Why does my towel smell like ammonia?

[aveggiegirl]

I was working out and noticed that my towel was starting to smell a little like ammonia. As the workout continued, the ammonia smell got really strong. What's going on?

The towel was clean -- I just took it out of the linen closet.
I wash towels in hot water with Tide.
My dog does not go into my basement where I workout.
My sports bra, shorts, etc. did not smell like ammonia.
I did not smell like ammonia.
I do not use ammonia.

This has never happened to me before. Please help me solve this mystery.

 

[kathryn]

Well, that's a puzzle!
I was thinking that the smell was coming from you, but that doesn't seem to be the case, so here's my theory (completely unscientific, but imaginative!): there is some kind of interaction going on between what was on the towel before you used it (detergent? fabric softener?) and something that is on you (lotion? some chemical in your sweat?).

That's all I've got!

 

[Liann]

If it's a colored towel, try adding bleach for colors to your next wash. If it's white, add straight bleach to the next wash. There is something in our water that causes our towels to stink after getting wet. Not sure what it is, but we now ONLY use white towels and bleach the heck out of them every wash. They smell great now even after a few uses. Not sure that that is your problem, but that's my experience.

 

[icumom]

I teach hot yoga and my stuff sometimes smells like ammonia too - not all the time though! I think its an interaction of something too - like sweat and whatever is residue in the detergent?

 

[spyrosmom]

My sports bras get that smell sometimes. Not sure? My guess is my sweat w/ whatever detergent or poss soap/lotion I'm using. It only happens when I sweat hard and heavy, and not all the time. Doesn't happen to my regular clothes. Not sure.

Nan

 

[Ffte]

I have also experienced this and....
Your body can produce ammonia. No, I'm not making this up. They actually make pills to help prevent this.

http://www.hammernutrition.com/za/H...=4031&uir=ad.prodmain,11078,Anti-Fatigue Caps

 

[Ffte]

Oh and here is an article that explains why it happens.

http://runningdoctor.runnersworld.com/2008/05/why-does-my-swe.html

 

[netsnotes16]

I recently read if there is an ammonia smell, burning muscle and not fat. That has happened to me.

 

[Ffte]

I recently read if there is an ammonia smell, burning muscle and not fat.

Not exactly... It means you're using amino acids, not muscle directly not according to the article I linked in my last post...

I found an even better article on this..

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm

Near the bottom of the article I linked above is the following:

"The next time you smell ammonia, don't worry. It doesn't mean that your muscle tissue being broken down, and it doesn't mean that you're doomed to stink for the rest of eternity. "


ETA: The tips to avoid this include drinking more water and increasing carb intake.

 

[aveggiegirl]

I recently read if there is an ammonia smell, burning muscle and not fat. That has happened to me.

Yikes!

 

[aveggiegirl]

Not exactly... It means you're using amino acids, not muscle directly not according to the article I linked in my last post...

I found an even better article on this..

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm

Near the bottom of the article I linked above is the following:

"The next time you smell ammonia, don't worry. It doesn't mean that your muscle tissue being broken down, and it doesn't mean that you're doomed to stink for the rest of eternity. "


ETA: The tips to avoid this include drinking more water and increasing carb intake.

I haven't read the article yet, but I drink tons of water all day long! (At LEAST 9 cups, plus milk from breakfast, 2 cups of coffee and 1 diet pepsi.) How could I drink any more??? Sorry, I have no intention of giving up the diet pepsi.

 

[aveggiegirl]

Not exactly... It means you're using amino acids, not muscle directly not according to the article I linked in my last post...

I found an even better article on this..

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm

Near the bottom of the article I linked above is the following:

"The next time you smell ammonia, don't worry. It doesn't mean that your muscle tissue being broken down, and it doesn't mean that you're doomed to stink for the rest of eternity. "


ETA: The tips to avoid this include drinking more water and increasing carb intake.

Thanks for the article, Ffte.

Hmmm, I'm puzzled. I drink lots of water and believe me, I eat my carbs with every meal. I wonder if this has anything to do with my new Insanity rotation????? It's pushing me harder than anything I've ever done before. Just wondering.

 

[Ffte]

I haven't read the article yet, but I drink tons of water all day long! (At LEAST 9 cups, plus milk from breakfast, 2 cups of coffee and 1 diet pepsi.) How could I drink any more??? Sorry, I have no intention of giving up the diet pepsi.

