How manytimes do you wear shorts/bib before washing?
01-04-14, 04:36 PM
#26
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Every ride. I learned this lesson the hard way many years ago when I re used a pair of sweaty shorts (because I had nothing else) and ended up with a nasty rash that required prescription medication to clear up. To be clear the sweaty shorts I used had been sitting damp in my laundry bag for a couple of days providing an ideal damp, warm , dark environment for bacterial growth.
Not sure why everyone treats there cycling apparel like it's their Sunday best. I machine wash all my cycling clothes in warm water / normal cycle and throw it in the dryer on normal heat which is medium high. If the clothing can't hold up to normal use including machine wash and dry I don't want it. For the record I have washed Assos, Rapha, Giordana and Castelli clothing this way countless times and never had a problem. White vinegar and baking soda (not necessarily in combination) work well for eliminating odors.
Not sure why everyone treats there cycling apparel like it's their Sunday best. I machine wash all my cycling clothes in warm water / normal cycle and throw it in the dryer on normal heat which is medium high. If the clothing can't hold up to normal use including machine wash and dry I don't want it. For the record I have washed Assos, Rapha, Giordana and Castelli clothing this way countless times and never had a problem. White vinegar and baking soda (not necessarily in combination) work well for eliminating odors.
01-04-14, 04:39 PM
#27
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Once of course... is there really any other answer? I hope anyone giving any other answer only rides solo.
01-04-14, 04:41 PM
#28
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On the trainer I just wear boxers so I don't have to wash my bike shorts. After I ride outside I rinse them in the shower after every ride. But I don't really use soap, maybe I should.
01-04-14, 05:04 PM
#29
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Is this really a question**********? C'mon man, just once! That is nasty otherwise! I mean lets think this one over for about a mili-second! Okay, ONCE!
This is really the same as asking after taking a big ole dump how many times do ya use the toilet paper!
This is really the same as asking after taking a big ole dump how many times do ya use the toilet paper!
Last edited by Cyclelogikal; 01-05-14 at 07:49 AM. Reason: mispelled word.
01-04-14, 05:19 PM
#31
bill nyecycles
i do gentle cycle / no dryer because i don't want them to shrink. because i'm an odd size it's hard finding things, especially gym type clothes like cycling apparel, that fit properly. i have 3 pairs of lululemon shorts, and a bunch of champion c9 shirts from target.
01-04-14, 05:23 PM
#32
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When are you folks gonna learn that nylon and polyester, the two main fibers in cycling apparel do not shrink from laundering even with automatic drying? Wool and cotton yes, nylon and polyester no.
01-04-14, 05:30 PM
#34
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I go by the sniff test, if they stink I wash them. I wear wool which allows 3-5 days riding without odor. If they smell I wash. Guess what. No health issues, no saddle sores and all is well. So again , yes, there are many answers.
Our forefathers would think us a bunch of prettified, lilac smelling sissies the way we obsess about this crap.
01-04-14, 05:46 PM
#35
Kit doesn't match
When I have a pile, I hand-wash it in the sink or in the washer on gentle; hang it to dry.
01-04-14, 06:51 PM
#37
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For Pete's sake, doesn't this thread relate to the one "Too lazy to change and shower"? You guys are killing me here with the concern for proper hygiene. Wash shorts after every ride, hang dry. Own at least two pair to rotate use. Simple-
Cheers
Cheers
01-04-14, 06:53 PM
#38
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Is the best way to test for cleanliness the sniff test?
I fear the use of my washing machine. I have ruined more shorts/shirts than I can count. My wife tosses everything in the washer then the dryer and BAM! they no longer fit.
I have tried to educate her and even used Lysol spray as a anti-bacterial ceaner to avoid the washer and even wore stuff into the shower.
Thus I ask how to keep stuff clean but not ruin....
I fear the use of my washing machine. I have ruined more shorts/shirts than I can count. My wife tosses everything in the washer then the dryer and BAM! they no longer fit.
I have tried to educate her and even used Lysol spray as a anti-bacterial ceaner to avoid the washer and even wore stuff into the shower.
Thus I ask how to keep stuff clean but not ruin....
And do your own cycling laundry. No one should make their spouse deal with their grody workout clothing...
01-04-14, 06:54 PM
#39
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Always only once.
