How To Deodorize Motorcycle Riding Gear

When your riding gear stinks, you stink. And people notice—even if they're too polite to say so. But most anti-odor sprays don't actually fix the problem; they just cover up your funk. Skip the weak stuff and quit dousing yourself in chemicals. Instead, do a proper deep cleaning using a few household staples.

Wash your jacket and helmet padding normally, using unscented detergents and antibacterial soaps. Separately, mix equal parts hot water and vinegar in a large bowl, and soak your boot insoles in the solution (three hours minimum). Rinse clean and air-dry.

With the visor removed, take disinfecting wipes to your helmet’s inner shell, fixed impact liners, and assorted recesses where skunky buildups like to hide. Some online forums recommend spritzing perfume or cologne here. We do not.

Scoop baking soda into a dozen small coffee filters. Knot off the end of each with a rubber band, forming a series of tidy pouches. These lower the pH levels in the surrounding space, a likely contributor of your gear’s nose- hair-singeing properties.

Once your jacket is dry, line the pockets and empty armor slots with baking-soda pouches, then zip or button closed. Return dry padding to your helmet, drop a few pouches inside, and shut the vents. Seal the head and visor openings with cling wrap. Let both sit overnight.

Deposit the remaining pouches in your gloves and boots. Place them in sealed oversize zip-lock bags, and set in the freezer overnight. This neutralizes pH while killing some feebler forms of bacteria. Make sure leather footwear is dry beforehand, lest shrinkage occur.

Thaw your gloves and boots, reinsert insoles and jacket armor, and reattach your visor. Discard all used baking-soda pouches. Note the absence of cartoon stink lines emanating from your person. Ride off into the sunset, feeling clean as heck and smelling like a rose.