The ultimate care guide for your Mtb gear and apparel.

Mountain biking gear like jerseys, gloves, and pads can end up smelling pretty rank, even after washing. 

 

Synthetic fabrics, often used in biking wear and protective gear, is usually the culprit of stinkiness in clothing or apparel you sweat in. Trying to get rid of that lingering odour can be especially frustrating. 

 

But fear not—with the proper care routine, you can keep your Mtb gear fresh, clean, and ready for your next big ride. 

Why does mountain biking gear start to smell like a gym bag?

Mountain biking gear and apparel use synthetic fibres for their performance and moisture-wicking capabilities. These fibres are both hydrophobic and oleophilic, which means they repel water but cling to oils from sweat. While the fabric's water-wicking properties help keep you cool and dry on rides, the oils and bacteria remain in the fibres. Bacteria then break down these oils, and the remnants get caught in the fibres, creating the root cause of unpleasant odours. When you hit the trails again, your body heats up, and you start to sweat, and the new sweat mixes with the old sweat. The heady mixture is wicked away and evaporates into the air, releasing those smells. This is the same thing that happens with the infamous and much-maligned "perma-stink" in gym clothes.

How come regular detergents and sanitisers don't remove odours?

Regular detergents are primarily designed to lift dirt and visible stains. These detergents can't break down those oils which bacteria leave behind that cause odours. Without the right enzymes, they often leave your mountain biking gear with some nasty surprises deep inside. 

 

Sanitisers kill bacteria, but they don't target the odour-causing compounds bacteria have already left behind. They disinfect but don't remove the sweat-based oils embedded in the fabric, which can leave behind lingering smells. A deeper clean that eliminates the odour-causing compounds is essential for keeping your mountain biking gear smelling like the day you bought it.

How to wash your mountain biking gear

Step 1: Prepare the load

  • Turn items inside out if you can. This little hack can protect logos or graphics printed on the outside your apparel or protective gear.
  • Pre-soak any really dirty gear. Before washing, soak heavily soiled items like jerseys, elbow and knee pads, and gloves in water. This will help loosen dirt, allowing the wash cycle to remove them a little easier.

Step 2: Add your detergent.

Using a mild detergent is best. You might think you need to deep clean with bleach or a harsh cleaner. These ingredients can damage the fabric. They can also ruin its moisture-wicking abilities and any graphics.

Avoid using fabric softeners in your washing cycle. These trap the residues that bacteria leave behind in the fibres, making them even harder to remove!

Step 3: Odour or bacterial control additives.

It's at this point that you can add your preferred remedies for extra bacterial reduction, or odour control. These may be vinegar, borax, or sports sanitisers, amongst others. Be aware, these may not fully eliminate the causes of recurring odours, which is where our additive Gear Guard comes in. 

 

Step 4: Wash on a cold, gentle cycle.

Hot water can shrink or warp synthetic fabrics, reducing their elasticity and performance. Use cold water and a gentle cycle to preserve your gears moisture-wicking, compression and protective properties.

How to dry your Mtb equipment

Air drying is ideal for synthetic mountain biking gear, as it prevents the high heat from dryers from setting any odours into the fabric, shrinking materials or damaging the protective inserts using in elbow and knee pads. Hang your gear in a well-ventilated area to dry, which also helps maintain its shape and performance properties. If you have no choice and need to use a dryer, opt for a no-heat or low-heat setting.

Common mistakes to avoid
  • Skipping washes: Always wash your gear after every ride. It prevents bacteria and sweat from setting in.
  • Using fabric softeners: These coat fibres, trapping odours and reducing breathability.
  • Leaving it in a bag: Damp, sweaty conditions are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
  • Exposure to high heat: Heat can damage synthetic fabrics in the dryer as well as inserts like D30 used in protective gear and armour.
  • Usage of harsh chemicals: Never use bleach or harsh chemicals to remove odours or stains.

