uniform washing and reoccuring smells

[MyraTrue]

I really cringe to write this. The deal is, I've had problems recently that I own two sets of whites (jacket, underarm protector in particular). Either set, anymore, I can wear twice before they smell so bad they have to be washed again. I'm never had this problem before: its not like I don't get a shower every day, and I'm not fencing is the mutli-use nasty fencing t-shirt. I drive home and hang my whites up to dry. But getting one to two uses of my fencing whites is really making laundry a nightmare.

So I've got a couple of questions. For fencers that fence in humid areas, does this make a difference? My appartment is NOT air conditioned, and its been in the 90's with 90% humidity+. Is this an issue of them not drying out well? If so, any suggestions?

Also, would a run through the wash with bleach (which I cringe to do, they're FIE) make a difference?

I'm at an end of my quarters and my time to be washing my whites. Especially when I'm in at practice 4 days a week. Any ideas?

[achilleus]

Every person I've known has run into this issue once their uniform gets be a certain age. A couple of things:

1) When going to the gym to work out (lift weights, run, etc...) people pretty much wear their stuff once, then wash. It's cheap and easy to buy multiple items, but why is it such a shock when fencing whites smell after one or two uses? Other clothing does. Why is it that we think fencing whites are somehow immune to sweat, body odor, and bacteria?

2) The problem, as explained to me, is basically bacteria buildup. I've been told that drying my whites for 10 min can help, or washing them in warm water once or twice. Currently I'm in a situation where I'm able to do a light wash of my uniform every time after fencing. Makes it really easy. They other thing to try, when you get back from fencing, febreeze your uniiform. That stuff works wonders.

Good luck.

[MyraTrue]

you've got a good point. I think its the fact that I used to be able to go two weeks plus on one set of whites, even with 4-5 days a week of practicing. I don't know how that was possible.

I was wondering about bacteria buildup. The little monsters are, after all, the reason things start to smell. And its my heavily used jacket and underarm protector that are the worst. Which was the reason I considered bleaching just once, to see if I could get rid of the worst. The dryer seems less invasive, as it were. I'll try that first!

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

Well... it could be that your whites have a mold or bacteria in them that is making them rank.... maybe you should try lysol. I febreeze mine after practice, and it holds back the tide.

[ReverseLunge]

DO NOT BLEACH.

Use OxyClean. That will get out all the bacteria from deep inside the fabric.

[VorpalCat]

Definitely no bleach! If you're out of quarters, try at least thoroughly rinsing out your sweaty gear in the sink or tub before hanging it to dry. Admittedly, with the lovely 90% humidity and fencing 4-5 times during the week, doing this after every single session probably won't work so well but I did want to at least point out the rinsing option -- not as good as a wash but it should at least help keep things from getting so scary so fast.

[neevel]

Adding a bit of ammonia along with the detergent will go a long way towards getting out the sweat salts that have penetrated deep into the fabric. For a long time, every 3rd wash or so I'd have to drench the more odor-prone areas of my uniforms with liquid detergent to thoroughly get the lingering smell out. Now I get the same results by just adding about 1/8 cup of ammonia each time I wash them.

Pre-treating spots that have become a bit dingy with detergent will help to whiten them up, along with using Oxy-clean or non-chlorine bleach. The good old fashioned approach of line drying things in direct sunlight also helps whiten things up.

-Dave

[veeco]

That's what I do also, everyonce in a while, I will just soak my uniform for a while in warm water and detergent for at least a couple of hours, stirring it from time to time, before washing it.

[Inquartata]

Ultimately, you are an epeeist. It is your lot in life to be afflicted with foul-smelling fencing wear. Even if you yourself are meticulous about cleaning and drying your uniforms, the norm for epeeists is to wad up the jacket and plastron after each use, stuff them into the mask, toss the mask into the bag and leave it there until the next practice, then ignore the stench. This has established a karmic pattern which by virtue of the weapon you fence has transferred itself to you will you nill you. Best learn now to pretend that there is no odor, and affect a superior hauteur when non-epeeists and casual passers-by gag, turn green and pass out whenever you approach within 10 meters of them...

