The Reason Polyester Clothes Get So Stinky

[@KristineVike]

I completely forgot to mention how polyester usually *either* wicks sweat to the other side, like in many types of sportswear, *or* lock the sweat against our bodies and making us feel like a sweaty mess, like in linings of jackets. It is the same mechanism of polyester not liking water though, just slightly different in execution!

[@Alias-Ignotum]

Could you please explain what influence what path will take place? Why in some cases I will be dry like in sportswear but will be all wet in jackets, if it’s the same polyester?

[@teru797]

How is it possible that clothing can remain stinky after wash? And how does the antimicrobial not work?

[@marklisica9098]

If you look at Walter Russell's Periodic Chart of The Elements he showed in 1920 the how each element marries each other only in the element music family octave and that others are not meant to be used as they show that they are not compatible meaning they are destructive. I saw other youtube videos you created and you inspired me as I am now changing slowly my clothing. More that life was not meant to be destructive, it is those that left out the creator that create destructive thinking it is right and we all cheer them on and I feel belief is the biggest threat to the earth and life. We need to think and ask the questions like you have. They all knew this as to dumb down the human race for power, but my question is then when you do dumb down everyone, then what, then when you have done that then there are no people nor life on the planet, then what. No one has looked at the cause to what effects it brings. I have mapped this every morning at 3am and it always shows the earth will be like the other non habitable planets, they will live under ground. How do we change this is my mission. Thank you for your sharing of your knowledge. You inspired me to make this a goal for me to quest the ions to reverse this. Never it is a problem, it is only a challenge for us to solve.

[@crystaltaylor138]

Yes! This is why I started sewing so I could wear linen.

[@LoveAndTruth-n7v]

Same!

[@simbelmyne7767]

Amen to that, I haven't been able to afford linen for clothes yet but let me tell you linen bedsheets are magnificent :D

[@Haiokbai]

I never understand why I had so much clothing but kept wearing the same few items. It’s because deep down as a human I KNEW those sweaters and blouses were polyester and bad material. This explains so much! Now that I’m getting rid of my toxic clothing I find that I love my clothes again .

[@Tvianne]

About 15 years ago I had a bunch of microfleece pjs. I stopped using them 'cause they started smelling bad like… after half an hour of wearing? Fresh from the shower, and they were clean! Never again. Thank you for the explanation! (I love your cat)

[@KristineVike]

It was so frustrating until I figured out the problem!

[@eyesofthegoddess2967]

Kristine, you are such a wealth of knowledge and your curiosity is wonderful. Please keep on working on these unusual facts and keep the great work in sewing your fabulous clothing, however difficult or simple, they are a joy to watch and I intend to replicate a few of your garments. Love from Canada

[@KristineVike]

Thank you! I hope I am not the only one who has been curious about this one time or other. 😂

[@verahabanera]

And here I blamed myself for so many years! I couldn't figure out why my clothes reeked so badly when I never heard anyone else complain. I guess I was trying to keep my cheap clothing long past its "expiration date". These days I'm able to invest in linen and wool that I can wear for years to come instead of trying to make an acrylic t-shirt last for a decade 😬

[@KristineVike]

I know the feeling! It is no fun struggling with this when you don't know why.

[@withallduerespect689]

How's wool? I'm thinking about trying it

[@verahabanera]

Wool is the best, for sure. It's definitely an investment, but if you get a good quality wool (that isn't blended with polyester), it'll stay good for a long time, and won't stink. Linen (again, good quality and not blended with polyester) is also really excellent. Significant cost, but you end up saving more buying one wool/linen shirt instead of five polyester.

[@withallduerespect689]

@@verahabanera oh wow. Sheesh polyester is just a big mess😭😭

[@ShanteRoxxane]

Yes and yes! I no longer purchase nylon and those other materials, only cotton, linen, and wool. I also have cotton shirts that I’ve owned for over 10 years. My oldest shirt I bought from the GAP in 2006. 100% cotton and always smells good after washing. Also, no thread pulling or holes anywhere. I think it’s worth paying more.

[@dawsie]

Well that explains why Dads underclothes started to smell oily, I finally checked their labels all of the ones that were pure Cotten are fine but the ones that were a mix they are the ones that I’m constantly having to pre soaked before washing. I now check all labels before buying only natural fibers are getting a full pass on the shopping list. I now have a whole laundry basket of clothes that need to be re-washed minus the offending items

[@KristineVike]

It is such a big case of... once you notice it, you just can't unsee it! 😬

[@ShanteRoxxane]

My rule of thumb is 100% for shirts. I know it’s harder with pants because elastics (spandex) help you get them on and off, especially if your hips are not narrow. Then you have socks 🧦 and other undergarments. So my rule for those is “is this a grade I’d be happy with?” I like ~95% and up. It’s harder with socks but I aim for at least 90% natural if I can. Although I won’t need to buy socks for the rest of my life with the collection I have.

