Lycra shorts shrinking? Really?
02-11-14, 07:07 PM
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Lycra shorts shrinking? Really?
I have a pair of some Descente spandex-y, lycra-like, modern material cycling shorts, and they have been great and I have always washed them by hand.
I washed them twice in the washing machine over the last few weeks (then air dried), and they have gotten sooooo tight and springy, I feel like I am doing exercises with rubber bands when I lift my legs in them. They seem to spring back.
I never thought this material could shrink, but I guess it does.
Anyone had this experience? Maybe they are just getting old and the material is getting less flexible?
Strange.
I washed them twice in the washing machine over the last few weeks (then air dried), and they have gotten sooooo tight and springy, I feel like I am doing exercises with rubber bands when I lift my legs in them. They seem to spring back.
I never thought this material could shrink, but I guess it does.
Anyone had this experience? Maybe they are just getting old and the material is getting less flexible?
Strange.
02-11-14, 07:33 PM
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My shorts shrink every winter, too.
02-11-14, 09:58 PM
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I have bib shorts that I bought five years ago when I weighed 240 I am now down to 170. If washing them in the machine would shrink them I would wash them in hot water and dry them by machine as well. But that would damage the Chamois I guess. But in truth they are simply too big and I will have to buy smaller shorts.
02-12-14, 12:21 AM
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Do these lycra shorts make my ass look fat?
No, it's your ass that makes your ass look fat.
Overheard at an organized ride one year.. That had to be a long ride back to the car...
No, it's your ass that makes your ass look fat.
Overheard at an organized ride one year.. That had to be a long ride back to the car...
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02-12-14, 01:48 AM
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I have bib shorts that I bought five years ago when I weighed 240 I am now down to 170. If washing them in the machine would shrink them I would wash them in hot water and dry them by machine as well. But that would damage the Chamois I guess. But in truth they are simply too big and I will have to buy smaller shorts.
There's only one way lycra "shrinks".
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02-12-14, 09:38 AM
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^^^correct^^^
...as long as you don't use chlorine bleach and don't use fabric softener of any type. Chlorine bleach can degrade the fabric and lycra (stretchy polyurethane fibers). Fabric softener kills wicking ability.
For best cleaning and odor removal, borax or Oxiclean works well and will not harm the items.
...as long as you don't use chlorine bleach and don't use fabric softener of any type. Chlorine bleach can degrade the fabric and lycra (stretchy polyurethane fibers). Fabric softener kills wicking ability.
For best cleaning and odor removal, borax or Oxiclean works well and will not harm the items.
02-12-14, 11:58 AM
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i've habitually machine washed and dried my lycra shorts over the years and like most things, they tighten up a bit after the drying. OTOH, they take quite a beating during the process, depending on the washing machine and settings, and have found that hand washing is sufficient.