Or you might try switching to sabre.

[dunastor]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

Best learn now to pretend that there is no odor

It's not 'pretend'...

It's realizing the truth that there is no odor, it's but an illusion, as is the rest of the physical world...

[MyraTrue]

Best learn now to pretend that there is no odor, and affect a superior hauteur when non-epeeists and casual passers-by gag, turn green and pass out whenever you approach within 10 meters of them...

Or you might try switching to sabre.

What? Switch to a weapon that requires MORE layers? And to top that off, another lay WITH sleeves? Never! I'm toasty enough in my epee whites, thanks.

I tried a few things last night and we'll see how well they worked for our club demo today.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

...the norm for epeeists is to wad up the jacket and plastron after each use, stuff them into the mask, toss the mask into the bag and leave it there until the next practice, then ignore the stench.

I'm not familiar with this norm...is it a male thing..?

Myra: Do NOT switch weapons, you are already on the right track!

[cowpaste]

I've had this baterial buildup problem in some of my sandals too. I'm wondering if soaking them in a tub of rubbing alcohol for a few hours would do any good. I'm sure that would keel all those nasty bacteria right? If this works, I'm sure it would work for fencing whites too.

[Elemental]

Last Friday I went to a friends place to practice (our Salle was closed for the week) and when I removed my jacked from my bag we were both assulted with a rather potent sweat smell. My friend wouldn't fence me unless I washed my jacket (he even offered to pay to have it washed at his apts laundromat).

I just rinsed it in the sink and then hung dry it in his shower. No more stink after it dried. I should point out that I have a fabric made of the the stretch material and other materials may act differently.

[Inquartata]

Originally Posted by MyraTrue

What? Switch to a weapon that requires MORE layers? And to top that off, another lay WITH sleeves? Never! I'm toasty enough in my epee whites, thanks.

"That which does not kill me makes me stronger."

Besides, you get an Infinity lame, it's like it's not even there...

But if you WILL persist in your epee heresy, don't blame me when the Inquisition gets you!

[Inquartata]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

I'm not familiar with this norm...is it a male thing..?

See? You're one of those who have convinced themselves that the phenomenon doesn't exist. ( Now if you could only convince the rest of the fencing world! )

Myra: Do NOT switch weapons, you are already on the right track!

And pay no attention to the approaching locomotive, you just STAY on that track...

[Schiavona]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

"That which does not kill me makes me stronger."

Really?

How about, "Come back and fight! It's only a flesh wound!", "What are you going to do? Bleed on me?"

[suregrip]

I lightly wash my epee whites after each use.

I'm particularly sensitive to bad smells, and like Inq pointed out, my nose WAS assaulted by a fellow epeeist who did exactly what he described in his former post. It was enough to gag anyone withing several meters, and the overall effect on ME was that I began washing my whites regularly.

I am now assured that I will never put anyone off like that.

[Black Jeebus]

That is interesting cause I was told by my coach, a foilist, to take things out and set them to drying and seperate metals and wets, and things of that ilk. Contrary to that, our local epeeist (that very same one as in my sig), advised me to just leave my stuff sitting in my bag overnight cause I would just be having to pack it up again the next morning. She even admitted to rarely washing her whites.

Is this really an epee occurance or have I bitten into Inq's mud pie?

[D'Artag-NOT]

Originally Posted by achilleus

When going to the gym to work out (lift weights, run, etc...) people pretty much wear their stuff once, then wash. It's cheap and easy to buy multiple items, but why is it such a shock when fencing whites smell after one or two uses? Other clothing does. Why is it that we think fencing whites are somehow immune to sweat, body odor, and bacteria?

Oh, how it pains me to say this--

--I agree with Achilleus.

Fencing being such a sweat-producing sport, yeah, your whites are going to get sweaty, and sweaty clothes get rank.

Maybe just accept the cost and inconvenience of doing the laundry more frequently as part of the price you pay for fencing.