[@elskersten-vandijk7227]

Amazing - you're right, polyester can get incredibly, uncleanably smelly but I never really wondered why... Thanks for this entertaining, interesting, well-researched video, love it! Edit: PS I've already shared this with several other people, I feel like everyone needs to know this.

[@KristineVike]

Thank you for watching and sharing it! It was really exciting to discover that there was actually research on it!

[@jezanne]

Very well done! Being a biologist in my professional life and a sewist/crocheter/knitter/ embroider and overall lover of everything textile as a hobby I learn a lot from this video.

[@zacharypastor8552]

Easy subscribe. I love the science, and you have a very concise speaking style i find very pleasing. People might tell you you're quiet, but as someone who's ideal earbud volume is 1, your volume very soothing.

[@soilmanted]

Great information. I have always been wondering about exactly why I hate polyester so much. I'd like to see a deep dive into what's going on with acrylic fibers too. I've always hated knit acrylic caps, hats, and socks, even more than polyester. I think Orlon is a brand name for acrylic clothing fibers but don't quote me on that. But I remember my parents buying Orlon socks for me and they stunk. I was horrified by the idea that they only conerned themselves with what the socks looked like; they never looked at the label to see what they were made from. In my teen years I began buying my own socks, I switched to cotton socks, and the stink got much less. I couldn't easily find cotton knit watch caps in clothing stores, they had only acrylic caps, so I hired a knitter to make me one.

[@janeteholmes]

Fascinating. I’d love to hear more about the shawl you’re wearing. It looks very cosy.

[@KristineVike]

It is a Sonntag gifted to me by a generous friend. Made using this pattern: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocheted-sonntag

[@azrani2023]

You have a fantastic way of explaining and speaking in general - I enjoyed listening to you a lot. Thanks!

[@Detman101]

I just went through the same. Made a cloak from polyester felt last night...washed it after cutting, sewing and forming. Wore it to work today for the first time, by the end of the workday...it smelled like I slept outside on it. Completely bewildering...I guess I better make another one from linen or cotton fabric. This is NOT going to work!

[@danceswithbadgers]

I found that, apart from the discomfort of wearing polyester baselayers due to overheating in it, I couldn't really get it clean even with 60° celcius washing. I could make that stuff stink bad enough to stun before I was out of the house. It's been wool next to skin for me for years. I don't use synthetic midlayers either, for the same reasons.

[@linr8260]

... well this sure explains why bras are the only thing in my wardrobe to have that problem. They're invariably synthetic, on top of being perfectly placed for that kind of sweat.

[@KristineVike]

Don’t I know the pain! Plus they are very difficult to find in natural fiber if you are anything but small to mid-size.

[@linr8260]

@@KristineVike yeah my point exactly lol I didn't even know natural fiber ones existed because I've stopped being able to shop from mainstream brands when I was 12 lol. And in the same way, good luck jumping in on the "make your own" hype when the people you see doing it can actually salvage underwires, rather than them breaking being what makes you get new ones.

[@meowkity1]

I’m having trouble finding clothes that don’t smell like chemical . I bought fabric from fabric store and I make tube tops . I’m not getting much lift though. Wonder if these synthetic bras are causing breast cancer.

[@mickelfritz]

Bra stink is the worst 🤢 I told myself I was never going to buy synthetic bras again, but it is so hard to find cotton ones and sometimes I get desperate so I buy something synthetic and then immediately regret it 😭

[@ardethellis8930]

Polyester and nylon also hold synthetic and natural fragrances permanently because of their hydrophobic properties. These fragrances are all oil or fat based and generally impossible to remove from an oil based fabric. Loved this nerdy and well researched video.

[@VTSifuSteve]

Hydrophobic properties? They stink so bad you get rabid?

[@emilysmith2784]

This is very interesting. I had to throw away all my husbands sweat wicking T-shirts as I just couldn’t get them to not smell bad and they couldn’t be washed in high temperatures or go in the tumble dryer. In healthcare we wash linens in 60+ degree centigrade water as that is the temperature required to kill bacteria. I find my tumble dryer will kill more bugs and bacteria than my washing machine as most clothing labels say to wash at 30-40 degrees. Which is hot enough to remove dirt but not bacteria. I think the biggest distinction is the difference between cleaning your clothes and sanitising your clothes.

[@KristineVike]

Interesting! We find that low temperatures works for most of our clothes, when using detergents correctly. But it would be very different for healthcare, I imagine!

[@rarevisionog]

killing of bacteria is the just one part of the problem, with polyester its really hard to scrubs off the residue these bacteria leaves on the fabric so the smell still lingers. Speaking from experience, I've liberally boiled my clothing for 30 mins and all it takes is a little moisture from the body for the odor to activate.

[@dvorak920289]

Damn it, I have the same problem here. I can be clean from the shower and wear a just laundered t shirt, *with* deodorant, and as soon as i get bearly hot, I stink. Has anyone got any tip for this?

