Sweaty Cycling Kit

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

I'm a bit concerned about some of my cycling kit smelling a little bit of old body when it's worn (after washing) and gets warm.

This suggests to me that my 30 degree / non-bio washes are not really getting it clean. When I get back from a ride, I hang the kit up to dry out, and when I've done another ride or two, then I'll stick it onto wash. I don't like putting the washer on for just one load of kit. Then it is line dried. It does smell fresh off the line and it does smell fresh when I put it on, at least to me, but I don't think it stays that way once it gets warm.

I was thinking about getting some detergent intended for sports gear with an antibacterial action. But these range in price from the affordable to the ridiculous.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[Webbo2]

Are you sure it’s your kit that’s smelly not you.😱 I wash my stuff at 30 degrees using what ever washing stuff is this week fashion with Mrs W. I have bought specialist stuff for washing sports gear but I didn’t notice any difference.
I’ve just noticed you hang it out to dry post ride pre wash. Mine goes in the bambooy wash basket thing, if there’s other cycling kit in there then one lots fresh sweaty and one lots old sweaty when they get washed.
My cycling club mates have so far not insisted that I ride at the back of the group rides although I do end up there anyhow.

 

[wafter]

What's it made of?

I find I can get many wears out of my merino wool gear before it starts to stink; providing I hang it up to give it a good airing after use (as you're evidently already doing). Leaving it to line dry outside for as long as possible will also help; I've done similar with some initially very musty feather pillow with good results.

I think "professional" clothes cleaners use steam to remove odours (although this probably isn't appropriate for all fabrics) while I'm very keen on getting an ozone generator for de-odorising spaces; and it did occur to me that you could stick it in a wardrobe to hotbox the contents as I have quite a bit of old clothing that's acquired that "long term storage" mustyness. If you take this route just be sure you read up on the safety jazz as you don't want to be breathing a lot of ozone!

 

[Webbo2]

What's it made of?

I find I can get many wears out of my merino wool gear before it starts to stink; providing I hang it up to give it a good airing after use (as you're evidently already doing). Leaving it to line dry outside for as long as possible will also help; I've done similar with some initially very musty feather pillow with good results.

I think "professional" clothes cleaners use steam to remove odours (although this probably isn't appropriate for all fabrics) while I'm very keen on getting an ozone generator for de-odorising spaces; and it did occur to me that you could stick it in a wardrobe to hotbox the contents as I have quite a bit of old clothing that's acquired that "long term storage" mustyness. If you take this route just be sure you read up on the safety jazz as you don't want to be breathing a lot of ozone!

Could you explain that in English.

 

[Mike_P]

Some Sainsbury's stock Halo Sports Wash (one litre) albeit now at £8 (sure it was £4-£5 last my nearest one stocked it)
An alternative to the overly expensive sports washes is to use non bio capsules with an antibacterial laundry sanitiser.

 

[wafter]

Could you explain that in English.

Which bits in particular are you finding challenging?

 

[bikingdad90]

The first part is your problem @PedallingNowhereSlowly.

When you take the kit off, rinse it in warm water to remove the bacteria, sweat and then dry it off. You would be amazed at what gets caught in your clothes that you can’t see. Did you know an average person going about their daily activities sweats around 1pint to 1 and 1/2 pints a day, even more if they exercise!

You are essentially air drying your sweat onto your clothes if you take them off and don’t rinse them. It also isn’t good for your skin either when you put it back on as it can cause hair follicular problems, not everyone is affected, just certain skin types.

 

[fossyant]

Wash my kit every ride on an eco wash. Then hang on hangers and dry with a dehumidifier, to ride again next morning.

Just wash them.

 

[StuAff]

Wash it, rinse it, dry it. Hand wash works just as well.

 

[albion]

A 60C wash helps as does occassional use of an

Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser. ​

 

[Pblakeney]

So, the original question is - Why does my kit smell when I've worn it for two or three rides?
It's because you've worn it for more than one ride. Simples.

 

[vickster]

In between those rides while it's hanging up, those stinky bacteria are multiplying on your stale sweat.
Wash it after every ride if you're sweaty use some antibacterial cleanser as above, merino is more forgiving. Polyester/nylon/lycra etc aren't!

 

[PaulSB]

With one exception I wash all my kit after every ride. If you are leaving sweaty kit to dry it's not surprising it smells. Our washing machine has a 30⁰ cycle that runs for 30 minutes. if it's only kit being washed the cycle can be shortened to 15 minutes . I either line dry, preferably, or on a clothes horse in the porch with the door/window open depending on the weather.

The exception to this is my winter jacket which can take 24 hours to dry indoors. I hang it out of the window to air and wash every 2 - 3 weeks.

Washing your kit will solve your problem.

 

[YMFB]

All of my cycling, gym, and yoga kit, including, shorts, gloves, HRM strap, socks, bib shorts/longs, vest, skull cap and jersey are thrown in a bucket after every session. My wife washes the household sports kit at 30 deg using regular detergent, which changes brand based on best price.

After line drying it is put away in boxes ready for use.

It never smells.

I have multiples of each item partly because, sports kit washing is probably three times a week and I use kit almost everyday.

 

[Punkawallah]

Anything bike that’s worn for a few hours gets a rinse out and line dry afterwards, even if it’s going into the wash basket. Sunshine (UV) should kill bacteria if exposed to it for long enough.