Natural fibres in next-to-skin textiles: current perspectives on human body odour

Abstract

This work highlights recent developments in understanding human body odour with particular attention to natural fibres used in next-to-skin textiles: fibre type and fabric structure affecting patterns of adsorption and release of volatile organic compounds known as contributing to body odour; methods for detection and judging intensity of odour; and effects of environmental pressures which impinge on cleaning textiles and its efficacy. That the type of fibre has a dominant effect on adsorption and release of volatile organic compounds is a common finding from multiple and varied investigations. Ranking body odour retained in textiles from least intense to most intense—wool, cotton, polyester/polyamide—is reasonably consistent irrespective of method. Blends of different fibres and re-use/up-cycling warrant investigation with respect to adsorption and release of volatile organic compounds.