Hiking over mountains can be a sweaty affair, especially in the summer when the waterworks can turn on, even after the first few steps!
Luckily for hikers everywhere, modern fabrics such as polyester and merino wool are better than ever at wicking away sweat from our bodies. Keeping us cool when it’s hot and dry when it´s not. One of the unfortunate traits of these fabrics is that after several uses they can start to hold body odor, long before the lifetime of the garment has passed.
There´s nothing worse than owning an expensive piece of hiking clothing that continues to smell, even after several washes, But fear not! There’s no need to feel insecure about smells or throw your favorite top out. We have written this blog to help you to revive those stinky clothes and get you back out into nature.
It´s time to start breathing in the crisp mountain air, and not your stinky baselayer.
Why Do Hiking Clothes Smell Bad
When hiking, our heart rates rise, along with our body temperature. Sweating is our body’s natural cooling system and helps to regulate temperatures. Keeping our body at a surprising level temperature, even in fairly extreme temperatures.
Parts of our body with the most sweat glands, such as our armpits and soles of our feet are usually the first to start sweating and often sweat the most. These parts are unsurprisingly the most common areas for bad odors in our clothing.
Sweaty hiking clothes can start to smell bad due to the buildup of bacteria and other microorganisms that thrive in warm, moist environments like sweaty clothes. When you sweat, the moisture in your clothing provides a perfect breeding ground for these microorganisms to grow and multiply.
As they feed on the sweat and oils in the fabric, they produce waste products that can give off a strong, unpleasant odor. This is why even after washing your hiking clothes, they may still retain a lingering odor.
Additionally, synthetic fabrics commonly used in hiking clothes can also contribute to the odor. These fabrics are often made from petroleum-based materials that do not breathe as well as natural fibers, leading to a buildup of moisture and bacteria that can cause odor.
How To Remove Odors From Your Hiking Clothes
Removing odor from stinky clothing can be a real challenge, but not impossible. In fact, with a little bit of attention and some knowlege, you can get your baselayers, coats, backpacks and socks smelling box fresh in no time!
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get rid of that unpleasant smell:
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can effectively remove odors from clothing. Using vinegar is by far our most tried and tested method for removing odors. _Many stinky tops, hats, socks, and even backpacks have been saved by this simple method.
To remove odors from your hiking clothes (or any clothes) using vinegar follow the below steps:
- Fill a bucket or sink with enough water to submerge the clothing completely.
- Add one cup of white vinegar for every gallon of water in the bucket or sink.
- Submerge the clothing in the vinegar solution and soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- After soaking, remove the clothing from the vinegar solution and wring out excess water.
- Wash the clothing in the washing machine as you normally would, using detergent and a cold water setting.
- Once the cycle is complete, hang the clothing to dry in a well-ventilated area.
Vinegar is safe to use on most fabrics, but it’s always a good idea to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the clothing first to make sure there are no adverse reactions. Additionally, avoid using vinegar on delicate fabrics like silk or wool, as it may damage them.
Benefits Of Using Vinegar To Clean Hiking Clothing and Gear
- Natural and non-toxic: Vinegar is a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent that is safe for the environment and your health.
- Deodorizing properties: Vinegar is a great deodorizer that can help remove unpleasant odors from hiking clothes and gear, which is especially important after a long hike or camping trip.
- Kills bacteria: Vinegar has antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria and prevent the growth of mold and mildew on your gear.
- Effective on tough stains: Vinegar can be effective in removing tough stains, such as sweat or mud stains, from hiking clothing and gear.
- Versatile: Vinegar can be used in a variety of ways to clean hiking clothing and gear, such as soaking, adding to the washing machine, or even making a solution to clean gear.
- Inexpensive: Vinegar is an inexpensive alternative to expensive specialty cleaning products for hiking gear.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a great natural deodorizer that can help remove odors from clothing. Here’s how to use it:
- Fill a sink or basin with enough water to cover the clothing.
- Add one cup of baking soda to the water and stir until it dissolves.
- Add the stinky clothing to the baking soda solution and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- After soaking, remove the clothing and wring out the excess water.
- Wash the clothing in the washing machine using your usual detergent and a cold water setting.
- Hang the clothing to dry in a well-ventilated area.
Baking soda is safe to use on most fabrics, but it’s a good idea to test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the clothing first to make sure there are no adverse reactions. It’s also important to note that baking soda may not completely remove very strong or stubborn odors, so you may need to repeat the process or try a different method.
Benefits of using Baking Soda To Clean Hiking Clothing and Gear
- Natural and safe: Baking soda is a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent that is safe for most fabrics.
- Deodorizing properties: Baking soda is a great deodorizer that can help remove unpleasant odors from clothes.
- Inexpensive: Baking soda is an inexpensive alternative to expensive laundry detergents or other cleaning products.
- Versatile: Baking soda can be used in a variety of ways to clean clothes, such as soaking, adding to the washing machine, or even making a paste for stain removal.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is a natural cleaner and deodorizer, it is an effective way to remove odors from clothing. What´s more, it leaves your clothes smelling lemon fresh! What´s not to like?
When life gives you lemons, give this method a squeeze!
- Fill a sink or basin with enough water to submerge the clothing completely.
- Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. You can also add a few drops of lemon essential oil for an extra boost of freshness.
- Add the smelly clothing to the lemon water and let it soak for 30 minutes to an hour.
- After soaking, remove the clothing and rinse it with cold water to remove any remaining lemon juice.
- Wash the clothing, as usual, using your favorite detergent and cold water.
