Poly Blend Clothes, So Comfy, So Smelly!

My wife thinks it’s funny that I’m writing a blog about laundry, considering she does most all of our household laundry. Ok, so I may not actually DO the laundry, but one thing I know for sure….my super soft polyester and poly-blend clothes sure do STINK! Even after washing. So what gives!?

Polyester has become one of the most common fabrics in modern clothing, showing up in everything from athletic wear to bedding. Its popularity isn’t surprising…..polyester is inexpensive, durable, wrinkle-resistant, and blends easily with natural fibers to improve stretch and longevity. But despite all these advantages, many people notice that polyester can develop a stubborn sour or sweaty odor, sometimes even shortly after washing.

The reason polyester tends to smell has to do with the structure of the fibers themselves. Because polyester is hydrophobic, it repels water rather than absorbing it. Sweat and moisture stay on the surface of the fabric instead of soaking in, and body oils cling tightly to the fibers. Those oils trap odor-producing bacteria, which thrive in warm, damp environments. Since polyester fibers are essentially a type of plastic, bacteria attach easily and water doesn’t penetrate well during a wash cycle. As a result, regular detergent often can’t fully remove the buildup of oils and bacteria, and over time that trapped residue creates a persistent odor. Sorry, Era. Looks like we need something else to tackle this odor.

Getting rid of that smell is possible with a few simple adjustments to your laundry routine. Soaking polyester clothing in a mixture of warm water with either white vinegar or baking soda before washing can help loosen the trapped oils and neutralize odors. Using a detergent made specifically for synthetic fabrics also makes a noticeable difference because those formulas are designed to break down the residues that cling to polyester. It also helps to skip fabric softener, since softeners leave behind a waxy coating that can make odors even worse. Washing in warm water instead of cold and occasionally adding an oxygen-based laundry booster can help lift any lingering residues. And whenever you can, letting the clothing dry outside in sunlight gives you the added benefit of natural antibacterial effects.

The important question: Should I share these tips with my wife, or just do these things myself? I know what she would say!