Humidity-Proof Clothing for SE Asia: Fabrics, Colors & Odor Fixes That Actually Work"

Jan 28

Introduction

Hey everyone, I'm Joe Gilbert. After exploring the Philippines on motorcycle for over three years, I’m no stranger to the heat and humidity here. I’ve dealt with the, sweat, the wet nasty clothes and even the smell as I transitioned from cotton to the modern hi-tech clothes in an attempt to stay cooler. The Good news is, I’ve pretty much figured out what actually works for clothing in the Philippines and also what doesn’t. Hopefully, the information I share today will help those on the way or those already here and struggling with nasty smelling hi-tech clothing. If you’ve already arrived and bought into the modern activewear, and have yet to discover the problem with smell. You will. It’s only a matter of time before you put on your freshly washed shirt step outside and almost immediately start smelling body odor, and nope, it’s not the person next to you that smells so bad.

The core problem

The core problem in Southeast Asia is the extreme heat and humidity—often (85-95°F) with 80%+ humidity. My old clothes (cotton) would be drenched in sweat and stay wet practically all day long. I now relegate cotton to evenings in the cool season. I also tired of ironing my clothes everyday. I’ve discovered what I think are the best shirts and shorts and bought a closet full of the same quick drying synthetic items. Call me lazy, but life sure is easier with Cool comfortable clothes, no ironing and with the secret I’ll share later, no smell. We’ll get back to them soon. Let’s carry on..

Quick-drying synthetic problems. They seemed promising at first, but they held onto bacteria and started to smell bad after a few weeks, even after washing. As soon as my body heat kicked in my freshly washed clothes began to smell..

Color was an issue too. Dark-colored clothes made me feel even hotter under the sun, and light colors showed every drip of sweat making me look and feel like a slob. Also, with virtually no hair on my head, UV exposure was a constant issue. Combined, These problems can make simple daily activities a royal pain in the as*.

So here are the problems in bullet format:

UV exposure
Sweaty nasty uncomfortable clothes showing all the sweat stains
Probable Health issues like rashes and fungal infections from wearing wet clothes all day.
Smelling like you haven’t bathed in a year.

Those are the reasons you need to be smart in your clothing choices. If you don't address these clothing issues, they will compound quickly. You'll end up with a higher risk of skin cancer due to UV exposure, skin irritation or fungal infection from trapped moisture, and ongoing body odor will affect your confidence in social settings. Here’s the kick in the butt… Even making the right clothing decision will leave you smelling like a swamp thing without the proper laundry treatment.

Main clothing options..

Cotton: Cotton is considered the best overall by many. It's highly breathable, comfortable, and naturally resists odors better than synthetics in humid conditions.

However, pure cotton requires ironing, absorbs a lot of sweat, and dries slowly in high humidity, so you’re probably going to feel pretty nasty with a shirt stuck to your body all day. For those reasons, I don’t often wear cotton.

Hi-Tech Synthetics: For quicker drying clothes, use modern quick-dry synthetics, but know they trap bacteria leading to re-emerging smells from body heat if not treated properly.

No matter your choice, go for light color if you don’t mind seeing sweat stains. They reflect sunlight better to keep you cooler. Dark colors do absorb heat and feel hotter in the sun, though they hide sweat stains. I choose to wear dark colors and also Carry a compact umbrella for UV protection and to keep the heat off of me. This combination keeps me feeling cool and looking presentable.

One thing to note, some people choose to wear a hat, but I think an umbrella is more effective and definitely a less sweaty option than wearing a hat.

Odor Killing Laundry Treatment

And here is the secret to keeping the bacteria and odor out of your synthetic clothes. Add about half a cap of pine oil soap to every load—it kills the bacteria that cause the body odor in synthetics and keeps everything fresher longer. I've made this a habit, and find it to be a reliable and effective solution.

Recap and Science

Studies and textile reviews confirm synthetics like polyester harbor more odor-causing bacteria than cotton, leading to smells returning faster even after washing due to bacterial retention. Cotton resists odors better in humid environments.

Dark fabrics absorb more sunlight and raise surface temperature significantly compared to light colors, making you hotter in direct sun. Light colors reflect heat for better cooling, but sweat shows more prominently.

UV umbrellas are widely used in Southeast Asia. They block a high percentage of UVA/UVB without adding heat like heavy clothing.

Pine essential oil (or pine oil-based products) have antimicrobial properties that eliminate musty bacteria odors. My personal experiences validate all of the above. I now use half a cap of pine oil detergent per load consistently, and the odor is no longer an issue with synthetic fabrics..

Again, Making synthetics with appropriate care the best overall choice for me.

Call to action

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If you’re moving to the Philippines from a cooler part of the US, These tips will go a long way in helping you acclimate to the tropical heat.

As always,

Better thinking does equal a better life,

Joe out!