Can't get rid of the smell!!!

[Christophe]

Probably been done many times but my cycling stuff stinks. Just can't get rid of the sweaty, damp smell from synthetic clothing. Freshly washed the smell quickly returns once I start to warm up.

Washing instructions please!

[Bolt]

Sounds like your washing machine might need a deep clean using some of that washing machine cleaning stuff?  I've noticed that this smell becomes apparent when you wash cycling kit without fabric softener which normally masks that stale smell you're talking about. 

If this isn't the case then bicarbonate of soda may do the trick, sprinkled dry onto offending items and left overnight.

[Brucey]

nothing to do with the, er, cat on your head, is it....?
 

cheers

[fd3]

Do you line dry?  If you leave it out in the rain and sun for a couple of days it will sort it out.

[mrcharly-YHT]

I use a small amount of bleach, then rinse very very very very thoroughly (or your lycra will be destroyed).

Also, wash in a biological detergent now and then and give things a good soak in hot water.

[Ruthie]

Have you tried soaking everything in white vinegar before you was it?

[T42]

I find that happens with certain jerseys but not others.  I stopped wearing my UAF jerseys because of it.

[handcyclist]

Use water softener (if you live in hard water area)

Don't use fabric conditioner.

Line dry.

HTH

[Ian gaggiaport]

Halo washing liquid is for sports wear and it really really works

Now how do I de- stink my shoes after LEL?

[simonp]

I used to find a lingering smell on kit until I started Dettol Antibacterial Laundry cleanser. It goes in the fabric conditioner compartment in the washing machine drawer. Sometimes I also use it to soak my heart rate strap (with the electronicky bit removed).

[Bobby]

I used to find a lingering smell on kit until I started Dettol Antibacterial Laundry cleanser.

+1

I use that & liquid soap and generally it's been OK now

[Jurek]

Halo washing liquid is for sports wear and it really really works

Now how do I de- stink my shoes after LEL?

I'd like to know the answer to that one.
Too many of my summer shoes (both leather and synthetic materials) have gone binward for reasons of The Stench.
I've done the 'leave-them-in-the-freezer' and 'stuff-them-with-Bicarbonate', (and a combination of the two)  tricks - to no avail.
Maybe I've just got weapons-grade feet 

[Wowbagger]

My Exustar sandals become imbued with my foot pong after a while. It can be ameliorated by wearing them with socks, but I discovered the best remedy is to wear them in the sea. Whenever I swim at a shingle beach I wear my sandals in the water and they come out beautiful again!

[philip]

I soak my shoes in sterilising solution for 30min, then put each one in a sock (to cover velcro/buckles/cleats) and put them into my ordinary 30 or 40 degree wash. My current shoes are an older version of http://northwave.com/en/p/sonic-2/ and have been washed like that twice.

[Christophe]

nothing to do with the, er, cat on your head, is it....?
 

cheers

LOL. Err that's not actually me so no. I'm allergic to cats. Safe to say the stink on my clothes is all self made

[Christophe]

Thanks for the replies all. Might give the Dettol stuff a go first and see where we get to. Think vinegar may be a last resort......

[freeflow]

You should also try a couple of 90 degree washes of your washing machine ( empty if course) to kill off the bacteria that cause the smell.

[Morat]

Has anyone tried Miltons?

[Brucey]

FWIW I found that my clothes came out of the washing machine smelling less if I ran the machine (empty) on a rinse setting before filling it with laundry and washing it.  Although that was a machine-made stink, rather than a self-made stink, it still got worse once I sweated into the clothes.

cheers

[rogerzilla]

White vinegar removes most mildewy smells.

[yanner]

Halo washing liquid is for sports wear and it really really works

Now how do I de- stink my shoes after LEL?

+1 on the Halo, at 30° for most but particularly smelly gets it at 40° and an extra rinse.