[@ShanteRoxxane]

@@dvorak920289 It’s those synthetic fibers. I’ve had the same issue. It doesn’t happen with my 100% cotton. Only the polyester and polyester blends ever do that. Luckily these are hoodies/jumpers so I always have a shirt underneath that is cotton. It’s a decent barrier. And I try not to wear them for too long. I would get rid of mine but the ones I have I really like and/or they were gifts. If yours are not sentimental or essential for work maybe see if you can replace them little by little or try the Sport detergent.

[@MijnWolden]

✨✨special synthetic stink✨✨ and lobsters are bacteria on our skin now😂 The smell of sheep is one of its Selling Points for wool sweaters for me 😅

[@KristineVike]

I don’t mind it either, I find is cozy and grounding. 🐑 Buf I know many people do.

[@hverdagslykke1897]

Ooooh I just love the smell of wool 😍😍😍 so comforting and cozy 😍

[@michelnadon6243]

My Merino wool base layer does not smell even if i live in it I suggest to garbage synthetics

[@googoogahgah9706]

Wish I knew this when I was my yong age, I had been through very rough time because of this problem. Thank you kristine.

[@CryMeA_River8710]

There is a way to get rid of any type of smell from clothing in the wash and it does not return for a long time. This might sound like a absolutely crazy stuff, but I have tried and it works. Potassium permanganate, amount is about size of a wheat berry, or on the tip of the sharp knife (amount to use is really depends how much water its going to be used in. I'm just giving you a rough idea) diluted in water and then added to wash(never add dry crystals directly to wash), and in the rinse cycle add about 1 teaspoon of citric acid ( sold in canning department, used in food preservation) it neutralizes any color that potassium permanganate might have tinted light color clothing into. If possible line dry, because the sun also helps with "sealing" your efforts for longer time. CAUTION: must take care and read instruction on how you handle the potassium permanganate, don't let dry crystals touch skin. Back in very old days, this was used in some hospitals to disinfect hospital linens and clothing.

[@karlahovde]

Thanks for all this useful knowledge! I love all the goofy historic images you used as illustrations for this video! I wonder if you found any info on silk fibers? Would it behave similar to wool? I have a few silk athletic base layers tops, thin as tissue paper but super warm for cold weather exercise. So much nicer and warmer than polyester base layers, if you can find them! They seem to never wear out, since mine are hand-me-downs from my mother and must be at least 30 years old. But I've never noticed if they hold onto stink more or less than other clothing.

[@KristineVike]

I wanted to include silk, but I couldn’t find much literature on it when I investigated. Hopefully there will be more research on it soon!

[@hsysmanson]

Buddy, thank you! You really explain this subject topic well! Now I know why my gym clothes always stinks up so fast

[@del1336]

Ha! I was having almost this exact conversation with my friend over dinner on Thursday. We were talking about the properties of wool vs man made fibres and what I’ve discovered in my journey to switching fully to natural fibres. Being of a nervous disposition,& perimenopausal, I am all too aware that my odour can be very unpleasant if I wear synthetic clothing when it’s hot. I’ve known this for a long time, however socks have been the biggest revelation to me. I’ve always, since I was a child, had stinky feet. I don’t wear socks in the summer because my feet blister from the heat, but I’ve always tried to wear cotton socks in the winter. Despite this, my feet still stink to high heaven!…that is…until this winter when I decided to knit my own 100% wool socks & gloves because I’ve developed a bit of Raynauds syndrome and I need to keep my feet & hands as warm as possible. I’ve found that I can wear my hand knitted socks for several days before washing them, and, unbelievably, they still smell of sheep, rather than the alternative. Needless to say, all of my old socks have been disposed of (responsibly). I didn’t know that even the slightest amount of synthetic fibre could still cause clothing to stink. I suspect all of my “cotton” socks have got elastane in them and that’s where the problem was all along! I thought I was doomed to have stinky feet forever. 😱 Thanks so much for this video, Kristine, now I’ve got science to back up my findings❤

[@KelseyDrummer]

I have the same problem with my feet! I've had friends comment on it! It didn't even occur to me to change my socks to natural fibres. I feel silly now.

[@KristineVike]

Yeah, struggling with smell can be such a stigmatizing thing! I am happy for you that you found a good solution! It sounds very similar to what I’ve realized for myself as well!

[@mickelfritz]

I've noticed, too, that the shoe bed materials make a difference for me. Anyway, glad you've figured it out!

[@dawsie]

Yep Dad is the same, I get socks from back home for him as they are 100% wool even with the Aussie hot summers his feet are cooler with the woollen socks. Me I can wear the same socks for 3-4 days the longest I have tested was 10 days and still they don’t stink, 😹😹 it’s nice not having to wash socks every day now. I always know when he’s used a pair of old socks, the stink walks through the door before him 🙄🙄 I think I have finally gotten rid of all of the synthetic socks in the house 😹😹😹

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

in search of decent jersey t-shirts in thrift stores, i also found out elasthane, whilst giving a very body-adhering silhouette, isnt very good in terms of other qualities...all in all...i think i m going to try to avoid elasthane as well...

