4 Essential Steps to Wash MTB Gear and Remove Bad Smells for Good
Trying to get rid of that lingering smell from your mountain biking clothing and gear can be frustrating. Gear like jerseys, gloves, and pads can end up smelling pretty rank after hours on the saddle, even after washing multiple times. Synthetic fabrics, like often used in biking wear and protective gear, is usually the culprit of stinkiness in clothing or apparel you sweat in. But fear not—with the proper care routine, you can keep your mountain biking gear fresh, clean, and ready for your next big ride.
In this article
Why does mountain biking gear start to smell like a gym bag?
Most 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, sweat and bacteria from your skin remain in the fibres. Bacteria then break down the proteins and fatty acids found in the sweat, and the left overs 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 left overs. 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.
Here is a great article from Popular Science that goes into a whole lot more detail about the how's and why's of sweaty gear stinking, even after washing!
How come regular detergents and sanitisers don't remove those smells from MTB gear?
Standard laundry detergents fight visible dirt and stains. However, they often can't remove the oily residues left by sweat-eating bacteria. These residues, which bind stubbornly to synthetic fibres, are the real culprit behind lingering odours.
Sanitisers can kill bacteria, yet they fail to break down the compounds that cause lingering odours. Disinfection alone won’t remove the sweat-based oils that have bonded with synthetic materials. 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.
