Stinky Jerseys?

[cycling@42]

How do you get the sour sweat smell that has been washed into the jerseys out? My DH thought perhaps they should be washed with baking soda. Does anyone have any words of wisdom?

Thank you!

[OakLeaf]

Baking soda and sun-drying will prevent odors from building up. I don't know how well they'll do at removing odors that are already there, though.

[Grits]

I have had some success with soaking items in some white vinegar/water solution. I don't have any specific measurements, just put some water in a bucket and add some vinegar. Then I wash mine in the delicate cycle.

[tribogota]

and how to get the smell out of the straps of my camelbak that smell too, since they are under my arm????

[sundial]

Have you tried removing the bladder and soaking the Camelbak in mild detergent? I've put mine in a sweater laundry bag and washed it on delicate in the washing machine and air dried it. Make sure everything is out of the pack first.

Another thing I've done is pour rubbing alcohol on the offensive material and letting it set for a couple of minutes than laundering it.

[Becky]

I use washing soda added with the detergent to remove odors, and white vinegar in the softener cup to remove soap residue.

[Mr. SR500]

WIN detergent, best stuff ever...

http://www.windetergent.com/

[ny biker]

If you use the dryer rather than hanging them to dry, use a low heat/permanent press cycle, not high heat.

[silver]

WIN detergent, best stuff ever...

http://www.windetergent.com/

ditto (you got the new TTX?)

[Irulan]

WIN is nothing but regular detergent with oxyclean added. It's a ripoff ismho...
From the website, "The super oxygenated formula in Win Detergent...". Super oxygenated means oxygen booster which is the same thing as oxyclean.

try the Stinky Bike Gear recipe
Soak in "Biz" overnight, at least 12 hours. this is an enzyme
based presoak that goes after organic matter, not your regular presoak.
Then, rinse that out and then run through the wash with a laundry product
called Oxyclean, which is not an detergent it's an additive. You should be
able to get that at any supermarket

Other laundry notes:
pack, armor, gloves can be washed in the washer. Put in a laundry bag or a pillow case to keep straps from getting tangled.

No Dryer.

Do not use fabric softener on wicking fabrics. It coats the fibers so they don't work properly.

Helmets, hose off and air dry.

Hand washing, use baby shampoo not Woolite. Woolite is a detergent with conditioners added to make things feel soft. Baby shampoo is a mild as it gets plus it's lot cheaper.

(my day job is a technical fabrics specialist)

[deeaimond]

Thanks Irulan, and yr day job is your qualifier... hahha

I've never liked fabric softener coz it feels sticky after the washing is done. I know some people who use it like a laundry cure-all... And I never like sticking technical fabrics in the dryer. It air-dries so quickly. Better for the environment that way right? less dryer use?

[shootingstar]

I've never liked fabric softener coz it feels sticky after the washing is done. I know some people who use it like a laundry cure-all... And I never like sticking technical fabrics in the dryer. It air-dries so quickly. Better for the environment that way right? less dryer use?

Air-drying is nice for any wicking tech. fabrics.

I've never used fabric softener in my life nor was raised in a household that used fabric softener and can't see any compelling reason to do so in the future.

[Owlie]

Hand washing, use baby shampoo not Woolite. Woolite is a detergent with conditioners added to make things feel soft. Baby shampoo is a mild as it gets plus it's lot cheaper.

(my day job is a technical fabrics specialist)

I don't know if it's true for wool cycling gear, but I from what I learned (I knit) that one should use just regular (not baby) shampoo on wool, because baby shampoo is supposed to be gentle on skin, whereas regular shampoo is supposed to be gentle on hair, which is essentially what wool is. *shrugs*

[Irulan]

I don't know if it's true for wool cycling gear, but I from what I learned (I knit) that one should use just regular (not baby) shampoo on wool, because baby shampoo is supposed to be gentle on skin, whereas regular shampoo is supposed to be gentle on hair, which is essentially what wool is. *shrugs*

you may be right about that. What I do know is that Woolite is full of junk.

[PamNY]

Soak in "Biz" overnight, at least 12 hours.

Does "Biz" still exist? I assume it does or you wouldn't mention it, but I haven't seen it in a store in years.

Pam