[@greyhaircrafter]

Super interesting! I call the stank the runners funk. Al the workout clothes go through the sanitize cycle once a month. Sorta helps.

[@phoenixfritzinger9185]

Try spraying vodka on it That stuff is amazing at getting smells out

[@julieboice180]

There are a few brands of scent removers that you add to your softener cycle. It removes scent by pH I believe

[@mkbrangan]

This is a game changer, thanks for your research!

[@KristineVike]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anastasiabaima2424]

A very interesting video discussion. I worked in retail clothing and the smell in the store was always a subject of discussion. Thank you for the video.

[@FireDancingKira]

I have mostly stopped buying synthetic clothing, i just hate how i smell and how they feel, the texture can just make my skin crawl sometimes. I bought one synthetic sweater within the past 2 years and I barely wear it 🙃

[@simbelmyne7767]

Hahaha those illustrations are a hoot! I'm sitting here like "Yes! Thank you! Someone else noticed this!" Meanwhile wearing my linen (blended with rayon) shirt and my wool (blended with synthetic) sweater because I can't afford the real deal yet 😅😭 They definitely perform better than my stinky poly-blend shirts, but oh the plague of manmade fibers continues to haunt me... one day I'll get my wardrobe to full linen and wool and then I'll never take it off again haha Great video again ❤ I had guessed most of this info myself before due to being way too interested in historical fiber production, but even I, nerd that I am, had not realized the affinity polyester would have for oils, being made of the stuff...fascinating

[@AndreasHatz]

I find a couple of tablespoons of eucalyptus oil added to the detergent and using a reasonably hot wash setting works quite well.

[@CasualKnitter]

As i listen to you I'm knitting on a scrappy blanket from all yhe acrylic yarn that I have around the house, and from reclaim yarn from old sweaters and of course I am conflicted, it seems that I cannot avoid acrylic yarn

[@locknado5532]

Super interesting video ! I had never considered why my polyester clothes had such a stink to it. This was very informative !!

[@paulinaom]

this makes a lot of sense, I started using rosehip oil on my hands at night, and with the pass of time my blankets were absorbing part of the oil, when I put them in the washing machine with the rest of my clothes, the oil smell stuck to my clothes so I washed everything again, and all the smell disappeared from my cotton and linen clothes but my favorite pajamas which was the only polyester fabric I had absorbed all the rosehip oil smell, I have washed 8 times but the smell won't disappear, tragic, i'll try some other methods and if it does not works then I guess im throwing it to trash, by the way I loved your explanation

[@aquaaurora2747]

haha 2:14 "Monster soup.... being a *correct* representation of the precious stuff doled out to us"

[@KristineVike]

It’s such a fantastic illustration!

[@mrmunna9072]

Thanks for these information, learned a lot!🙏

[@MountainParameters]

A very timely discussion. Sadly, the only options for back country hiking, mountaineering, etc., tend to get reduced to merino wool or synthetics. (For anyone interested, there has been an ongoing and fascinating discussion over the pros and cons between synthetic vs. merino wool fishnet base layers at Backpacking Light's website. Spoiler, there are many Pro's to the synthetic argument that I had not been aware of.). Only inexperienced outdoors enthusiasts wear cotton derived fabrics as they can render you hypothermic and be life threatening. Even the synthetics such as Polartec which have been re-engineered into products like "power grid fleece" can still end up with a price tag of $200.00 for a base layer top. So a good take-away from this video discussion is the tip on using detergents with the 'sport' theme. I also wonder if, for someone on a multi-day trip in the backcountry, the stink problem that is compounded with each passing day in the same clothes, could be mitigated by applying some sort of anti bacterial substance to the skin that would migrate through to the synthetic fabric and discourage the bacterial growth there (rather than focusing on keeping the 'BO' from the skin in standard places such as the armpits with things like deodorants)?

[@Lou.B]

Very educational, well-researched, and presented! Bravo!

[@StephanieMayfieldDIG]

Fascinating! Thanks for this info and explaining in such an understandable way!

[@KristineVike]

I am so happy it was understandable! That is always the most important.

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

I haven't learned this much in a long time! TFS!

[@Loxalair]

My work uniform shirts recently switched from cotton to polyester and Hoo Boy, let me tell you, I *immediately* noticed the difference. My shirts went from "I can wear these for two or three shifts without having to wash them, sometimes four if I end up in the dairy cooler" to "I've only been here five hours and I am so conscious about how I smell." And I consistently wear other shirts under my work shirts, so it isn't even like it's getting the entire contents of my underarm on it

[@sawyiier4870]

Man you see that polyster is a fucking mess the only thing that can reduce the smell is wearing 100% cotton underwear.

