Dave Cutter - good point about the fragrance simply covering up the smell rather than actually eliminating it. I also tried, several years ago, a "new and improved" brand-name detergent (again - I can't remember which one) but it was marketed as a "sports" detergent for getting out stains and smells. I used it once and almost barfed. It was so heavily scented - and with a flowery scent at that - that I returned it to the store after using it one time. I was convinced - as you suggest - that it simply covered up the smell. It was such a heavy and persistent scent I had to re-wash it a few times to get the perfume out.

I had not thought of either hanging the gear in the sun or spraying it with hydrogen peroxide. I'll try both of those to see which works better.

Thx!