Smelly cycle kit - what to do?

[Schneil]

I thought the commuting forum would be a good place to ask this.
My bike clothes are getting really smelly and my workmates are complaining!
My tops and base layers are polyester, so are my shorts. even though I wash them regularly, the are building up smells.
What's the best way of getting your kit de-oderised?

 

[sabian92]

I found that washing on a lower temperature kept the smells in - I was washing my base layer on 30 when it needed a 60 wash, and as a result it was smelling even when it had just come out of the wash. Try that? Make sure it won't shrink though.

 

[CopperCyclist]

Not an issue I've had I'm afraid - once my clothes have been through the wash they are clean and no longer smell! They may be sweaty after the next ride in, but nothing to get concerned about. Maybe it's a storage issue? Does your workplace give you facilities to store them?

 

[Schneil]

The clothes say wash at 30 or 40, so I wash at 30. I was thinking 60 would probably be better at killing bacteria.
I've seen this online, anyone tried it?
http://www.lifestyle.com.au/tv/lush-house/videos.aspx#/lushhouse/FCFF0B7D/smelly-polyester

 

[Schneil]

Not an issue I've had I'm afraid - once my clothes have been through the wash they are clean and no longer smell! They may be sweaty after the next ride in, but nothing to get concerned about. Maybe it's a storage issue? Does your workplace give you facilities to store them?

No I have to put them in a drawer. I don't think sealing the pong in helps!

 

[Bman]

Drying clothes outside, in the sun I find is a good way to eliminate those smells

 

[BSRU]

The sweatier you are the more often they need to be washed, in these temperatures every day.
Having two sets means I can wash/dry one set and wear the other set, so they always start the day fresh and not wiffy.

 

[calibanzwei]

Reminds me, need to do my laundry when I get home!

 

[snapper_37]

No I have to put them in a drawer.

There's your answer as to the smelly kit I suspect. Never had a problem after washing and my kit gets either air dried out in my office or on a radiator.

 

[Norm]

My tops are made from coffee beans (other fabrics are available, such as merino) and they don't smell even if I wear them every day for a week without washing them. (I only tried it the once, controlled experiment and not on a commute!)

Polyester is bad for picking up and retaining odours and they'll just get worse if you are keeping the tops in a drawer through the day. Fresh air (hang them outside) is a good sanitiser but getting tops made from the right fabric will be better in the long term, IMO.

 

[martint235]

I just asked for an extra coatstand. I politely informed colleagues that there would be smelly cycle kit on it and that I wouldn't advise hanging their posh jacket next to it. It's all gone swimmingly well so far.

Oh and you do wash your kit every day don't you?

 

[coffeejo]

Soaking clothes in white vinegar and/or washing with white vinegar and baking soda are supposed to be good for banishing bad odours.

 

[jonny jeez]

Buy more stuff

 

[CopperCyclist]

No I have to put them in a drawer. I don't think sealing the pong in helps!

If this is really your only choice, and you have no where to hang them to dry, I'd recommend getting a second cheap rucksack, keeping a Febreze air freshener in it and trying to keep the smell sealed up! It's not good though, you really need a drying room somewhere...

 

[ianrauk]

As wot others have said/asked...

You need clean gear every day.