[@veggiezz]

This explains so much!!

[@paulwright8695]

Really excellent research - thank you! venE more interesting (in my weird opinion) is why/how Cotton can sometimes perform as badly as polyester in the stink arena. I have bought a few cotton t-shirts in the past and they start to smell within about 1 hour of putting them on, They are generally cheaper, lighter and smoother than normal cotton t-shirt material, so you might be forgiven for thinkingthey artificial fibres, but they are labelled 100% cotton and are sold by reputable clothing shops. My feeling is that the *weave* might be responsible..?

[@simongrushka983]

hi, thanks for the nice video! there is a reason why the standard, coolmax made t-shirt in British Army is called "smelly-helly" ;) i wonder if anyone done a 'stink comparison' of different varieties of polyester, like coolmax and dri-fit etc

[@KristineVike]

That is an interesting question, I didn’t see any such comparisons when I perused the literature.

[@MyCatsChannel841]

Extactly omg great video I barley found out about polyester it does trap sweat no matter the weather 🤦‍♀️

[@mickelfritz]

This is why I refuse to buy polyester clothing. I wish people would stop buying it so that they would stop making it! It really limits what one can buy. Unfortunately, sometimes even a new "100%" cotton garment will still get that exact same awful synthetic stink after wearing, and I suspect polyester thread which manufacturers are not required to disclose. This is a tangent, but thrift shop clothing has become incredibly stinky over the past couple of decades, even in natural fibers. It is a horrible mix of artificial fragrance and BO and is impossible to remove. I wonder now, after watching this video, if it has something to do with the plastics/fats in fabric softener and deodorant coating the natural fibers?

[@KristineVike]

Those questions would definitely make for some interesting research topics!

[@JayJJay185]

Yes! I still manage to stink out 100% cotton tshirts, so I think you might be on to something there. I guess I'll have to spend a bit more to make sure I'm buying true 100% cotton.

[@meowkity1]

These odor stick to your skin too so you may think the cotton is no better but your skin may need a detox. Body brush

[@DearStephanieX]

This is exactly why I don’t like thrift shopping, I thought it was just me.

[@mickelfritz]

@@JayJJay185 Oh yeah, I've noticed that too with some shirts where the polyester hemming thread sits right in the armpit. 😩 (I know that Dharma trading has a lot of blanks that use cotton thread for hemming so you don't get those white lines when dying.) But there's more. Manufacturers coat fabric in protective chemicals in order to keep them looking crisp and clean and the bugs away while in warehouses. That "new clothing" smell. And then people coat clothes further with plastic-based fabric softeners and artificial fragrance. If you've ever washed a sort plastic food container you know that oils and and odors are really hard to get out of it. Same thing with the plastic softeners. Deodorant fragrance layered over sweat (people don't seem to realize they need to clean their pits first) creates its own disgusting chemical stew 🤢. And deodorant has sticking properties so is very hard to wash out of clothing. Also I'm convinced that some dyes interact with body chemistry to create stink (I have a large tie-dye collection, and inexplicably specific shirts get stinky and others don't, even though they're all cotton.) When I get new clothing I wash the heck out of it in unscented detergent and hot water to strip all that stuff off.

[@lowIQstuff]

dam, i want a waterproof jacket that won't smell bad overtime, leather is a no-go since it can't stand rain (rains a lot where i live when it's "jacket season") guess i'll just wear a cotton hoodie on the inside and polyester jacket on the 2nd layer, so hopefully the odor oils are trapped in the cotton instead of the polyester.

[@julieboice180]

Sounds like how I learned to dress as a girl scout.

[@ykm257]

You need waxed cotton.

[@cowabungachick06]

I have an oilskin coat which is waterproof and 100% cotton.

[@JellyFlavoredGerman]

@@lowIQstuff You need a waxed cotton jacket like a barbour. Make sure the lining is natural fibre too. Barbour jackets are sold with plastic sleeve linings but they will replace them with cotton for a small fee.

[@faigelable]

Outside of eco-friendly methods, would dry cleaning manage to penetrate into the fibres or not?

[@varde42]

I didn't know that polyester binds to fatty acids, that explains a lot! My two cents of anecdotal evidence is that 100% wool socks will prevent cheap safety shoes from becoming a stink bomb that can't be left inside the house. The socks will need immediate washing and will wear out quickly, but the shoes will be stink free and useable for years longer. Add the prevention of blisters even in hot weather and the constant hand washing and darning becomes (grudgingly) worth it.

[@KristineVike]

That is such a good tip! I prefer wool socks all winter too, keeps my feet nice and warm, but the darning did make me eventually splurge on a pair of wool slippers with rubber soles to reduce it a tiny bit. 😅

[@bella-bee]

My experience with my husband’s shirts is that they need a hot wash. The trend to use cooler water doesn’t kill the bugs or remove the smelly compounds. My sons had a lot of dark t-shirts, as well as socks and jocks. The advice here is not to hot wash, but then we get ‘that’ smell. You didn’t mention nonanol, I think that’s how you spell it, the old person smell, a real thing. It’s very difficult to wash out. I read persimmon does help.

