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Vodka Works For Sweaty Armpits

Q. I used to work backstage for the wardrobe department in a theatre. Actors sweat, and clothes that are not machine-washable are dry cleaned only once a week. Clothes get sweaty and smell.

The solution that I was taught is to spray undiluted white vinegar or vodka (the cheaper and higher proof the better) on the armpits and other sweaty areas of the clothing. Once the vinegar or vodka dried, the clothes didn't smell. This worked for the 15 years that I did it.

A. Thanks for this fascinating tip. During the summer clothes get sweaty quickly. This seems like an affordable solution to a common problem. Before spraying the entire garment, though, it might be a good idea to test the vinegar or vodka in an inobtrusive place to make sure it won’t stain the clothing.

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About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
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