I've searched the forum unsuccessfully. My problem is my kit isn't worn out, but it is smelly. 30 or 40 degree washes after each use don't seem to deal with odours very well. Any top tips on laundry aids to eliminate the smell?
I don't use fabric conditioner as it reduces wicking characteristics. I do use a biological detergent.
I stink!
Put it straight into water to soak as soon as you take it off.
I have not had this problem (yet!?!) but I often read that there are specialist detergents you can buy...
I use Halo sports wash (I buy it in Sainsbury’s). It has quite a powerful scent but it does seem to kill the bacteria that cause our kit to pong!
On the shopping list...
We've used Halo for 2 years now. Works a treat 👍🏻 30 degrees, no issues, and some of our cycling gear can really pong!
I didn't think you were meant to use biological detergent so I have been using e-cover non-bio on my and Stanley's gear, and I don't think we've had a problem with smells (and his gets very wet during running)
I thought the enzymes might help. They don't seem to!
How are you drying the clothes? If they're not completely dry when they're put away or if they take a long time to dry (perhaps inside rather than outside) then that can make them smell a bit.
Try natural remedies like soaking them in a cupful of baking soda or white vinegar before you wash them.
I dry outside on the washing line whenever possible. Otherwise clothes horse. They are always dry before going away.
I do the white vinegar trick. Need something more powerful!
I add a cup or two of white vinegar to my wash, it works and it cuts down on soap build up in the hoses 
PS - I only use cold water btw. Never have had any problems with any clothes all these years, even when my kids were young and would come home covered in god knows what
I add vinegar and we have a water softener so no build up. It probably doesnt help that my son's football and ice hockey kit goes in the same wash, but I know I can't blame it all on that. It's my armpits and yes, I use anti persiprant...
Mr Sqkr has a fancy sports wash that he uses on his stuff (I think it's called Halo?), along with copious amounts of vinegar in the drum. I am lazy and so put all my clothes through at 40* biological with no softener no matter what they are and haven't had a problem yet, but they can get a little fusty if I put them too close together on the horse when drying. I'm rambling and that doesn't really help, sorry. Maybe try the Halo wash!
Oh yes, and sometimes the smell can come from a bacterial build up in the washing machine itself, our old one (rented house, yuck) used to go a bit grotty in the tubes between the soap drawer and the drum. You can't get to it, but a bleach wash every now and then might help.
I do put a Dr Beckett's washing machine cleaner through periodically and a 95 degree wash as you are right, the machine itself gets a bit musty even just doing "normal" washing let alone the challenge of sports kit.
Let's hope the Halo helps get my stuff smelling angelic again (or at least not get any worse).
I discovered by chance that spraying running gear with a stain removing spray will work a treat at getting rid of odours. I’ve used Shout but own brands seem to work just as well. Worth a try👍
I use Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser along with my usual washing detergent, which seems to work.
I use Ecover non bio (all else irritates my skin) and wash at 30 for 30 minutes. No smell that I can detect, and I do come back from runs on very hot days with a discernible ... um .. aura, though not overwhelmingly pongy like the woman who ran past me the other day. I think ju-ju mentioned dettol or some such additive, and a lot of people use Halo.
There are some real stinkers at my local Parkrun!!
Yuck! I only smell anything when I strip my running gear off
I’ve just gone back to bio as I wonder if non bio at 30 degrees doesn’t kill off bacteria. It’s just another thing in a long list of things i’m Trying to get rid of sudden onset rash. Doc says it’s psoriasis but i’m Not convinced 🤔
Are you getting it anywhere that might be from rubbing? I started getting a rash lower back and around belly button. Started using bodyglide on both areas pre-run... problem gone. I think the heat and damp shorts were the culprit.
I am thinking along those lines I popped into SD as I’ve seen BG in there before but they’d got none I tucked my run vest down my tights yesterday, very neatly, i’m Removing labels in everything
It’s a game innit 🤨
I get mine on Ebay... usually cheapest! 🤣 actually I tucked my top in at front which is how I figured out my belly button was getting chafed inside somehow!! 👍🏻🤣🤣
Navel chafe too 🤨. Been running yonks so why does this crop up now 🤷♀️ Most odd 🤔
Finding this post really interesting as i have that with a pair of leggings. I heard that to kill bacteria you can put stuff in a plastic bag in the freezer. I think I’ll try that with them!
Interesting! What shall we have for dinner...rummage through the freezer...roast leggings?!
That would probably be an acquired taste...
Winter running kit
Second HM - big improvement in time
Top HM training tips?
Thanking aliboo for the 'tip off'!🙂
Extreme marathon training tips?