[@KelseyDrummer]

I bought a really expensive shirt made of recycled bottles. 10/10 do not recommend! I was only able to wear it a couple times, and I can't get the stank out. I've tried everything! 😢 Also I'm from Alberta! Woohoo!

[@KristineVike]

Oh no! That is such a frustrating thing to have happen.

[@KelseyDrummer]

@@KristineVike I won't give up on it. It's a nice shirt lol

[@coaxguy99]

@@KelseyDrummer Try putting it on a nice wooden hanger and spraying it lightly with 90% isopropyl alcohol. I do that with some of my clothes and it really works. I also did that with my dog's bed that was full of synthetic fibers and it completely removed all of the odor and believe me, that thing smelled horrible. I had to spray it heavily and let it dry completely a couple of times but that took all of the odor away. After that, to keep it maintained I just sprayed it very lightly every couple of weeks. Of course I put it where he couldn't get to it while it was drying so he wouldn't lick it and get sick.

[@KelseyDrummer]

@coaxguy99 OK crazy because I'm wearing this shirt right now and I saved it because I used the oxyclean odor blaster on it. It worked so well! I now use it on everything!

[@coaxguy99]

@@KelseyDrummer So happy you found a solution! I'l have to try oxyclean odor blaster!

[@Mmhashbrowns]

Where did you get your shawl 😄

[@julieboice180]

Cleaning your washer is also very important. Bacteria seems to hide in waxy softener and the small amount of dirty water that lays in the washer. I use white vinegar and dish soap. Adjust your washer to the hottest and highest levels. Then put it on a second rinse. Wipe out what's left and also take your softener things sissy and wipe it out

[@ToxicChocolate88]

Essentially in dark clothes!! Thx for the info!

[@maleahlock]

In Australia we wear sunscreen all year round and it exacerbates the stink problem. Unfortunately schools and almost all trades require polyester uniforms and the marketing around it is blatant lies.

[@KristineVike]

Oh no, that sounds unfortunate! 😬

[@apTimON]

Great content. I found another gem on KZbin.

[@AustinAdams]

How do you know so much information about this? Smart lady..

[@biaberg3448]

The problem with cotton is that it needs a lot of water to grow. And it takes land that could have been used to grow vegetables. So we should buy quality cotton that can be used for a long time. Some bad/ cheap children’s clothes look bad after a few washes. High quality clothes can be used by many children and still look nice. Often more than you know when bought at a second hand shop.

[@scout8145]

This was very informative! Do we know if this is the same when you have a natural fiber base layer underneath the polyester? I imagine having a layer between your skin and the polyester would reduce the amount of bacteria touching the fabric, but it would also trap moisture all the same. Anecdotally, it’s very hit-or-miss for me depending on the combination of clothing. I suspect there’s some other variable here. Side note: this would be also be very helpful information for fursuiters (and other cosplayers)! It’s hard work to prevent stink when you have a huge, expensive garment that took ages to make, is very difficult to wash, and is nearly always made of synthetics. The usual advice is to wear synthetic sportswear underneath, but I wonder if something like merino wool would be better.

[@Haiokbai]

Omg so that’s why my laundry stinks !!!! I had so much polyester . Even expensive brands sell $100 shirts all polyester it should be a CRIME. Knowledge is power! Never again.

[@rdvgrd6]

There’s something I don’t understand though. I use polyester underwear, shorts and t-shirt when exercising. My shirts and underwear always smell like clean laundry after wash but only the t-shirt stink 🤔

[@KristineVike]

That is such an interesting observation! I'm afraid I cannot offer an explanation to that, as all the research I found focused on armpit sweat and dynamics. Hopefully in time we will learn more about this subject.

[@CrowingHen]

A brilliant video! Thank you for exploring this topic. I've often wondered why fibre content was so closely related to body odour (or lack thereof). And why my one shirt (hemp linen blend) actually made a pleasant sweat smell when I wore it.

[@KristineVike]

Me too! It would be such a jarring contrast sometimes.

[@lamedumbjoker]

watched the video till the end. subscribed for good content. Saw a cat bonus. Am happy now :D

[@KristineVike]

Cat is usually very obliging to the camera. 🥰

[@wandagambling6523]

I wonder if the supposed antimicrobial properties of wool come from the overwhelming mass of less toxic bacteria in it? Fighting fire with fire?

[@KristineVike]

I didn’t find any assumptions to why the misconception existed in the first place. My guess was maybe since wool doesn’t smell much, we thought they didn’t contain much bacteria either? That would be pure guesswork though.

