Has anyone successfully cleaned their rehbands?

[Dave Bernreuther]

Like many of you, my rehbands STINK. I used to agree with the popular idea that this is more of a badge of honor, but I don't have a place to store them and they're starting to stink up the whole house. I can live with this, but the girlfriend can't, and it's her place (the gym is right near her so we spend all our time here).

Worse, they stink up my other clothes so much that those things (t-shirts, sweats worn over the knee sleeves) can't even go into the regular laundry with other non-gym clothes, because even with all the soap and everything, they make an entire load of freshly washed laundry stink of that distinct rehband half-neoprene/half-sweat smell. I fear that most of my tshirts and shorts are ruined forever. And some of my girlfriend's clothes as well.

I put the rehbands themselves through the wash on their own, have tried all different soaps and cycle strengths (at first people told me to use Woolite on gentle or else they'd come apart, but the blue ones don't seem to have that problem), I take them in the shower with me sometimes, but nothing solves it. They still stink.

I grew up playing hockey for my entire life, never washing my gloves or other gear, and never had a problem like this. I don't know what it is about these things, but they're much worse than stinky hockey gear.

Anyone ever figured out a good way to get the stink out, even temporarily?

[Paul Neuhaus]

This method works for me every time.

You need and laundery bag, Whoolite, and color-safe bleach.

Turn your Rehbands inside out, and put them in the bag. Run a hot cycle with Whoolite and color-safe bleach. Leave the lid open so it stops 1/2 way through and you can let them soak for hours. Because neoprene floats, put a wet towel on top of the landery bag to keep it submersed. After a few hours, close the lid to finish the cycle.

The funk in your Rehbands is from bacteria, and the combination of Whoolite and color-safe bleach seems to be the only thing that can kill the bacteria.

You don't need the gentle cycle because the bag will protect your Rehbands from the agitator. Make sure they're inside out.

[Matt Brouse]

No way man, then they would lose that smell.

[Sean Flesher]

Take some formula 409 carpet cleaner ( takes animal piss smell out carpet ) turn them inside out and soak them. Leave them over night then throw them in the washing machine on cold. Mine are brand new but a friend of mine just cleaned his that way.

[Adam Keep]

I seriously don't get why everyones shorts stink so bad. Mine never stink. I sweat like a maniac and I don't wash them after each wear either. You guys are weird.

[Jonathan Creason]

I turn mine inside-out and wash them by themselves in cold water. I hang them up and air dry afterwards. No lingering funk.

[Kent Smith]

I use Jonathan's method when it gets so bad i can't take it anymore.

[JoeCSnavely]

Paul,

I see the WOOLITE (just kidding) must have worked pretty well for you. Works on wetsuits every time.

Joe

[Paul Neuhaus]

Paul,

I see the WOOLITE (just kidding) must have worked pretty well for you. Works on wetsuits every time.

Joe
Yep, that stuff is awesome!

[PeteKonradt]

There is a wet suit cleaning solution called sink the stink. You can find it at dive shops or on line. It works well and dosent ruin the Neoprene.

[Kellee_Rassau]

The wet suit cleaner works for hockey goalie gear. I've seen it at Army/Navy stores, too. If that doesn't work, I don't think anything will. I hang up my gear in the bright sunshine in the summer after a good cleansing, and that seems to kill the smelliness. But it doesn't work so well in the winter, unless you're in a warm climate.

[Declan Mac Daid]

I put mine in a pillow case and throw in a gentle wash and then leave them to dry. No special detergents etc, just normal washing tablet. Maybe the key is to wash them regularly, like maybe once a month or six weeks. And not leaving them stuffed in a gym bag but left out after you wear them to air the smell.

[Pierre Suter]

Mine were lethal and contagious and washing didn't help, but I finally found a cure. Turn them inside out and place them on the window sill where the sun can hit them. The sun will kill the bacteria or fungus or whatever nasty thing is causing the smell. I haven't washed mine in ages but I always sit them in the sun light and they smell fine now.

[Alban Schmid]

My Rehbands used to stink awfully too. I used MiraZyme and the bad smell has completely vanished! Both 'Sink the Stink' and 'MiraZyme' work the same way: it's a perfectly natural culture of several bacteria that simply eat the nasty ones causing the odor. Highly recommended!

You can get them in most divers' shops, or just online at many places. Just google for it.

If you're interested in the chemicals details on how it works, check the page of the manufacturer:

http://www.sinkthestink.com/

[Muscle Mom]

I smell a new sponorship idea for this forum! :)

[JoeCSnavely]

I've tried the sink the stink for my wetsuits and it works well. I found that woolite is more readily available and leaves you such a perty smell afterwards. I'm not sure about the price comparsions but most dive shops and specialty gear are priced higher.

[Declan Mac Daid]

Now I'm wondering could using nornmal detergent damage them? I wouldn't think so, detergents are designed for cleaning, so any ideas?

[JoeCSnavely]

Now I'm wondering could using nornmal detergent damage them? I wouldn't think so, detergents are designed for cleaning, so any ideas?

No, woolite and wetsuit cleaners are specifically designed for delicates and hand washing. Most regular grade detergents may shorten the life of the neoprene. Most dive shops that I go to recommend woolite and specifically advise against using laundry detergent. In fact, some go as far as recommending simply rinsing with warm water in place on any detergent.

Joe

[Nikhil Rao]

you know, I wager I squeegee at least half a gallon out of my elbow sleeve in between sets in a single workout. Never had a smell problem.

[Scott Markowitz]

You ought to get your olfactories checked.

:T: