Question: Over time, the synthetic materials used for cycling jerseys and base layers seem to retain a sweaty smell. In my case, at least, it can be pretty potent. It has only one advantage — no one will draft on me! How can I get my clothes to smell fresh again? — Steve H.
RBR Replies: Synthetic fibers are a great advance in cycling clothing. Depending on the type and application, they can absorb moisture, dry quickly or keep you relatively warm when they’re wet. Plus, it’s easy to print words on them so you can ride around looking like a billboard.
But nearly all synthetics have one drawback, and you nailed it: They retain odor. It seems that once a jersey or base layer is worn, no amount of washing can truly remove the stench. It’ll smell okay when you put it on, fresh from the drying rack, but five minutes of sweating brings back the evil aroma.
Generally, the higher-quality the garment, the better washing will eliminate the smell. This is mainly because you can safely wash these materials in hotter water.
Some folks pour a little vinegar into the machine when washing workout clothes; it seems to work pretty well. There are also specific laundry detergents that claim to beat the stink, and we’ve covered all our different reader laundry detergent tips here.
You could also switch to wool undergarments. Wool can be worn many times even without washing before it begins to smell. Modern wool garments are lightweight, non-itchy and won’t shrink when washed. They absorb sweat well and might limit how much gets into your jersey’s synthetic fabric.
One of the best and simplest ways to prevent your clothes from getting stinky is to not throw them in a hamper or a pile when they’re still damp after a ride. If I’m not going to launder my riding clothes right away – which I rarely do – I hang them up to dry. This prevents the bacterial growth that leads to odors. Once they’re dry, I can toss them in with other laundry and wash them when it’s convenient, without them developing lingering foul smells.
During sweaty summer months, I hang wet clothes up in front of a fan using an accordion type drying rack ($13 to $25). I also dry my shoes, socks, gloves and helmet this way.
I second vinegar as an excellent funky smell remover. I fill the fabric softener compartment to the MAX mark with vinegar before starting my washing machine..
DO NOT use fabric softener on your cycling kit. Fabric softener will clog up the fibres and the prevent sweat wicking properties of your kit.
I use the Outdoor Care setting on my Samsung washing machine. That setting is for outdoor clothes, skiwear and sportswear that are made of function materials such as spandex, stretch and microfiber. In other words, cycling kit.
And I agree with Brian’s comment that if you are not going to launder your cycling kit right away, hang it up so it can dry, rather than leave it in a damp pile to fester.
@Brian : Good tip. I would go one step further and rinse them in water first, before hanging to dry while waiting for the wash. Helps to dilute the salt and other stuff imbedded in the fabrics, which may cause premature degrading of the fibers.
Another tip: Vinegar never worked for me, Pre-soaking in Oxi-Clean or a similar product – fir an hour or so, before washing seems to work better.
If not washing right away then definitely hang things up to thoroughly dry before tossing them in a hamper.
I live in the Northeast and the products I’m about to list are readily available in most stores. I don’t know about other areas of the country.
I use Hex brand laundry detergent which is specifically made for athletic clothes. They have a couple of very light scents in addition to unscented. They also sell a pre-treater that’s great for getting out stinky under arm odor. They also sell Hex in laundry pods, but I prefer buying the larger bottle that’s all liquid. It’s not a thick liquid like typical laundry detergent. It literally pours out as if it’s water.
I also use Lysol laundry sanitizer while washing with the Hex detergent. You load that into the area of your washer where fabric softener would go. They now sell a sport version of sanitizer, but there’s no need – the regular sanitizer works just as well.
Depending on the set-in stink factor of your clothing you may have to do a couple cycles of wash as I’ve described, but if you use that pre-treater in the stinkiest spots, let it sit for at least a half hour (or more).
These two products get rid of the smell rather than covering it up as well as completely sanitizes. I wouldn’t wash my athletic clothes any other way.
I haven’t had any issues with mine smelling after I wash them. All I use is Costco Ecos laundry detergent, no boost aids, no vinegar, no nothing else, no pre-rinsing, and then I follow the jersey manufacturer washing label which they ALL say to wash in COLD water not hot, put my Speed Queen washer on handwash cycle. I do have a soak cycle and an extra rinse cycle, so the washing machine soaks the jerseys for about 45 minutes, then washes, rinses, and then hits them with a 2nd rinse. Never have any residue odor after washing. I also toss them in the dryer when done, but I put them on the gentle cycle so they come out slightly damp then I hang them to dry the rest of the way.
By the way, all that second rinse is doing is making sure all residue detergent is completely out of the clothes, it’s not doing anything to remove smell, the soak and wash cycles did that.
For many years, I’ve been washing my cycling clothing using Halo https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295571782214 and a 30-degree cycle in my washing machine
(Since most of you are in the US, that’s 86 degrees in old money)
Or ditch synthetics – we don’t need more plastic in this world – and just switch to wool jerseys, especially in the winter. Wear them every day and don’t worry about stink. Wash them after five rides or even less frequently. Used this way, wool jerseys can replace a few synthetic ones.
Many good suggestions and I also use vinegar with a healthy dose of baking soda. Put both ingredients in a sealable container using enough to soak the garment. let sit for an hour or so and then you can throw this in the wash with the rest of your kit. This treatment seems to kills odors for a few rides before you need to do it again.
This is also mentioned in the detergent writeup linked above: I first got Win sports detergent from my LBS, it’s worked great for me for years, I get mine thru amazon now.
And yes, I never let sweaty clothes dry in a pile, I get them dried out hung up as soon as possible. Sometimes I’ll rinse clothing in the sink and wring to damp-dry by rolling up in a towel.
Another thing to try is a bike commuter lifehack for workplaces without showers: shower at home before riding. It can help prevent stink from getting into clothes in the first place.
I found that switching to Arm & Hammer unscented anti-perspirant keeps my gear fresh longer.
I’ve been using a product called Angry Orange. Made to get animal smells out. I soak my synthetic clothes overnight and wash them the next day. I’ll agree with another that having them dry quickly first also helps.
I know I am OCD. I need none of you to state this 🙂
I take a post-ride shower with my kit – helmet & shoe liners also with a small cap of laundry detergent. Hang to dry and done!
20-Mule Team Borax. Otherwise I wear wool. I once did a test on wool: After 7 wearings with no wash, still no smell.