washing bike cloths
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
washing bike cloths
How often do you wash your bike cloths in the washing machine? Or, do you rinse them out with water and not use the washer? Do you wash them after every ride?
#2
The Red Lantern
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 5,965
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I always use the machine and dry them on low heat(Except for the wool stuff. NEVER put that stuff in the dryer)
In the winter I might let it go two rides. In the summer, one ride one wash. Not washing your shorts is a good way to get saddle sores.
In the winter I might let it go two rides. In the summer, one ride one wash. Not washing your shorts is a good way to get saddle sores.
__________________
Are you a registered member? Why not? click here to register. Its free, and only takes 27 seconds!
Help out the forums, abide by our community guidelines.
I am in the woods and I have gone crazy.
Are you a registered member? Why not? click here to register. Its free, and only takes 27 seconds!
Help out the forums, abide by our community guidelines.
I am in the woods and I have gone crazy.
#3
velosipedist
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 171
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When I was a starving student, I'd wash my bike clothes in the shower. Scrub 'em up good with a bar of soap and rinse them under the shower, then hang them up to dry. Depending on your local humidity, you can rotate between 1/2/3 pairs of shorts and jerseys and never have to drop a quarter on laundry. More quarters saved means more for beer and pizza
#4
Full Member
At work I rinse my shirt, shorts and whatever other layers, and use soap on the bike pants and socks, sometimes the fingerless gloves. When I get home I do the bike pants again in the shower. Everything else goes in the laundry basket except the rain jacket, which I continue to use and wash at the end of the week in the machine.
Seems to work OK although the flouro rain jacket got mould spots from the sweet/damp staying all week.
Seems to work OK although the flouro rain jacket got mould spots from the sweet/damp staying all week.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,941
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by garagedude
How often do you wash your bike cloths in the washing machine? Or, do you rinse them out with water and not use the washer? Do you wash them after every ride?
I'll sometimes use woolite in the washer (delicate cycle), sometimes I use the "win" detergent (good but expensive). Dry in the dryer on delicate (low heat)
__________________
Eric
2005 Trek 5.2 Madone, Red with Yellow Flames (Beauty)
199x Lemond Tourmalet, Yellow with fenders (Beast)
Read my cycling blog at https://riderx.info/blogs/riderx
Like climbing? Goto https://www.bicycleclimbs.com
Eric
2005 Trek 5.2 Madone, Red with Yellow Flames (Beauty)
199x Lemond Tourmalet, Yellow with fenders (Beast)
Read my cycling blog at https://riderx.info/blogs/riderx
Like climbing? Goto https://www.bicycleclimbs.com
#6
Mettle to the Pedals
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Central Indiana
Posts: 710
Bikes: Giant Cypress hyrbrid, Giant OCR2, Giant OCRc2, Giant Suede (wife's)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Woolite in the sink. Shorts and jersey every time (unless it was a very short non-sweaty ride). Other items as needed.
#7
Pokes On Spokes
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 824
Bikes: Pedal Force ZX3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I wash everything, every ride with a couple exceptions:
Outer windproof jacket can wait a few rides, as well as gloves and cycling head/ear warmers. If it's cold and I wear a base layer, jersey, long sleeved jersey and jacket, I won't wash the LS jersey or jacket.
Outer windproof jacket can wait a few rides, as well as gloves and cycling head/ear warmers. If it's cold and I wear a base layer, jersey, long sleeved jersey and jacket, I won't wash the LS jersey or jacket.
#8
Sensible shoes.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: St. Paul,MN
Posts: 8,798
Bikes: A few.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Everything in the machine. For God's sake, I wear this stuff outside in all weather conditions while getting both sweaty and covered in road grime. And some of the wool stuff (Smartwool, Ibex) can even go in the dryer. No fabric softener.
#9
lunatic fringe
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Miles from Nowhere, Columbia County, OR
Posts: 1,111
Bikes: 1980 Schwinn World Sport, 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour, 1984 (?) Univega Single Speed/Fixed conversion, Kogswell G58 fixed gear, 1987 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I used to hand wash my shorts and tights... probably a habit left over from the "wool" days. Then a couple of years ago, I bought some shorts from Aero Tech Designs and, lo and behold, the washing instructions were, "Machine Wash and Dry". I tried it and the world did not end. Since my other brands of shorts were made of similar fabrics, I started washing them all in the machine. I dry them on low until almost dry and hang overnight.
After every ride... prevents saddle sores!
After every ride... prevents saddle sores!
#10
Banned.
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bannation, forever.
Posts: 2,887
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Right now I have 4 complete sets of bike cloths. Shorts, socks & jersey. After wearing a set I do not wear them until I have washed them. I wash them after all 4 sets are dirty.