He! Well drinking more water was only one of the suggestions that may help. You can also increase your carbs or eat a small meal an hour before your workout. Don't worry I'm not trying to get you to give up your diet pepsi.

 

[aveggiegirl]

Oh and here is an article that explains why it happens.

http://runningdoctor.runnersworld.com/2008/05/why-does-my-swe.html

Looks like I get to eat MORE CARBS!!!

 

[spyrosmom]

Looks like I get to eat MORE CARBS!!!

Yay!!!! This is good, bc I certainly can't suck down anymore water or liquids. My eyeballs will float out. I should pay attention to what days it happens and what I've been eating/drinking when it does. Interesting topic. I thought I was just funky smelling sometimes

Nan

 

[Ffte]

Yay!!!! This is good, bc I certainly can't suck down anymore water or liquids. My eyeballs will float out. I should pay attention to what days it happens and what I've been eating/drinking when it does. Interesting topic. I thought I was just funky smelling sometimes

Nan

This hasn't happened often to me, but I'm going to make sure I drink more before my workout. I drink plenty of water throughout the day (usually), but since I workout first thing in the morning, I may not get enough prior to my workout. I'll start tracking the amount of water I drink prior and see what happens.


veggiegirl, It could have to do with your Insanity rotation. If you are burning more calories then in the past, you may not have as many carbs and fat in available to burn. If you backed off on the carbs and fat in your diet by a little, or even just your overall calorie intake, then it stands to reason the amount of carbs and fat that are available to burn will have gone down.

 

[MAYNARDSMOM]

This whole thread ties into one I was going topost today regarding my gloves smelling!! (weight lifting gloves) Mine stink like vinegar to me, I have washed them several times & it seems to come back sooner each time!
????????????????

 

[CLD]

This hasn't happened often to me, but I'm going to make sure I drink more before my workout. I drink plenty of water throughout the day (usually), but since I workout first thing in the morning, I may not get enough prior to my workout. I'll start tracking the amount of water I drink prior and see what happens.


veggiegirl, It could have to do with your Insanity rotation. If you are burning more calories then in the past, you may not have as many carbs and fat in available to burn. If you backed off on the carbs and fat in your diet by a little, or even just your overall calorie intake, then it stands to reason the amount of carbs and fat that are available to burn will have gone down.

I read in a book I have (it's called The Body Sculpting Bible for Women) that if you work out first thing in the morning, you should drink at least 16 oz of cold water before you start. I think they said you can go up to 32 oz (it's been a long time since I've read it, so don't go by that number!!!), but there's no way I can chug that much water before I start a workout & not be affected by it!! I do drink at least 16 oz, wait about 15 mins (which is how long it usually takes me to set up anyway), and then I do my workout. I've been doing this for a couple years now, and it's worked well for me. Anyway, just food for thought!

 

[Ffte]

I read in a book I have (it's called The Body Sculpting Bible for Women) that if you work out first thing in the morning, you should drink at least 16 oz of cold water before you start. I think they said you can go up to 32 oz (it's been a long time since I've read it, so don't go by that number!!!), but there's no way I can chug that much water before I start a workout & not be affected by it!! I do drink at least 16 oz, wait about 15 mins (which is how long it usually takes me to set up anyway), and then I do my workout. I've been doing this for a couple years now, and it's worked well for me. Anyway, just food for thought!

Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to get 16oz from now on. I'm not consistant with how much water I drink. Sometimes it is probably 16oz and sometimes it's probably closer to 10 or so.

maynardmom,
Vinegar that's a new one. After a quick prayer to the google gods, here was the best I was able to come up with. Not sure if any of it is true.

This one actually talks about the underside of your breast/bra smelling and mentioned yeast infection as a cause, but also mentions things to try before seeking medical attention including showering daily and changing your bra daily. I'm sure you shower daily , however you probably don't wash your gloves often (I know I don't).

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/999454/do_underneath_your_breasts_smell_like.html?cat=5

I also saw a mention of diabeties as a cause (but that seems to be mentioned whenever I look up a symptom)

Perhaps you can start by washing your gloves more often and then seeing how quickly you see the odor return.... If it becomes a big concern consult a doctor.