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Removing body odor from sheets can be done with a few simple steps. First, check the care instructions on the sheets to ensure they can be washed in hot water. Pre-treat any visible stains or odorous areas with a stain remover or a mixture of baking soda and water. Then, wash the sheets in hot water with a laundry detergent that contains enzymes to break down odor-causing bacteria. Add a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to further eliminate odors. Finally, dry the sheets thoroughly. If the odor persists, repeat the process or consider replacing the sheets.
Regardless of whether you sleep peacefully or toss and turn all night, you can sweat a surprising amount while you sleep. When you combine that sweat with oils from your skin, dirt, and body odor, your bedding can become quite smelly. Revitalize your bedding and create a relaxing oasis in your bedroom by washing your bed sheets with vinegar.
Items You Will Need
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White vinegar
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Baking soda
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Laundry detergent
How to Eliminate Body Odor from Sheets
Step 1: Pre-treat the Sheets if Necessary
If you are unable to do laundry on the same day that you remove the sheets from your bed, spritz a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water onto the soiled sheets. This vinegar mixture may help absorb some of the odor in advance. Alternatively, you can sprinkle baking soda on the sheets in the laundry hamper instead of using vinegar.
Step 2: Place the Sheets in the Washing Machine
Put the smelly sheets into the washing machine. Choose a soak cycle and fill the machine with the hottest water recommended on the care tag. Make sure there is enough water to fully cover the sheets. If the sheets take up the entire washing machine, divide them into smaller loads. If the machine is overcrowded, it may be difficult to eliminate the odor and the sheets may wrinkle and pill since they won’t have room to move around.
Step 3: Add Vinegar to the Wash
Allow the machine to fill with water, but stop it from running the cycle. Add one cup of white vinegar to the hot water and swish it around a bit to mix it in. Let the sheets soak for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4: Drain the Washing Machine
Select the spin cycle to drain out the water, leaving the sheets inside the machine. Choose the wash cycle and temperature that is recommended for the sheets and add your preferred laundry detergent. Use the amount of detergent specified on the packaging.
Step 5: Add Vinegar to the Rinse Cycle
During the final rinse cycle, add one cup of white vinegar to the washing machine as it fills with water. Allow the sheets to complete the rinse cycle and remove them once the final spin cycle is finished. It may be difficult to determine if the odor is completely gone, so smell the sheets to see if most of the body odor has been eliminated before drying them. If the sheets still have an odor, repeat the washing cycle.
Step 6: Air Dry the Sheets
If you have an outdoor clothesline in your backyard, hang the sheets out to dry in the sun. This will allow the sheets to dry completely and help dissipate any remaining vinegar smell. Once the sheets are dry, check to ensure that the body odor is gone. If it is still present, rewash the sheets. If the odor is gone, put the sheets in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them and remove any wrinkles that may have formed during the drying process outside.
Procedure 7: Utilize the Dryer to Dry the Sheets
Put the sheets inside the dryer and dry them thoroughly by using the recommended heat setting indicated on the care tag, in case you don’t have a clothesline. If freshly washed sheets are left inside the washing machine for several hours or days, they might develop a musty smell. It is important to dry them as soon as possible to prevent any musty odor from lingering on the laundry or inside the washing machine. Avoid adding fabric softener or dryer sheets to the load, as these items can leave an oily residue on the sheets, making them somewhat resistant to water and resulting in incomplete cleanliness after the wash.
Procedure 8: Inspect the Sheets
Take out the sheets from the dryer once they are dry. Smell them to ensure that any body odor has been completely eliminated from the fabric. If necessary, repeat the washing process to fully remove any lingering odor.
