Synthetics vs natural fibres - odour

[StringJunky]

I've been wondering why synthetic-fibre  clothes encourage odour-causing bacterial activity yet natural fibres less so. Is it because synthetics are warmer, owing to being hydrophobic? I would have thought hygroscopic materials would provide a more amenable environment for smelly bacteria, with holding more moisture.

[MigL]

I have often found the opposite to be true.

A cotton T-shirt will 'smell' after a workout.
A synthetc workout shirt will not.

[StringJunky]

27 minutes ago, MigL said:

I have often found the opposite to be true.

A cotton T-shirt will 'smell' after a workout.
A synthetc workout shirt will not.

I wonder if it's down to personal body chemistry then ?

[Ghideon]

1 hour ago, StringJunky said:

I wonder if it's down to personal body chemistry then ?

After workout my cotton socks smells less uncomfortable than my synthetic t-shirt. My synthetic training cap smells really bad. So elevation is one factor to consider?

 

Jokes aside, the following paper "Microbial Odor Profile of Polyester and Cotton Clothes after a Fitness Session" may be of interest*.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4249026/. It suggests that differences in the properties of fibers promotes different microbes and that differences in absorption may affect the smell. 

Quote

This research found that the composition of clothing fibers promotes differential growth of textile microbes and, as such, determines possible malodor generation.

 

*)  I have not checked the quality of the paper, just quickly scanned it to check that it applies to the questions.

Edited February 28, 2021 by Ghideon

[StringJunky]

Thanks Ghideon, will have a read.

[John Cuthber]

I just wish I didn't come across so many people who seem to be engaged on research in this field.

 

[MigL]

Meet a lot of Frenchmen, do you ?
( just kidding, most do shower every day )

What bothers me more is breath odour; I don't leave the house without a gargle of Listerine.
Sat on an EasyJet flight from Basel to Naples, beside a guy who made me want to ask for a parachute, and jump.