Whether it’s dried salmon slime, tuna blood, fish glitter, or that stale salt-water-meets-sweat aroma, fishing gear takes a beating. Standard laundry cycles often fail to break down the organic proteins and fish oils that get trapped in high-performance fabrics.

If your "lucky" fishing hoodie has reached a point where your family won't let it in the house, it’s time for a Laundry Spa Day. This two-step deep-cleaning process (originally popularized by laundry enthusiasts on Reddit) uses heat, enzymes, and ammonia to strip away oils and odors, returning your gear to "like-new" condition.

I’m honestly impressed. After months of heavy use, my fishing jacket and Gore-Tex Grundens bibs look brand new and the smell is completely gone. Our regular laundry detergent barely made a dent in the grime before, so I didn't think it was possible to get them this clean.

What You’ll Need

• 365 by Whole Foods Unscented Powder Detergent: This specific powder is the "secret sauce" because it contains a built-in oxygen bleach, powerful cleaners, and lipase—an enzyme specifically designed to break down fats and oils (like fish oils).
• Ammonia: Look for any 5–10% ammonium hydroxide solution (clear, sudsy, or lemon). You’ll find this on the bottom shelf of the cleaning aisle near the window cleaners.
• A Soaking Container: Use stainless steel, ceramic, glass, or plastic. Pro Tip: A plastic beer cooler is the best choice because it’s insulated and will hold the water temperature higher for longer.

Step 1: The Spa Day (8–12 Hour Soak)

The goal here is to keep the fabric submerged in a high-heat, high-enzyme environment to break down organic matter.

1. Sort Your Gear: Separate your whites, colors, and darks. Keep red cottons completely separate to avoid bleeding.
2. Mix the Solution: Use ¼ cup of the 365 powder per gallon of the hottest tap water your sink can produce.
3. Dissolve Completely: This is critical. Stir until all granules are gone before adding clothes. Undissolved powder sitting against fabric can cause permanent spotting.
4. Submerge: Push your clothes under the water. Use a heavy ceramic plate, a mug, or a clean white towel to keep the items from floating.
5. Seal It: Cover the container or close the cooler lid to trap the heat.
6. The Long Wait: Let it soak for 8 to 12 hours. Drain the water, but do not rinse or wring the clothes out yet.

Step 2: The Rehab Wash (Machine Wash with Ammonia)

Now that the enzymes have loosened the "funk," we use ammonia to finish the job.

1. Prep the Machine: Put a standard label-recommended dose of the 365 powder directly into the bottom of the wash basket (not the dispenser).
2. Load Up: Add your wet, drained items from Step 1.
3. The Ammonia Boost: Pour 1 cup (250 mL) of ammonia directly onto the fabric. Do not pour it into the detergent dispenser.
4. Start Immediately: Once the ammonia hits the damp, pre-treated clothes, the reaction begins. Start the cycle right away.
5. Settings: Use the Heavy Duty cycle with warm or hot water, the highest soil level, and an extra rinse.
6. The "No-Go" List: Do NOT add fabric softener, scent beads, chlorine bleach, borax, or washing soda. If you want a fresh finish, you can put a splash of white vinegar in the softener dispenser for the final rinse.

Step 3: Drying (Don't "Bake" the Stink)

The way you dry your clothes depends on what you are trying to fix:

• For Stains/Blood: Hang dry. This allows you to inspect the area once dry.
• For Fish Odors: Tumble dry on low/delicate until mostly dry, then hang to finish.
• The Golden Rule: Never use high heat until you are 100% sure the smell is gone. High heat "bakes" odors and stains into the fibers, making them nearly impossible to remove later.

Step 4: Repeat if Necessary

If your gear was truly legendary for its smell, it might take a second round. If the odor or stains persist after three "Rehab Washes," the damage may be permanent or the substance may not be oil-based.
For most PNW anglers, however, this process is the "reset button" your gear needs after a long season on the water.

Note: This method is from r/laundry and all credit goes to user KismaiAesthetics