN Activewear will penetrate and flash them out.
With this kind of formulation, for heavy sweat and odor from sports activities, the detergent can surely make short work of ordinary sweat and odor. Plus, while it may appear pricey, you gain more in savings from repeat washes, which can cost more in detergent cost.
6. Method Laundry Detergent Free+Clear
Method Laundry Free+Clear stands toe to toe with most sweat and odor-removing detergents. This detergent is formulated mainly from plant extract, making it one of the most organic frontline sweat and odor removers.
This is all thanks to its cutting-edge concentrated 3-in-1 cleaning power that penetrates deeper into the sweat molecules and disintegrates its formula. And courtesy of its high density in concentration, a 53.5 oz gives you 66 loads, which is a great bang for your buck.
And when it comes to ethical production, Method Free+clear Detergent is precisely what it implies. It is cruelty-free and devoid of other inorganic additives. That means that all their tests have not violated human or animal rights, and it is not formulated with fragrances, dyes, or other inorganic contaminants.
All this shows a product you can use with a clear conscience as you clear sweat and odor troubles from your clothes.
7. Out Prowash Work Wear Odor Eliminator
Whether you work on a construction site, do pizza delivery work, or in a more serene, less sweaty job, Out Prowash Work Wear Odor Eliminator has you covered.
It is formulated to clear sweat on all workwear, be it from light sweating activities to heavy-duty sweating ones. This means from office wear to sportswear and anything else in between.
The unique aspect of OUT Prowash work wear is that it manages to lift out the sweat without pulverizing the clothes fabric. This makes it one of the gentle detergents on most fabrics; cotton, spandex, nylon, wicking, lycra, and others.
As for versatility, it is one of the most adaptable detergents for sweat and odor removal. You can use it on all types of washing machines with excellent results. Be they top loaders, frontloaders, standard or HE washers; You can trust OUT Prowash to stamp out the sweat and odor from your clothes.
8. Sweat X Sport Laundry Detergent
- KEEP YOUR ACTIVEWARE ACTIVE: Specially formulated high-performance detergent that uses NANOVASIVE technology to exfoliate stains and sweat known to cause nasty smells in activewear.
- RESTORE FABRIC PERFORMANCE: Revitalize your training gear, including moisture-wicking, compression, and breathable textiles, so you’ll confidently step into each workout.
- GET THE FUNK OUT: Just one cap of our detergent in your wash is all you need to remove tough stains like mud, grass, baseball clay, wine, pet food, or baby food.
This is one of those detergents that can be described as life-changing. And that is for a good reason. Based on its raving reviews on Amazon, it seems the Sweat X Sport Laundry Detergent has changed most peoples’ views on sweat odor-fighting detergents.
While designed for sweat-wicking activewear, it can stamp out sweat and sweat odor from all fabric types. This odor punching power comes from their innovative Nanovasive ™ technology that extinguishes all sweat, soil, and smells from clothes.
Moreover, not only does the detergent remove sweat and stench, but it also restores the clothes’ fabric to their original breathability, compression, and wicking abilities. Clearly, whether you are a sports person or you’re just sweaty in your daily activities, this is a detergent you cannot miss in your laundry.
Furthermore, it is a heavy-duty detergent, meaning you only need to use a small amount, enabling you to get more loads than other soaps and save money on frequent purchases. As a versatile detergent, you can use it for pretreating clothes, direct laundry, and use it on standard washing machines or HE washing machines and expect incredible results.
9. Nathan Sports Wash Detergent
- DETERGENT FOR WORKOUT CLOTHES: Mud, sweat and grime be gone with our Power Wash Performance Detergent! Restore well-worn workout gear to its original performance with the sports detergent that blasts the stink out
- ODOR & STAIN ELIMINATOR: Our new and improved scent-free formula removes the filthy layer of grime where germs live, breed, and cause funky smells. Once this residue is removed, the technical fabric in your workout clothes will perform as if brand new
- WORKS ON EQUIPMENT: Effective cleaner on sport gloves, protective pads, braces and other equipment
- NON-TOXIC & EASY TO USE: Best of all, it’s all natural, non-toxic, pH neutral and is tough on stains. Now with a new cap and spout for less mess and easier function
- INSPIRED BY THE JOURNEY: Nathan’s collection of running essentials delivers on what matters most through intuitive design, comfort, quality, and smart storage, to help runners enhance and improve their performance, mile after mile and year after year
This is another renowned sweat and odor detergent. The strong point of Nathan Sport Wash is its all-organic formulation. This makes it one of the most effective eco-friendly, sweat odor-removing detergents that can restore both sports and non-sport wear.
