General Cycling Discussion - Gloves stink. So does my helmet.

And the shell where they're stored as well.

How does one prevent/mask/remove the unpleasant odors from their riding gear?

you have to wash your gloves, as for the helmet was them with a mild detergent soap, preferably with luke warm water..... as for your cycling jersey and cycling shorts, you have to wash them regularly....

I have leather gloves, they become rough after washing. :\
Of course you have to wash your clothes, but what about backbacks and bags? Are they washable?

Some of them are. Depends on the brand and material.

Thats actually why I stay away from leather...it is difficult to wash. I am possitive there are leather washers though...

leather gloves, you can hand was it with shampoo, it will work, I know coz' once upon a time I have a leather gloves and I hand wash it with shampoo it work so maybe you can try it...

as for backpack, and the like, if you have a cloth material on your bags, and not the plastic one's, I don't see any problem...

Try soaking the articles in fresh water overnight and allowing them to dry slowly, or wear them until they are dry.

As already mentioned above, shampoo works well. I stay away from strong detergents because I break out in a rash if the slightest bit remains after rinsing.

Here is a runner's gimmick for coping with laundry:

When finished with a run (or ride), bring a 1 gallon bucket with you into the shower, fill the bucket with water and shampoo (shower gel works equally well). Deposit jersey and shorts into bucket. Wash self, wash jersey/shorts, rinse self, rinse jersey and shorts. Hang up clothing to dry before exiting shower.

regards
Dan

My wife and I each own 2 pair of gloves and rotate them. I usually wear mine 3-4 times before washing but my wife washes hers every ride. I used to make fun of her for washing her gloves until I realized her gloves were lasting a lot longer than mine and smelling better, too. :) Regardless, I went out and bought a second pair and rotate mine every few rides.

I think I'm about to buy a new pair of gloves...I have a pair of non leather gloves....it sucks. My sweat gets soaked in it and it stays wet throughout my ride.

Does this happen to leather gloves?

"Hi, honey! I'm home!"

"Phew! Darling, you stink!"

:eek:

Do you suffer from, HELMET HEAD?

:confused:

:D (Just having some fun! ;) )

Originally posted by MeHT
I have leather gloves, they become rough after washing. :\
Of course you have to wash your clothes, but what about backbacks and bags? Are they washable?
Saddle Soap is for leather.
I think Murphy's Oil Soap also works.

Joe

:beer:

Get into the habit of rinsing off your cycling helmet in the shower after a ride. Then leave it in a warm ventilated area afterwards to dry, ready for the next day. Nothing could be simpler or easier.

My gloves get a weekly wash in the washing machine, together with the weeks worth of cycling clothes. I use cold water - warm water tends to fade colours in some types of lycra and other cycling type materials over time. Remember to fasten your gloves velcro fastenings - they tend to "attack" the lycra in the washing cycle, by attaching themselves to it.

I saturate the pads and straps of my helmet with Lysol, remove the excess with a towel and allow it to dry.

I works well, but anyone trying it might want to do a test area on their helmet to make sure that the Lysol (contains Ethyl alcohol)does not dissolve the foam part of the helmet or any adhesives that might be holding on the padding or outer shell of the helmet.

Thanks.
I also tried washing the gloves with shower gel while wearing them (inside out as well) - it works too.