You consider yourself a clean person, right?

You wash, shower or bath everyday, most times twice a day?

You clean your home regularly?

And, you wash your clothing?

 

So, why do your clothes sometimes have that just-not-so-fresh scent about them?

Well, it is a simple answer, and it may not be what you want to hear. 

It’s your body that is causing that lovely smell, and not because you’re unclean.

 

Bacteria clings to your clothes from the environment.

When it comes to perspiration, whether you are working out or just having a sticky-hot day, this gives the bacteria a chance survive, as it creates a damp warm environment. And, more so during a training session.

Certain fabrics hold the bacteria-carrying germs since they cannot be washed hot enough to destroy it. The biggest culprits are polyester and all synthetic fabrics.  Now, that poses a problem, right?  As the new-age workout clothing mostly are made from synthetic material.  They are good for the fast-drying and lightweight elements; however, they are not great fit once washed in very hot or at boiling temperatures.

They have gone back to drawing board to find a solution. Some have tried to make their garments more from organic cotton, but that, of course, pushes the prices up.  So, some smart Alec’s decided to look into other ways to fight the odour issue.

 

Nanosilver

Then they developed silver nanoparticles or nanosilver, which is able to kill bacteria as soon as it comes into contact with it.  Perfect!

Not so perfect?

Problem here is that nanosilver does not last on clothing, smells return. Then the question begs whether it’s just washing out in the washing machine, or also rubbing off on our skin.  Either way, it’s going to land up in the drain and out into the environment, and that could pose a problem for our carbon footprint.

They took the nanosilver environmental issue a step further, and exposed it to fish.  Well, sadly to say, they didn’t fair very well.

So, what else?

 

Triclosan

This chemical substance has been experimented on fabric, with the view to utilising its antimicrobial features.  But, there are just too many negatives to it, ranging from foetal interference to affecting fertility, as well as increased cancer risks and muscle function impairment.

Now, I’m wondering why they bothered at all to even try it for clothing manafacturing!

 

Organic is Best

While it can be a pricey endeavour, the more organic the fabric, the better, on more levels than one.  Pure cotton would be your first thought, but consider where the cotton came from, and how it was grown, as well as manufactured, before going on a shopping spree.

Take a look at these factors before purchasing cotton clothing:

  • Are the crops sprayed with harmful chemicals?
  • Is the soil cared for during harvesting?
  • Are the natural habitats conserved?
  • Do they preserve and care for the fibre to ensure quality?

If the manufacturer can answer YES to all these, then that’s pure organic cotton for you.

Organic cotton will significantly reduce the odours brought on by your bodily functions, and it can be washed hot.

 

How to naturally eliminate or reduce those foul odours?

We must sweat!

So, trying to stop your body from perspiring is ridiculous.  If you lead a healthy, clean lifestyle, through the food you eat, and the environmental reduction of toxins in the products you use, then your sweat will be near enough to odourless.

But, if all else fails, and you really cannot stop the bacteria permeating your clothing, then use an anti-detergent range to wash your clothing and any other fabric-based item in.

 

(FungiSolve is great! Hint Hint!)