Smelly base-layers?

aidso

Is it a sign of a base-layer getting old, if it starts to smell? I've an Altura (several actually) and after a short amount of time it starts to pong bad - like it had been sitting damp for a few hours - but I've only been wearing it for half an hour.

cooldad

I recommend a washing machine.

aidso

I chuck them in the washing machine, 30 degreess quick spin sometimes with and some without washing powder...

Chunkers1980

Why? Proper wash, proper detergent

pilch

Wash as quick as poss when you take it off and also check your washing machine, they can harbour all kinds of bacteria and gunk which builds up inside so your stuff never gets properly 'clean'. Then typically soon as you start to warm up the clothes get damp and start to smell again.

You can buy stuff that you run through on a wash that sorts it out

cooldad

Chunkers1980 wrote:

Why? Proper wash, proper detergent

This^^^^^^^^

I have super fancy washing machine covered on knob, buttons and flashing lights. Even a timer.

No idea why.

Everything goes in on one setting (No 4 FWIW). And I mean everything.

bennett_346

cooldad wrote:

Everything goes in on one setting (No 4 FWIW). And I mean everything.

I thought you wore lots of pink for other reasons than that.

majormantra

My oldest base layer (Endura) seems to have its own distinctive odour now. It's pretty gross.

I recommend merino to avoid smells. I have a Rapha one that I hardly ever wash, and it smells absolutely fine.

paulleary

Try biological powder/ liquid and increase wash temp ideally to 60 if garment will allow . 30 deg and non bio don't kill/ remove the bacteria that reside in the base later when they get sweaty

Tigger con carne

You need to wash it at a higher temperature to kill bugs that make the smells. Whatever the instructions say, do them at that temperature. Drying them on a line will make them fresher

EDIT: Incidentally, biological washing powders only work at low wash temperatures. Any old detergent will work as well as any other at high temperature

stubs

4 tablespoons of Sodium Bicarbonate in a bucket of hand hot water and leave the clothes to soak over night put in washing machine on a rinse cycle to get rid of the bicarb. The Sodium Bicarb is an anti bacterial and its bacteria that makes your top pong.

aidso

Ok I shall give it a bash

97th choice

I have some very old under armour kit that still smells fine.

I recommend a good wife.

cooldad

97th choice wrote:

I have some very old under armour kit that still smells fine.

I recommend a good wife.

I'd give you mine, but she wasn't good, and she's gone.

.blitz

As above kill the little feckers with fire or at least use non-bio and a 60 degree wash. Can also keep them in the freezer which works well for anything that is difficult to dry

homers_double

aidso wrote:

Ok I shall give it a bash

OK, then go do some washing.

fat_homer

I know what your getting at, my Gore softshell went the same way. This stuff does the trick for me:

Chunkers1980

Breathable shite does need the right detergent, other stuff can just use normal and a good wash, not forgetting to dry it quickly.

coulddobetter

You could try washing yourself as well as the clothes.

CYCLESPORT1

Shower with it on - simples

BigAl

pilch wrote:

also check your washing machine, they can harbour all kinds of bacteria and gunk which builds up inside so your stuff never gets properly 'clean'

You can buy stuff that you run through on a wash that sorts it out

Quite true.

Best way to keep the machine clean is to run a 90 degree wash every week or two. Run empty or with just a hand towel or something. Will clear all the gunk out that 40 degrees can't

Our machine is over 10 years old, runs every day and is clean as a whistle.

Like a bike really - just do some basic maintenance to keep everything running nicely

bike beast

put the clothes in a bucket of water with white vinegar after you used them, then wash them in a machine.

Angus Young

Marino. Fact.

BigAl

Dan Marino does your washing?

Oh, merino wool, got it now

Angus Young

BigAl wrote:

Dan Marino does your washing?

No, Frank Marino. Does a fantastic job.