Getting the stink out of jerseys and other clothes

The mildew like smell has gotten pretty bad since I started wearing my biking jerseys to the hot yoga classes (I will talk more about them more later). They smell okay when washed and taken out of the drier, but as soon as my perspiration hits, I smell like a dead man even though I generously apply an anti-perspiration deodorizer to myself.

This isn't really a problem when riding, but it is when you are in an enclosed space with others with temperatures over 100. I don't want to be the one to smell. (I think I just lost all the invites to group rides ).

I have pulled lots of stuff on this topic from the web. The only remedy I have tried is vinegar. Now my jersey smells like a dead body covered in vinegar. What has worked for you? Or do you just smell like a rose all the time?

 

If you're washing in a cool water setting that usually doesn't help with killing bacteria and unfortunately many of the newer "energy saving" washers (especially front loaders) mix in cold water even in the hot wash settings. If the jerseys can stand it I'd try hot and if your washer has a high-temp sanitizing mode give that a try. If they're color safe a small amount of bleach and a warm setting may do the trick. I've also used baking soda on occasion with certain wash as its good at absorbing scents. Tide also make a detergent for sports and activity clothing that has Febreze mixed in and I use that on occasion but it leaves a pretty strong detergent type smell (although Febreze does attach to an neutralize a lot of odors).

Also if you're using a front loader they are notorious about stuff starting to grow behind the drum and other nasty smells forming in them and transferring to your laundry, especially if you get in the habit of closing the door right after the load and primarily use cold wash settings. There are some cleaning products on the market but you're better off adding a lot of bleach to a hot, empty load once a month or so and make sure to leave the door open when not in use. After buying a new washer/dryer set a while back and reading up on stuff like this I wish I would have just kept my 30-year old Maytag top loader and using the few extra gallons of water per cycle. :lol:

 

Great info in first reply. Also try a presoak for 2-4 hours in Oxyclean and then wash in Tide Sport w/Febreeze. Skip the dryer and hang dry instead.

**Try different workout clothing brands**
I noticed that Addidas Climacool fabrics tend to retain smell more.
Nike Sphere woven technical fabrics seems to be more neutral and work better at managing perspiration.
YMMV...

 

Baking soda and oxiclean in the wash load with your detergent does the trick. The 'Hot' cycle in your washer machine is not enough to take care of it.

And yes if front load (which I have) check your seal up front for a loose piece of clothing. This happened and we could not figure out why our clothes were so bad. Had a stuck sock that was spreading stink to every load.

 

+1 for OxiClean. Look good, smell good.
Buy the big box at Costco for under $20, and it will last for months.
I use it with every load of wash.

 

Mira-zyme works great on tents, etc. It's made to eradicate mildew at a molecular level. About 5 bucks a small bottle which contains several treatments worth. REI carries it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTpXh33Mbeg




shitty

 

I have that problem with hockey gear......

It is the bacteria as stated above. A cheap, simple solution would be it put your clothes in a plastic bag and then put them in the freezer overnight. This will kill the bacteria. I use to do that with my gloves if I forgot to get them out of the bag in time.

 

My massage sheets always retain the smell of the lotion I use. I use vinegar and oxiclean and they don't smell.

http://www.vinegartips.com/Scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=8

 

Or lots of febreeze. That was only thing to do on goalie equip

 

goalies always smell the worst! lol

 

+1 on Hot water, oxyclean, and soaking. I know you don't want to project the wrong image in yoga class, but perhaps get some cheap yoga gear? Like a man-tank-top and something between spandex and shorts. If you don't have anything directly in contact with your pits in class it probably will cut down on the transfer of stink to your clothes......

 

Same issue with my lacrosse gear and now with my MTB stuff.
I use this stuff: WIN Detergent. It really works. And you don't have to use super hot water. I just use it with the cold/cold setting. You can get it pretty cheap off of Amazon, too.

 

x2 for using WIN. Be careful, the cap tends to leak.

 

Yeah, keep them upright. The mold hole at top center is very thin on some of them! #-o

 

While we are on the subject ... recommendations on cleaning the "attached" straps on helmets?

 

I put a cap full of Hydrogen Peroxide in a full load and then air dry. It always works for my stuff.

 

For helmet straps, take it in the shower with you and use shampoo.

 

ive noticed that too, especially with my camelbak. the part of the straps that run under the armpit area just marinate all ride long. i hate it because my jersey will be fresh/clean out of the wash, then like 20 minutes or so into the ride the pungent camelbak straps spring to life.

i need to try that freezer trick for my hockey gloves. i air them out right after my game, febreeze them the next morning, but they still smell like ass.