My wife has a maytag front load washer, the Neptune, that I use to wash my bike cloths. As it is brand new & has not been used to wash my bike cloths yet I do not know if I'll have to switch detergents. When we had our old top load machine liquid Wool-Lite worked best.
Like our old dryer I imagine with the new Neptune it will be low heat.
As far as what load setting, temp. setting & type of detergent you will have to use to get the best results I say experiment until you get the result you'll be happy with but also follow the wash tag instructions.
My wife has a maytag front load washer, the Neptune, that I use to wash my bike cloths. As it is brand new & has not been used to wash my bike cloths yet I do not know if I'll have to switch detergents. When we had our old top load machine liquid Wool-Lite worked best.
Like our old dryer I imagine with the new Neptune it will be low heat.
As far as what load setting, temp. setting & type of detergent you will have to use to get the best results I say experiment until you get the result you'll be happy with but also follow the wash tag instructions.
#12
Two H's!!! TWO!!!!!
Originally Posted by garagedude
How often do you wash your bike cloths in the washing machine?
I think you mean clothes. I wash my bike clothes in a washing machine, except for items which say "handwash" on the label with laundry instructions. Fortunately, there aren't many like that (in fact I only think of one - a cycling jacket which is never right next to my skin so I don't need to wash it too often anyways).
#13
I pedal what I ride
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 89
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
everything in the washing machine and every 2 weeks my wife soaks my jerseys in a colorfast bleach solution overnight to get rid of the sweat stink that washing doesnt fully remove
#14
I need more cowbell.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Reno, Nevada
Posts: 8,182
Bikes: 2015 Specialized Sirrus Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You're supposed to wash bike clothes? Who knew?
__________________
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
#15
Caustic Soccer Mom
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Millstone WV
Posts: 1,761
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
definately the washer. In the winter, tumble dry on low ar air fluff, in the summer, hang dry. When they're covered in the excellent red clay mud, pre-soak in oxyclean.
__________________
As with mud, life, too, slides by.
As with mud, life, too, slides by.
#16
Feral Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Roma, Italia
Posts: 2,667
Bikes: yes, I have one.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My shorts get washed every few months.
I do make sure my undercarriage is as clean as possible every time I put them on though, so I just don't see the need to wash them that often.
I do make sure my undercarriage is as clean as possible every time I put them on though, so I just don't see the need to wash them that often.
#17
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
Originally Posted by Digital Gee
You're supposed to wash bike clothes? Who knew?
#18
OMG! i'm a DURT gurl!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HOT, sunny socal desert
Posts: 4,939
Bikes: 2007 specialized stumpjumper FSR expert, 2006 specialized ruby pro, 2004 specialized dolce elite, 2005 specialized hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ericgu
Shorts and jerseys and socks get washed every ride. Gloves, hat, arm and leg warmers get washed every once of a while.
i always use the washer.... hang them to dry.... no fabric softener and NO WOOLITE! i only use fragrance-free/dye-free detergent....
__________________
OCP and PROUD!
"OCP is not just about attitude, it's a way of life!"
life's too short to ride a crummy bike..........
OCP and PROUD!
"OCP is not just about attitude, it's a way of life!"
life's too short to ride a crummy bike..........
#19
OMG! i'm a DURT gurl!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: HOT, sunny socal desert
Posts: 4,939
Bikes: 2007 specialized stumpjumper FSR expert, 2006 specialized ruby pro, 2004 specialized dolce elite, 2005 specialized hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by N_C
Right now I have 4 complete sets of bike cloths. Shorts, socks & jersey.
__________________
OCP and PROUD!
"OCP is not just about attitude, it's a way of life!"
life's too short to ride a crummy bike..........
OCP and PROUD!
"OCP is not just about attitude, it's a way of life!"
life's too short to ride a crummy bike..........
#20
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Wash all cycling clothes after a ride- except for the outer waterproof tops. They get washed often enough but they get washed at no more than 40C and get tumble dried on very low heat. Then next Ride out the waterproof is waterproof- the windproof is wind proof and the showerproof still does not work.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#22
Every day a winding road
A caveman might wear a bike cloth. Cyclists were bike clothes.
#24
lunatic fringe
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Miles from Nowhere, Columbia County, OR
Posts: 1,111
Bikes: 1980 Schwinn World Sport, 1982 Schwinn Super Le Tour, 1984 (?) Univega Single Speed/Fixed conversion, Kogswell G58 fixed gear, 1987 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by JanMM
a lycra loin cloth???
Leopard skin
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 947
Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate 2006, Litespeed Pisgah , Specialized Roubaix 2008, Trek Madone 2011
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I never wash them in the machine. I take them in the shower with me and soap the chamois but just rinse out the rest. Tumbling clothes in a dryer puts a lot of wear on them.