Nathan sports wash gets its oomph from its neutral PH formulation, which is formulated to target the odor bacteria breeding grimy, sweat layer from where the odor comes. And that is not all. Its formulation is devoid of any bleach, fabric softeners, or fragrances.
So, it’s safe for use on all family clothes, whether from small children to adults, without the risk of triggering allergic reactions. And like most top urine and odor-removing detergents, you can use it on both standards or the HE washing machines.
Plus, it’s non-selective and gentle on most fabric types. From washing sports gloves, protective pads, braces, or any equipment that may absorb sweat, this detergent is trustable to deliver great results. This detergent is a permanent ally for anyone wishing to stamp out sweat, funk, and musty smells from their life.
10. Vapor Fresh Laundry Detergent Powder
- DESIGNED FOR GYM CLOTHES, PERFECT FOR ALL LAUNDRY. Cleans everything, so it’s the only laundry detergent you need if you lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
- ECO FRIENDLY AND BIODEGRADABLE – By switching from warm water to cold water washes, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 90% thanks to advanced cold water enzymes and biodegradable cleaning agents.
- SAFE FOR SENSITIVE SKIN – Hypoallergenic formulation that does not contain fragrances, dyes, brighteners or softeners.
Vapor Fresh Laundry Powder is a detergent you can proudly pick from a detergent aisle in any convenience store. That is, if you know its sweat and odor-cleaning power. In its 3.5-pound pack lies a plethora of ingredients such as enzymes, biodegradable nonionic surfactants, sodium percarbonate, and dispersants, among others.
All of these equip vapor fresh laundry detergent powder with killer punches that even the toughest sweat stain and odor cannot withstand. And owing to its high-density concentration, this pack can shell out approximately a hundred loads.
With this huge number of loads, clearly, this is a cost-effective laundry detergent. Furthermore, its formulation is devoid of any softeners, dyes, or fragrances. So if you’re looking for a truly hypoallergenic detergent, this is it.
And when it comes to protecting and extending the useful life of clothes, few detergents can beat it. This is because it is free from any additives that clog the pores of especially sports fabrics reducing its wicking power.
Without a doubt, this is detergent for both laundry-washing veterans and newbies alike. In a nutshell, it is for anyone craving a top-notch sweat and odor eliminator detergent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do My Clothes Smell Sweet Even After Washing?
Over time sweat soil gets ingrained deeper into the clothes fiber, creating a breeding ground for sweat bacteria. So if you wash lightly or wash with non-effective laundry detergents, clothes will continue to produce sweat odors.
To prevent this from happening, use detergents formulated explicitly for sweat and odor removal. Such detergents are formulated with heavy-duty enzymes and surfactants to completely obliterate the sweat and odor pockets. Luckily, any of the detergents we’ve reviewed above can help you stop this problem.
How Can I Remove Armpit Sweat Stains From My Shirt?
To remove underarm stains from your garment, first, make a solution of a cup of a high-density enzyme detergent in a gallon of cold water. Next, spread a few drops of a high-density stain remover onto the stain and briefly rub the stained part against itself. Then soak the stained part in the stain remover solution and wait for one hour before washing normally.
Can I Use Homemade Solutions to Remove Sweat Odor From Clothes?
It is possible to make sweat-removing cleaning agents at home. Common agents used include making a solution of either vinegar, baking soda, or borax in water. You can then pre-soak your sweaty clothes with it before washing. Optionally, you can spray vodka on the smelling parts.
However, keep in mind most homemade solutions may not be as effective as store-bought ones for obvious reasons. A lot of research, ingredients, and regulation goes into their formulation and manufacture, which obviously, as an individual, you do not have the capacity.
I’m an expert wardrobe organizer and a bit of a clean freak. I created this website and its YouTube channel to share practical guides about laundry and organizing. My teachings have been featured in multiple large news publications, and I’ve self-published two wardrobe organizing books and an entire course on the subject.