[@sleethmitchell]

after losing everything after a boating misadventure, i had enough money to buy a bicycle. i became a bike messenger in boston. this required about fifty miles of bicycling in every sort of weather. similar to offshore sailing, really. you can acclimate to almost any smell. ask any old hippie about patchouli. i rejected cotton sweaters as they became too heavy. wool was good with water, but was too warm, even in winter. i settled on acrylic or any other cheapo synthetic sweater. because they were quick drying! the upside of the noisome smell (i always imagined the invisible stink rays!) was that i was always given a little extra space in the elevators.

[@stiofanmacamhalghaidhau765]

not seeing this in the comments but I'm wondering if those bacteria are in part also 'eating' the oil-based fibres themselves?

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

seen the plastic cutting boards for chopping up veggies and meat that are all the rage the last 20,30 years? Have been introduced as being `more hygienic` then wooden cutting boards. Restaurants, caterers and individuals use them en masse. Seems now they are far less hygienic then wooden boards and even a festering hearth of bacteria, compared to wooden planks. True, you need to know how to maintain a wooden cutting board, which is not so hard....but the cuts that a knife makes on plastic tend to make grooves that stay open and food gets stuck due to the properties of plastic. Whereas in wood after a cut the wood closes sort of immediately and food is less likely to stay trapped...or so. Anyway, I have seen very, very dirty plastic cutter boards and close inspection (eyes, touch, smell), left me feeling that wooden boards, if well-maintained are far more hygienic then plastic boards...probably at least in part for the same microbacterial reasons as in clothing....

[@lumikkihusu7259]

My, that was really interesting! But it leaves me with a question about stink in t-shirts. Which do not contain polyester. I've noticed that magnesium deficiency is what really causes the smell of sweat. I have a long-term illness which impairs my absorption of certain minerals. I'm usually on a fairly heavy dose of supplements, so a happy side effect is that I don't often smell much at all! But there have been a few occasions when I got really, really deficient in magnesium. And I started to REALLY stink. When that happens, I will ruin a shirt. It's just totally impossible to get the stink off. And it's been cotton with some elastane (usually 95/5). Can you shed any light on what is happening? Is elastane alike to polyester in the binding, or is there a similar soiling process for cotton? I would suspect that the deficiency triggers an over-growth of some bacteria rather than a primarily inorganic reaction, but what actually happens to the textile in contact, is what I'm interested in.

[@childesinthev.761]

Élasthanne might retain some of the smell, but I suspect part of it is may be that we're also used to a range of odor that we just tune out as pleasant, or at least expected and inoffensive, while most variations from that are perceived as 'stink' or noticeable B.O. even if they might actually be, technically, of no greater intensity. We're just wired to detect people who may be sick or whose life and diet are different enough that it translates into B.O. even with reasonable hygiene.

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

I always wondered why the orthodox jews have this religious rule that you cannot mix fibres, like they can wear a textile that is ONLY wool or ONLY linen. I thought hard and deep about this, most of the jews I think dont know exactly why, but I think some of the reasons are linked to the same reasons why excellent quality fibre generally consists of 1 type of fibre (or am I wrong?), that, and it s easier to know what fiber a textile is when it s just 1 type of fibre, so easier to recycle....I know orthodox jews have a strong thing with cleanliness as well.....interesting anyway that a rule that came into life like 2000 years or more ago is still relevant today (at least to me)..! Correct me if im wrong about this, this is just what I heard :)

[@Livindaybyday]

Plus polyester makes you sweat!! I hate it!

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

my boyfriend has smelly feet but then he wears protective shoewear with iron tip that is as good as airtight. Then he used to wear cheap socks, at least partly synthetic. When he put out his shoes after a 9 hour day, the whole house smelled like rotten cheese for half a day. So I told him to wear only natural fiber socks, change shoes and socks more often, and wear open shoes whenever weather allowed....that helped somewhat 😉

[@julietardos5044]

And it's so hard to find 100% cotton socks these days. It's getting hard to find even 70% cotton socks. If there's anywhere I don't want to wear plastic, it's my feet (and my privates, but I can still find 100% cotton undies).

[@faigelable]

How do Sports Detergents even work?

[@BarbaraTheElfe]

Weird curiosity? It's a massive issue, taking giant toll on mental health and financial future of giant chunks of population, not to mention environment. Marketing gaslighting makes people belive that if their clothing stinks, that means that there is something wrong with THEM, that they should be ashamed and buy more stuff to "fix" themselves. I noticed the thing you discussed about a dacade ago, and found some scarce research traces as well, but i couldn't believe how nobody seemed to be talking about it. Definetly no articles in Vogue. The only place where i beg to differ, is that i dont believe polyester and polyamide (nylon) work the same way in terms of stink. After all, stockings and bras are almost exclusively made of polyamide, and are more stink resistant even compared to cotton. Compared to nylon, you need to barely touch polyester for it to stink.

