Our Doolie is Home! How to clean uniform?

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Feb 9, 2020
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As a new academy parent, I'm beyond excited to have our DS home. However, there is some serious body odor that needs to be addressed in his blues. The shirt I can wash, but what about the jacket? He has an event to attend in uniform.

He just had it cleaned two days ago (and wouldn't want to clean it here anyway, rather stick to the academy dry cleaner) but how does one spot clean/reduce body odor? We've read about vinegar? Baking soda? We figured there is someone on this board that has dealt with this and has advice.

Not much I get to do for our DS these days....so at least I can help with this. Thank you!
 
Febreze spray in targeted areas. Seriously. If there are any deodorant mas, a wet cloth and scrub it out.

It was HOT everywhere he presented! I seriously could have written your post!!

Of course, if time, send it to the dry cleaners. Although they lost our sons once so that doesn’t happen anymore.

But febreze works!!
 
Check! We have Febreze. Also read that baking soda/vinegar is effective. Between the two - hopefully we can improve the situation. Thanks!
 
“Arrest My Vest” - Military and law enforcement nasty odor eliminator, safe for all fabrics. Amazon. Army-Navy surplus stores. Outdoorsman/hunting supplies stores.

Sponsor son tip, a USNA alum who works for one of the ABC agencies doing Interesting Things.
 
Instead of Febreeze, try spraying vodka on the garment. It is used by costumers to deal with body odor smells on clothing.

I'd also suggest letting it air out in the sun for a bit. Fresh air and sunshine are good deodorizers. I used to do this with my son's uniform from time to time. He did this with his camo uniform when he was out in the field (he wore one while the other one hung outside) and his clothing stunk the least among his classmates that summer. (WP cadet)
 
My credentials In sweat and oder control, are 3 football/wrestling/track athletes….in that order.

Football gear, HOLY HECK that stuff STAAAAANKS. Can wash uniforms. Not the gear.

Oddly, though, even that scent is a welcome one. Means my guy is home.
 
Febreeze and air it out if you can outside away from the elements. A lot of times they get worn, sweaty and dry cleaned and all the odors seem to just stick in the fabric. We used to do this without if our gear. Fresh air can do wonders.
 
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Football gear, HOLY HECK that stuff STAAAAANKS. Can wash uniforms. Not the gear.

Oddly, though, even that scent is a welcome one. Means my guy is home.
I’ll see your football gear and raise you hockey gear. 😉

I told DD that one of the things I oddly miss is traveling with her to hockey tournaments and sharing a hotel room — me, her, hockey gear. After a game, she’d lay the stuff out to dry in the room. We’d head to dinner, return a couple hours later, and nearly keel over from the aroma when we re-entered. Once, we were lucky to have a balcony and we put her stuff out there. Of course, the next morning, it was all frozen stiff. 🙄 But we survived the night.
 
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I can say that after finding out my DS (Damn son) left his taekwondo sparring gear, head gear, sweat soaked uniform and bag in my car overnight in Phoenix--in JULY after a tournament- that I was tempted to trade in the car. Guarantee you the dealer wouldn't have accepted it. Indescribable. I can promise you I likely yelled the 3-hour ride home, while holding an airsick bag in my lap just in case.

After that (it only happened once) he was responsible for emptying his gear bag after each practice, tournament etc. He would hang the gear on the steel fence in the yard, hit it with a vinegar spray and then hose it all down. It stayed in the son until dry. The bag and uniform he would then wash in the machine with vinegar in the softener part of the machine, and baking soda as laundry detergent.
Don't miss that. I miss him daily (not now, he's doing physics at our table) but I wouldn't want that smell back in my nose--- ever.
 
Do not use Febreeze on Hockey Gear. Used it once and big rash under shin pads after one game. Three kids Hockey and know every rink from NY throughout NE to Lake Placid and Toronto. Those Hockey tournament trips were the best. Knee hockey in the hotel hallway.:D
 
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