For or washing, I follow the directions on the tag just like I do for all of my other clothes. Generally, machine wash cold with like colors gentle cycle, hang dry. A couple items are ok for low dryer.
For or washing, I follow the directions on the tag just like I do for all of my other clothes. Generally, machine wash cold with like colors gentle cycle, hang dry. A couple items are ok for low dryer.
01-04-14, 07:19 PM
#41
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Like others - once, save for commuting when it's an AM then PM proposition. How many days do you wear your underwear for?
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BF, in a nutshell
BF, in a nutshell
01-04-14, 07:36 PM
#42
But anyway, I personally wash mine after every single ride when its hot out. In the winter, I SOMETIMES wear my stuff twice before washing.
01-04-14, 07:40 PM
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Just tell your wife how expensive they are, I bet she hand washes them next time.
01-04-14, 08:27 PM
#44
bill nyecycles
i have better things to do that hand wash my shorts every night, or if you're like me go to the apartment's community wash room and spend $1.25 on a load every day? no. I own multiple pairs of shorts that get, on average, 2 uses. that's +/- 6 days at least i can go before needing everything to be washed all at once. shorts, shirts, etc. and i can throw other laundry in with them as well.
01-04-14, 09:12 PM
#47
Lover of Old Chrome Moly
Is the best way to test for cleanliness the sniff test?
I fear the use of my washing machine. I have ruined more shorts/shirts than I can count. My wife tosses everything in the washer then the dryer and BAM! they no longer fit.
I have tried to educate her and even used Lysol spray as a anti-bacterial ceaner to avoid the washer and even wore stuff into the shower.
Thus I ask how to keep stuff clean but not ruin....
I fear the use of my washing machine. I have ruined more shorts/shirts than I can count. My wife tosses everything in the washer then the dryer and BAM! they no longer fit.
I have tried to educate her and even used Lysol spray as a anti-bacterial ceaner to avoid the washer and even wore stuff into the shower.
Thus I ask how to keep stuff clean but not ruin....
Don't throw your kit in with your other clothes. Wash your tech fabrics in cold water on the gentle cycle as soon as you can after riding and put in the dryer on low heat with a dry towel or two. Take them out when they are 90% dry and hang to finish them off. Don't dry them hot or overdry them in the machine and they'll live happily for a long time. Wool should be hand washed or machine washed in cold water on the shortest, gentlest cycle you have and then rolled up tightly in a towel to remove most of the water and laid out to dry. Depending on the percentage of wool in the garment, you need to be careful of shrinking, stretching, or deforming the garment by improper hanging. For this reason I don't like 100% wool. The synthetic fibers interwoven in a wool blend get between the wool fibers and protect them from shrinking and stretching problems. Instead of fancy "sports" washes, I just use Woolite for Darks on all my sports clothing. It works in cold water, is safe for all fabrics including wool, and protects bright colors from fading just as well as it does darks.
If you practice good personal hygiene and keep your kit washed and dried in a timely fashion, you don't have to worry about using antibacterial products to prevent the funk.
The answer to the most important question is that bibs/shorts get washed after every ride. Jerseys might make a couple of rides if the weather is cool and I'm not riding hard, but I usually just wash them every time as well.
Last edited by Myosmith; 01-04-14 at 09:15 PM.
01-04-14, 09:29 PM
#48
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Oh brother. Do you have a life outside of cycling? I have a wife, job, two teenage daughters and a perpetual to do list. I already don't ride as much as I would like and regularly catch heat for how much time I spend on my "cycling obsession". The last thing I'm going to do is allocate more of my precious time to hand washing or hang drying my cycling clothes. Rather spend time in the saddle and as rpenmanparker pointed out nylon and polyester do not shrink. All of my gym wear are constructed out of the same material and I never hear about anyone hand washing their gym clothes.
01-04-14, 10:27 PM
#49
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Once is the only correct answer.
In winter months I might cheat with an outer-layer, but not if it gets the slightest bit moist with perspiration.
In winter months I might cheat with an outer-layer, but not if it gets the slightest bit moist with perspiration.
01-04-14, 10:55 PM
#50
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Wow. Have you and your wife never heard of hang dry? That would solve the shrinkage of your clothes. Also, I would only wear it once. Think of your bib / shorts as your underwear (or boxers). Would you wear them twice before washing?