- Hang the clothing to dry in a well-ventilated area.
The citric acid in lemon juice helps to break down and neutralize odor-causing bacteria, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean. Lemon juice is also safe for most fabrics, but it’s always a good idea to test it on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage.
Benefits of using Baking Soda To Clean Hiking Clothing and Gear
- Natural and non-toxic: Lemon juice is a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent that is safe for the environment and your health.
- Deodorizing properties: Lemon juice is a great deodorizer that can help remove unpleasant odors from hiking clothes and gear, which is especially important after a long hike or camping trip.
- Natural bleaching agent: Lemon juice contains natural bleaching agents that can help remove stains and brighten fabrics without the use of harsh chemicals.
- Antimicrobial properties: Lemon juice has antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria and prevent the growth of mold and mildew on your gear.
- Versatile: Lemon juice can be used in a variety of ways to clean hiking clothing and gear, such as soaking, adding to the washing machine, or even making a solution to clean gear.
- Inexpensive: Lemon juice is an inexpensive alternative to expensive specialty cleaning products for hiking gear.
Odor Eliminator Spray
There are many odor-eliminator sprays available on the market that can help remove odors from clothing.
Using an odor-eliminator spray on clothes is a quick and easy way to refresh and remove unpleasant odors.
Here’s how you can use it:
- Choose an odor-eliminator spray that is safe for use on the type of clothing you wish to use it on. Read the label and follow the instructions carefully.
- Hang the clothing item on a hanger or lay it flat on a clean surface.
- Shake the spray bottle well and hold it about 6 inches away from the clothing item.
- Spray the odor eliminator spray evenly over the entire surface of the clothing item. Make sure to target areas where odors tend to linger, such as underarms, collars, and cuffs.
- Allow the clothing item to air dry completely before wearing, storing, or washing.
- If the odor persists after the first application, repeat the process until the odor is eliminated.
Odor eliminator sprays are a convenient and effective way to freshen up clothes between washings or to remove stubborn odors from clothes that are difficult to wash, such as wool or silk. However, it’s important to note that some sprays may contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin or cause discoloration or damage to certain fabrics, so it’s always a good idea to test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Sunlight
Using natural sunlight is an effective and natural way to remove odors from hiking clothes.
To shed some light on how to complete this method, read on…
- Hang your smelly clothing items outside in direct sunlight.
- Make sure to hang the clothes in a place where they can get plenty of sunlight, such as a clothesline or drying rack.
- Leave the clothes to dry in the sunlight for several hours, ideally between 4-6 hours.
- The UV rays from the sun will help to kill bacteria and neutralize odors, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
- After the clothes have been exposed to the sun, shake them out to remove any residual odors.
- Wash the clothes, as usual, using your favorite detergent and cold water.
Using natural sunlight is a great alternative to using harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances to remove odors from clothes. It’s also a great way to save energy and money by reducing your reliance on electricity for drying clothes. However, it’s important to note that sunlight may not be suitable for all types of fabrics, as some fabrics may fade or become damaged in direct sunlight. Always check the care label on your clothing items before exposing them to sunlight, and avoid leaving them in direct sunlight for extended periods.
Freezing
Using freezing is an easy and effective way to remove odors from clothes.
The freezing process helps to kill the bacteria that cause odor, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean. Freezing is particularly effective for clothes that can’t be washed in hot water or for odors that are difficult to remove using other methods.
However, it’s important to note that freezing may not work for all types of odors or fabrics, and it may not be suitable for clothes with delicate embellishments or decorations. Additionally, while freezing can remove odor, it does not clean the clothes or remove stains, so it’s important to wash the clothes as usual after freezing.
To remove odors by freezing, follow the steps below:
- Place your smelly clothing items in a plastic bag, making sure to seal them tightly.
- Put the bag in the freezer and leave it there for at least 2-3 hours. You can also leave it overnight if necessary.
- Freezing helps to kill the bacteria that cause odors, leaving your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
- After the clothes have been in the freezer, remove them and let them thaw for a few minutes.
- Wash the clothes, as usual, using your favorite detergent and cold water.
Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets can be a useful tool in removing odor from hiking clothes. They work by neutralizing unpleasant odors and leaving a fresh scent behind.
To use dryer sheets, simply add one or two sheets to your dryer along with your clothes and run the dryer as usual. The heat from the dryer will activate the scent and release it into your clothes. Please be careful as not all clothes can be tumble dried. Always check the label!
Dryer sheets are particularly effective in removing odors caused by sweat. However, if the smell is very strong, additional steps may be necessary. Such as pre-treating the clothes with a specialized odor remover (one of the steps above) or using a stronger laundry detergent.
Additionally, dryer sheets can also be used to freshen up clothes that have been stored away for a while by placing a sheet or two in with the clothes in the storage container. Soring your hiking clothes with a dryer sheet in the cupboard or drawer will ensure that they smell fresh for their next outing!
In Conclusion
Hiking clothes can accumulate bad odors due to the buildup of bacteria and microorganisms that thrive in warm, moist environments like sweaty clothes.
Fortunately, there are ways to remove odors from hiking clothes, such as the methods listed above. Vinegar is our top method as it’s a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent that can kill bacteria and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If you don’t have vinegar, baking soda is a great natural deodorizer that can help remove odors from clothing.
These methods are safe to use on most fabrics and are cost-effective.
Don’t let stinky clothes stop you from enjoying nature, use these tips to revive your hiking clothes and get back out there!
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Written With Help From
American Society for Microbiology