Triclosan is the active ingredient in non-antiperspirant deodorants. It works by suppressing the growth of bugs in your pits. These bugs create BO by metabolizing lipids etc. Kill bugs - less smell. Triclosan is put in handsoap for the same reason - although probably less effective since it is rinsed right off.

Some folks are stinky not because of their bodies (which they wash) but because their clothes are infrequently or inadequately cleaned. It is the same tyrannical principle: oil on clothes in metabolized by bugs. I think of several foreign gentlemen I have known over the years for whom this was the case. I propose that a product be devised which deposits triclosan on clothes when washed. Probably some sort of fabric softener would be best for this, since it would not then be rinsed off.

The advantage - clothes go longer without stinking. This would also be good for the soldiers in Iraq, or anywhere that washwater is rare but stinkiness not acceptable.

Yes I am aware this idea is painfully dull. In its defense - it might work.
-- bungston, Aug 22 2003

Triclosan http://www.quantexlabs.com/triclosan.htm
Most of my google was scare stories about the dangers of triclosan. If they are true my pits are in big trouble. It looks like it is added to plastics and fabric, but not applied to them. Wonder why not? [bungston, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]

It may not work for long http://www.sciencen...g/20000527/fob4.asp
[kbecker, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Baked http://www.know-mor...lverwear/noodor.asp
Use silver instead of triclosan. [pasodad, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]

Toothpaste cancer alert http://www.thisislo...ing%20Standard&ct=5
And now, triclosan may cause cancer. [waugsqueke, Apr 15 2005]

Sensible policies for a happier Britain. +
-- angel, Aug 22 2003


Triclosan is evil and bad and nasty and will likely be the cause of the end of the world.
-- waugsqueke, Aug 22 2003


Sure, triclosan is evil and bad and nasty, but stinky clothes cause nasal distress. Spray the triclosan on everything, and let those who don't like it use the antidote...Nasolcirt.
-- LabRat, Aug 22 2003


No, Triclosan is evil and nasty because it makes Bacteria immune to itself over time. Dumping antibiotics into the environment is bad if you want to actually be able to use said antibiotics in the future. Having said that, the idea of putting something into clothes to inhibit bacterial growth is not a bad one. Perhaps an alternative chemical, or even a special fabric of some sort could acheive the same result.
-- Madcat, Aug 22 2003


See link - triclosan has been shown to mingle with chlorinated water and produce chloroform gas. Inhaled or absorbed through the skin, it can cause liver problems, depression and possibly cancer. I'll stick with stinky clothes.
-- waugsqueke, Apr 15 2005


yeah good points about triclosan, it's not good stuff to use. The special fabric idea is deffinatly workable though, bamboo fabric is naturally anti-bacterial, I actually have some bamboo socks that were labled as anti-bacterial
-- ModernDivo, Aug 18 2008



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