Thank you for sharing your advice, and really taking the time to put it understandable terms. I am still trying to get better at washing polyester fabrics. I have not been putting white vinegar in the rinse water; i can try that. I have been using a technical fabrics detergent that’s mostly Soda Ash (very basic) and enzymes. It recommends either a normal wash, or a soak procedure for tenacious smells. I once let it soak too long, and i think the chemicals ate into the fabrics too aggressively and wore them out. I suppose that all laundry is finding the balance between preserving the clothes vs. getting them clean. I mostly have space for line-drying indoors, not out in the sun, but I could try line drying in high UV sunlight from time to time.

Some technical fabrics say wash cold, some say wash warm. I typically do cold for everything to try and prolong the life of the fabric. What water temperature are you using?

I regularly skimp on tires, headphones, speakers, rode a broken saddle for years and years, handlebar grips wearing out and getting gummy bits everywhere, computer monitor, keyboard, mouse and chair all completely wrong, work gloves disintegrating, etc. I dont have that much money to invest into hobbies, so I try to make things last.

But i really feel you on climbing shoes. I climbed in a $20 bargain bin pair that didnt fit for way too long, and it really hurt my feet. Eventually i invested in the moccasin style, and while they are not aggressive or high performing, they are more comfortable.

Recently I had to buy some new (to me) used tires because mine were so dryrotted they kept getting flats. While I was there, i bought a used pair of bibs to try (I’ve never ridden in bibs), and a used pair of bike shorts that are similar to mine. They didn’t have a smell, and I was pretty amazed. I’m a little bit apprehensive about wearing second hand underwear, but the price was right, unfortunately. In hindsight, this is surely what started me on this train of thought.

Thank you.