ecp8

All my bibs recommend handwashing. I've done this a few times but it just seems like its nowhere near as good a machine washing them and then letting them air dry. Anyone have any thoughts/ advice or links for washing bibs? They're expensive, so I want them to last a little while.

float

Does your washing machine have a gentle or delicates setting? If so, use that. That's what I use for my jerseys and shorts.

Miller2

I always handwash in Woolite and hang dry. I think they are to expensive to subject to a washing machine.

unbelievably

1.Hand wash in a mild soap solution.
2.Rinse.
3.Wash in a liquid fabric softener.
4.Rinse.
5.Hang dry.

This is the only way I was my cycling goods that leaves them with a fresh feeling.
Tried the machine but...
It just didn't cut it for me.

djbowen1

Oh please, i throw them in the laundry with regular stuff. i have been doing this with the same bibs for 4 years and they are like new.

mtnwalker

I throw all my bibs and jerseys in the washing machine. Set it to delicate/slow and hang dry. They still look new after 6 months of this.

GPB

+1...yeah...it ain't difficult. Wash after every ride, no problems. Make sure if you put anything with zippers in...jeans or whatever...they are zipped up so they don't snag anything. Never a problem. Hang dry.

Camilo

+1. Same here.

Plus, I would never buy anything that doesn't take machine washing. And even if it did, I would still throw it in the machine. I just throw the shorts and jerseys in with my "medium color" load, set to warm and agitate normally for the shortest setting (6 minutes). I don't even bother with gentle setting, but that would probably be better. They do wear out quickly though, never lasting more than 4 years or so.

If washing by machine shortens the life, so be it. It's not meaningful if it does occur.

unbelievably

I guess I should clarify,
I'm in Japan, which does not have fully agitating washing machines like in North America.

Not to fret, my method takes me less than five minutes...
Not too concerned with the longevity of the fabrics.
Just want to get it thoroughly clean.

skiracing

I handwash shorts and Jerseys; its quick and economical cause otherwise I'd be running the machine empty everyday. As for the quality of the wash, I think a proper handwash will beat the machine anyday.

Alex

PdxGecko

I went to Target and purchased their "LingerieWashing Bags" found in the Storage Department. They are a mesh bag that protects the garment in the wash. Assos sells a similiar bag, but these are 3.99! I wash in cold water and then cool dry in the dryer. As above, always zip up and I turn everything inside out. I commute 4 days a week and ride evey Saturday and some Sundays. NO WAY could I hand WASH!!!

powerglide

machine wash delicate in one of them bags you use to further protect delicates

Blue Jays

• secure a front-loading washer which cleans garments better, and is gentler than a top-loader
• always turn all garments inside-out
• wash in warm or cold water using appropriate H.E. detergent
• hang dry away from heat source
• enjoy the fact you will smell better and encounter fewer saddle sores

BlessedHellride

+1

rbart4506

I do the bag method also...

I have more then enough bibs and jerseys to last me 4 days and so does my wife. We basically wash the bike stuff every 4 days and it's a pretty full load when you add in socks and any base layers. All we do is us the regular cycle and cold water and then hang to dry...

To the guy who uses fabric softener...I thought that was a no-no with the lyrca materials...

oilman_15106

and warm/cold water setting with a bit less detergent than recommended.

stonecrd

Another no no is to throw your gloves in without closing the velcro. They will bond to your bib seems and getting them off without mangling the stitching is a real pain

unbelievably

Is that so?
Why?
I dig the Downey, Ultra Fresh scent...

baxtefer

Fabric softener apparently messes with synthetics' wicking properties.

Cassadamius

https://windetergent.com/

dingodog

Woolite in a front loader machine on delicate cycle. I used to handwash, but I use the machine now to make sure all the soap gets rinsed out.

socalrider

I guess I'm lucky, my machine has a handwash cycle.. I wash my bibs in a bag still with woolite..

Camilo

Boy, you'd really have to convince me that hand washing will beat machine washing in the cleanliness or rinse dept, but maybe I'm wrong. I just don't have the time for it anyway - 5 minutes being about 4 minutes longer than it takes me to put 5 days of biking stuff in the washing machine.

I've also run into people who think washing dishes by hand is more economical (in terms of water) and does a better job than dishwashing machines. I don't believe them either . I agree with you though that it would be highly impractical if all you were washing were your cycle clothes daily. I'd still do it in the machine at the extre small load setting. But, I'm lucky I live in a family of four with two teenage daughters, so there's always enough for at least a small load. I believe the "extra small" setting doesn't use appreciably more water than it would take to wash and thoroughly rinse by hand.

Pharmr

+2...of whatever we may be on

timmhaan

this topic comes up from time to time, and i'm always amazed at the wide array of things that people do.

i've always put all my cycling clothes...shorts, jerseys, tights, gloves, socks, etc. in the regular wash with my regular clothes and i've had the same stuff for about 2-3 years now. handwashing is really easy as well, just put in the sink with a little soap and hot water, swish it around, rinse, swish, rinse, and hang up. 5-8 minutes tops.