How To Keep The Stinkiest Laundry Smelling Fresh

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There's dirty laundry — and then, there's the kind of laundry that tips the scale of stinkiness. If you or someone at home is either an athlete or works a highly physical job, you know that the stink can reach next-level. Bacteria, body oil, and sweat are the culprits for the foul odors on clothing. Even with washing, those smells don't always go away, unless you put in some extra effort. Luckily, it doesn't have to be a frustrating chore if you turn to enzymatic detergents. They're excellent at tackling stubborn odors and stains so that you don't have to be embarrassed wearing your favorite workout gear. You can use these types of detergents in the washing machine, as a prewash stain remover, or in a container for a presoak.

Enzyme-based detergents contain a variety of enzymes that work together to break down stain and odor-causing compounds. They typically include ingredients like lipase, protease, and amylase, each of which plays a role in naturally keeping clothes smelling fresh. There are many popular detergents (based on reviews) to choose from, such as Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day — a biodegradable formula that's tough in the laundry room.

Among other simple laundry hacks, you can eliminate stains and foul odors by creating an enzyme detergent soak. Fill a container with water and add a small amount of detergent. Then, let your piece of clothing soak in it for a few hours before washing. When using an enzymatic detergent in your washing machine, like ECOS Plant-Powered Detergent, be sure to read the directions as they may differ from traditional detergents.

These types of solutions will help your stinkiest clothes (like your kid's baseball pants) come out cleaner and fresher without the use of harsh chemicals. Interestingly, each of the enzymes contributes in its own specialized way. For example, proteases focus on protein stains, like those left behind by sweat and blood. While amylases target carbohydrate-based food stains, which can be particularly difficult to remove. In a similar fashion, lipases go after greasy stains. The enzymes all work as a team to neutralize odor-causing particles, too — which is why these types of detergents can be a wonder on laundry day.

If you have a stain that you want to specifically address, like a shirt's yellowing armpits, make up a quick solution. Simply dissolve a small amount of liquid detergent in warm water, then pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture generously onto the stain, then let the garment sit for about an hour before tossing it into the washing machine. For really tough stains, wet the piece of clothing — then pour a small amount of detergent directly onto the stain and work it into the fabric with your hands.