Odour removal made easy with Gear Guard

Even with regular washing your mountain biking gear, or other things you sweat in, develop stubborn odours that won’t wash away. It may even get to the point where you need to throw the item away! Gear Guard tackles this problem of returning smells by breaking down the sweat residues that cause the odours, allowing them to be washed away easily and eliminating the source. 
Ther eis a bottle of Gear Guard in one hand, and the cap in the other, poised over the top of a washing machine with training gear in it. This shows that you only need one capful of Gear Guard in each load of washing.
A single bottle of Gear Guard sits on top of a purple rash guard. The rash guard is draped over the edge of a washing machine.
A capful of washing detergent is poured into a washing machine. This shows that Gear Guard works alongside of your existing laundry detergent.
A capful of Gear Guard is added to a load of washing.
A single bottle of Gear Guard odour removal concentrate on a wooden table in a martial arts gym setting, prominently displaying the Garame Cleaning Co logo and the slogan 'GET THE FUNK OUT.' The bottle is white with a label that has a light blue border, dark blue text and a simple, clean design.
Three bottles of Gear Guard odour removal concentrate displayed side by side on a timber surface, showcasing the mid-sized bundle option. The bottles are uniformly branded with a white bottle. The label has a sky blue border with dark blue writing. The Garame Cleaning Co logo is in the centre, Gear Guard written above and Get the funk out below.

Odour removal concentrate.

A laundry additive for the sweatiest things you own.

100% freshness guaranteed, or your money back!

From gym clothes to workwear - always fresh, clean and odour-free after every wash.

Meet your new laundry fixer. Gear Guard is a laundry additive that goes deep to eliminate the cause of stubborn smells in whatever you sweat in. With Gear Guard, they'll come out of the wash smelling like new, leaving you feeling fresh, clean, and ready for your next big challenge.

Proudly made in Australia

Try risk free!

Eliminates odours permanently

5% donated to a worthy cause

Proudly made in Australia

Try risk free!

Eliminates odours permanently

5% donated to a worthy cause

How Gear Guard works

Why do things you sweat in hold onto that stubborn sweat smell, even after washing?

It has a lot to do with the material of clothing, and not hygiene. As bacteria break down sweat, they leave behind compounds that cling to fabrics. This is especially true for synthetic fibres like polyester and nylons, like are used in most of the gear and apparel you sweat in. 

 

Traditional detergents clean surface dirt, and sanitisers neutralise odour causing bacteria but miss the residues that hang on to the fibres themselves. These left-behinds are what cause smells to keep coming back. When you're wearing those clothes again, the oily sweat residues and odorous compounds get warmed up by your body heat and mix with new sweat and start to evaporate. From here, they take on a new, especially foul kind of aroma, almost like an ammonia smell. Regular detergents and sanitisers can't help from here!

 

So, how does Gear Guard make a difference?

Gear Guard's enzymes target the extracellular DNA (eDNA) in  those organic left-overs,  removing the 'glue' that holds odours in fabric fibres. This then lets those compounds and residues be washed away. It usually takes two washes for the Gear Guard magic to really take hold.

 

Read more in our FAQs.

 

Ingredients

Phosphodiesterase enzyme

The powerhouse of Gear Guard! This active enzyme breaks down sweat residue, organic gunk, and extracellular DNA that bind odours to fabric like glue.


Water

Water helps distribute the enzyme evenly across your gear, ensuring every fibre gets cleaned thoroughly.
 

Preservatives (MCI & MI)

To ensure Gear Guard stays fresh and effective, even in warm and humid environments, we use small amounts of preservatives—Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) and Methylisothiazolinone (MI). While these are commonly used in many household products, we know that some people with sensitive skin may experience Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD). If you’ve had sensitivities before, we recommend trying a single bottle first. We’re happy to offer a full refund if it’s not right for you.

Head to our FAQ's if you would like a little more detail or have more questions.

Product reviews

Money back guarantee

Not satisfied? 

We're confident you'll love Gear Guard and smell the difference 💜

 

If, however, you're not 100% satisfied and the stink is still there after a couple of washes, hit us up for a full refund - no returns required. This only applies for your first order.  Get in contact!

Shipping & delivery

Shipping in Australia
We use Australia Post when shipping within Australia, from our warehouse in Sydney. Shipping is free on 3 or more bottles to anywhere in Australia, or $4.99 for one or two bottles. 

 

Shipping to New Zealand and USA

We use DHL for shipping to New Zealand, and its a flat rate of $9.99 in the local currency.

 

Shipping to other international destinations

We experimented with international orders however the costs for delivery were crazy and largely unsustainable. 

Also, the additional expense and effort that comes from a tax and accounting perspective in multiple currencies and countries, at this stage of our journey, is too steep. We'd love to chat to folks interested in a partnership to sell overseas though. Get in contact!

 

Delivery and tracking
Most orders will go out the same day if they ordered before 10am Sydney time. Tracking is provided for all deliveries. 

For our full FAQs

For more detail or other questions, head to our FAQ's  section.

Photo by Rob Martin on Unsplash