Laundry detergent

Does anybody use anything special to get the lovely, ahem, scent out of your running gear?

Penguin Sport-Wash seems to work pretty well.

Probably should. But we have a clothesline outdoors and that really helps. I  have heard of people microwaving clothes with water. I don't think I'd try it but if it works, it works.

I have found Tide Sports detergent by far the best:

http://www.tide.com/en-US/product/tide-plus-febreze-freshness-sport.jspx#reviews

The other thing I do, if the clothes have sat for a while before getting washed, run them through the rinse cycle only (no soap) before running through the full wash cycle with detergent.

JohnP wrote:I have found Tide Sports detergent by far the best:

http://www.tide.com/en-US/product/tide-plus-febreze-freshness-sport.jspx#reviews

The other thing I do, if the clothes have sat for a while before getting washed, run them through the rinse cycle only (no soap) before running through the full wash cycle with detergent.

Use the Tide Sport like John, works well. Good price for the amount you get but I do like using the WIN some times when my close are really really funky!

 You people take too many supplementals

Jerry wrote: You people take too many supplementals

When you run only 46 miles in a week, you don't need to worry much about the sweat

I use normal detergent, but do add the Downy Unstopables laundry beads to each load.  They do a great job of making everything smell fresh.

You guys all must really stink.  I've never used anything special in the 4 years I've ran and the years I've cycled before that.  

My watch wristband (velcro one, not the standard one), however, stinks.

Mike MacLellan wrote:You guys all must really stink.  I've never used anything special in the 4 years I've ran and the years I've cycled before that.  

My watch wristband (velcro one, not the standard one), however, stinks.

Wait til you hit 30.  I never had this issue when I was your age either!

I use the Tide sport or WIN (which I buy at Dick's).  Sorry, Mike, but I have some real funky smelling stuff especially some of the older shirts that are technical fabrics.

mul21 wrote:

Mike MacLellan wrote:You guys all must really stink.  I've never used anything special in the 4 years I've ran and the years I've cycled before that.  

My watch wristband (velcro one, not the standard one), however, stinks.

Wait til you hit 30.  I never had this issue when I was your age either!

I think maybe it's a West vs. East thing, Mike. I'm (cough, cough) past 30 and have never had issues with stink getting stuck in my running gear.

Maybe those folks back in humidityland just baste in their own juices more than we do.

I think it always gets smelly if you don't wash them in between runs...but I am not sure why you wouldn't.

From the Land of Humid, I don't notice anything.  Plain old Tide works for me.

Nick Morris wrote:I think it always gets smelly if you don't wash them in between runs...but I am not sure why you wouldn't.

Key thing is to let them completely dry after a run. if they stay damp, they will smell after a while.

JohnP wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:I think it always gets smelly if you don't wash them in between runs...but I am not sure why you wouldn't.

Key thing is to let them completely dry after a run. if they stay damp, they will smell after a while.

Maybe that is why mine don't stink.  I let them dry before I throw them in the hamper.

Funny story...

I was doing some back to back racing years ago and met up with some friends in Madison, WI for a marathon.  We all met up at the hotel and I was driving us all to the expo when we all noticed a weird (and very bad) smell.  We parked and went in to get our packets, etc... when we came back out and got in the car, the smell was even worse.  I got out and popped the trunk...

In the trunk was a plastic garbage bag.  In the garbage bag were race clothes AND and a pair of shoes and shoes from the prior weekend... when I opened the bag... I almost puked!  I had forgotten about them after the prior week's race and when I put my bags in the trunk for the current trip I slightly tore the bag.  OMG.  I will NEVER do that again!!!

Those clothes and shoes went into the nearest waste receptacle...

JohnP wrote:

Nick Morris wrote:I think it always gets smelly if you don't wash them in between runs...but I am not sure why you wouldn't.

Key thing is to let them completely dry after a run. if they stay damp, they will smell after a while.

That's a good point. I either air-dry my gear or put it straight in the wash. Helps prevent the rise of microbial civilizations.

I second hang-drying all tech-related fabrics. All of my running-related shorts, shirts, socks, etc. get the hang-dry treatment.

My shoes though? That's a different matter entirely

Ben Z wrote:I second hang-drying all tech-related fabrics. All of my running-related shorts, shirts, socks, etc. get the hang-dry treatment.

My shoes though? That's a different matter entirely

I keep my shoes out so they can dry too.  Changed that up when I had a pair go sour on me. 

mul21 wrote:

Mike MacLellan wrote:You guys all must really stink.  I've never used anything special in the 4 years I've ran and the years I've cycled before that.  

My watch wristband (velcro one, not the standard one), however, stinks.

Wait til you hit 30.  I never had this issue when I was your age either!

And, if that doesn't work then wait til you hit 40

So I was curious and put my fresh running cloth under my nose in the gym today ...

Jerry wrote:So I was curious and put my fresh running cloth under my nose in the gym today ...

And??

Used win and penguin and found sports tide to work the best. But key like John said let the sweaty ones hang dry first.