[@stopwatchreadlisten7034]

Where is the solution?

[@thebluedot4728]

but cotton gets stinky too!!

[@biaberg3448]

But some polyester clothes can be worn for years and years. Don’t seem to be worn out. And don’t stink. And some other feel uncomfortable/ clammy to use when it’s hot.

[@maddcharity1721]

It is a chemical reaction with your body. Polyester is toxic so your body reacts to it. I never smell and I don’t wear deodorant yet the only time I do is when I wear polyester

[@nrrgrdn]

I clicked this video by accident but I'm glad I did

[@letuswalkinthelightofthelo5350]

Polyester is made out of plastic. Try to choose natural divers such as cotton wool linen silk if at all possible!

[@sewcute_sewvintage]

I'm totally just as weird! 😺

[@KristineVike]

Yay, more weirdos! ❤️

[@Parcha64]

I'm genuinely ecstatic that the legging/yoga pants craze is falling out of style with the youngsters. I was born in the 90s so I remember what real denim feels like and I was appalled to see it all replaced with poly blends. It warms my heart to see the youth adopting big stiff "mommy" jeans again for a multitude of reasons! Now if they could only cut a shirt with a real hemline we'd be golden 😂

[@faerdineth4239]

Awesome ❤

[@scotisland]

Very interesting.

[@RedCloudsBlackSky]

Am i the only one who thinks the opposite? To me cotton gets stinky and my polyester clothes never smell.

[@Hannah-pc7hg]

Threw som t-shirts in the garbage in the past, because of that. «Dry-fit» and «breathing» was complete lies. Now I only use cotton. Much cheaper than the over prized sport shop plastic «clothes» too. Never again!

[@hetedeleambacht6608]

the importance of your videos, information and research cannot be overestimated, when information that truly matters is being shut off from us more and more.......if being sane means being weird nowadays, i `d rather be weird 😋 please never stop debunking the nonsense the world wants to engulf us in!! Thank you sincerely, a handicraft lover

[@lynnlynn2661]

I'm noticing that the fiber industry seems to be pushing more polyester on consumers. There is more 100% poly thread. There are more and different polyester fibers, some of which are truly beautiful. But I avoid 100% poly because I live in the desert and most poly feels like you are dressed in a black garbage bag: hot in the summer and cold and clammy in the winter.

[@lowIQstuff]

what alternatives are there in the winter / rain seasons? every jacket that's hydrophobic is made of poly thread

[@Benjamin_wong2024]

😊

[@laurencoogs]

I just love you.

[@AC-id5ow]

Micro plastics.

[@johnnny9]

so whats the advice dont buy polyester clothes if you dont want to be stinky ?

[@lhagwha]

Polyester Source of Microfiber Anyway . So don't buy Polyester clothes

[@catfrog1975]

Thank you for this video! Theres a particular really cute shirt that is so cursed with the stink... For whatever reason, this shirt in particular started reeking after one use, and it was really disappointing as it was an expensive shirt with a fun design. No luck with any amount of vinegar, washing, or airing it out... Youve given me both an explanation, and a "hail mary" (the sports detergent) 🤞

[@VetsrisAuguste]

At least half as weird, my friend….

[@mavicityrelayson2924]

All those running shirts ugh

[@tayechiapa9545]

nice

[@AntwonDaBusiness]

I haven’t seen a difference in my synthetics vs cotton clothes when it comes to smell. If anything…I’ve noticed some of my synthetics NOT stinking as quickly as cotton due to the fact that many of them are antimicrobial in design. We also have to take into account what synthetics are used for…high activity and working out. So if you’re comparing your active wear clothes to normal leisure clothes then of course there’s going to be a difference due to the activity. But I can definitely say that synthetics will keep smells at bay (generally) far longer than materials like cotton. Synthetics can be washed and dried much easier and quicker than cotton as well. I’ve never taken out clothes from the wash and had clothes that stink like body odor. If your clothes are doing that then your washing machine sucks or your body odor is outrageous haha.

[@KristineVike]

While I am happy for you for having a different experience, I was not comparing synthetic activewear to natural fibre leisurewear, nor did any of the numerous studies I referred to that can be found in the description. Instantly jumping to shame and ridicule a person for any (presumed) body odour is a prime example of why this topic matters. Smell can be incredibly stigmatising, as anyone suffering with it can attest to.

[@AntwonDaBusiness]

@@KristineVike it’s called good personal hygiene and using deodorant that actually works and isn’t just a scent salve. It’s easy to not smell disgusting…truly. And if you’re really struggling then purchase some medical grade antibacterial and anti fungal soaps to reset everything. No one is beyond smelling nice…no one. You obviously understand where the smell comes from…soooooo….treatment? Try that?

[@ccturner8224]

Awesome?

[@ccturner8224]

Sorry....Awesome!!!!!!

[@xxxShinee]

Yes poly clothes are total shit. I throw it to the trash.