Commuting - Eww.. now my jersey smells.

There's a fan by my desk but today it was kind of chilly so I didn't have it on when I got in. And I'm sitting there checking my email when I noticed, something smells like a cross between sour cabbage and rotten eggs. Not too strong but just a slight wiff. Then I noticed, "oh crap! it's me!" So I went to change and notice there were a couple of very light sweat spots on the jersey.
I took a sniff and they REEEEK when damp!
So what do I do?? I cycle between two pairs of shorts and jerseys. I wash them immediately with detergent and hang them to dry after I get home everyday. The smell seems to be stuck to it. I don't want to have to resort to spraying some kind of chemical like febreeze on it everyday.

(No I haven't been rubbing my jersey against my saddle!)

Maybe try some oxyclean and let it soak for a while?

Add more clothing to your wardrobe? I used to have that problem when I first started cycling, but the more clothing I use, the less it happens, since I'm cleaning them and not using one set of clothing so much that they become over-used.

Koffee

Maybe try some oxyclean and let it soak for a while?

I thought oxyclean was to get out colors?

I wash my shorts and jerseys in the washing machine on gentle then hang to dry. They are still in great shape after several years of use. I wear them a few days before washing, but I am a fanatic about hanging them up to dry out when I get to work and when I get home. They never develop much smell at all. My commute is 22 miles round trip, and in summer I am literally dripping with sweat after both morning and afternoon rides in summer. Violating advice to the contrary I wear coolmax underwear so my shorts have only perspiration on them.

Ironically I've sniffed my shorts after getting to work, they smell absolutely fab. It's the jersey that's the prob.

Try soaking them in warm water with baking soda overnight, and then re-wash them. Chances are this will remove the smells.

Synthetic jersey? If so, try something natural like wool or (gasp) cotton. Much less stink, in my experience...

baker

One of the joys of synthetic fabrics is the way they hold odor. My lower cost ones definately seem to be the worst at this ... I've got a couple of synthetic t's / long underwear tops that still smell right out of the wash. Most of my cycling jersey's are pretty good about not retaining smell ... but I have 5+ that I cycle through and am very conscientous about letting them hang dry. Even at home in the evening I hang them up to dry for 24 hrs before dumping them in dirty clothes basket.

You can pick up jerseys for cheap on ebay ... I also just got 2 Pearl Podium jersey's for $13 each at http://www.rei.com/online/store/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=29356255&storeId=8001&catalogId=40000008001&langId=-1&seq=1&sort=2&

My team jersey is simular...probably because (gasp) I've only the 1 jersey(I don't get another 'til Spring Season). I hang dry my jersey and shorts every day in the alley beside my office(which is locked, and I set up a little clothsline lol). Also, I've found that soaking the jersey in a mild detergent every night for 4-6 hours in warm H2O, then hang dryig fixes this.
Yes it's a little damp in the AM for the commute, but I kinda like the wicking feeling of this on the ride.

I think Coffee may be right on this one...I'm off to get a few jerseys on sale this weekend! Thanks for the REI tip Paniolo...one is just down the street.

Thanks for the REI tip Paniolo...one is just down the street.

I'm not sure they will give you the same deal at the store ... maybe call and ask. May depend if they have in stock. But REI Outlet will deliver to the store for your pickup and not charge shipping. Not quite as quick as going down there and walking out with it, and not as quick as mailing to your door. Seems like it usually takes 7-10 days for me to get things shipped to the store ... though the web site tells you it could be much longer.

I really didn't need another jersey ... I have 6, plus a sleeveless and a l/s. But I just couldn't pass up a quality jersey for $13! :D I got 2 of them in dif colors and a closeout mtb one for $9! I'm a sucker for a good sale ;) In my defense it is nice not to have to do laundry in between the normal weekly stuff. I ride 5-6 days a week.

Try a fabric softener in the wash, something like Downey. If you use a dryer, use fabric softener sheets.

Otherwise, try soaking your jersey in pickle juice. At least you won't be able to smell the B.O.!!!!!