Originally Posted by
Menel
Lycra shorts are 80-90% polyester. They go in the wash with my running clothes. I have a separate basket for them as I sometimes go even through 2 sets a day.
They are "delicate" fabrics, treat them as such. Cold/Cold only wash. I use less detergent that with cotton loads.
Dry low or no heat. It's best to hang/air dry, but I'm lazy and impatient. Do NOT use fabric softener/dryer sheets, I've never had them get static, they're software by design of the materials, and the stuff in fabric softener acts like a wax and clogs up the pores of the clothing and impedes the sweat wicking performance.
Additionally, I almost forgot important detail, fragrance free, hypo-allergenic type detergent.
And I actually went to the manufacturer's website for you.
Unfortunately, improper care can diminish and even alter our fabric and garment performance. For the best results and performance from your Pearl Izumi garments, follow these general rules:
1. Use simple detergents with no additives:
Never use detergents with fabric softeners, perfumes or any additive type product. The general rule of thumb is the simpler the better. Many detergents with additives leave "surfactants" behind on a fabric's fibers that inhibit the technical performance.
Typically the best detergents to use will have "Clear" or "Free" in their names.
Don't pour the detergent directly onto the clothing, put it in the washer first, when you start the water.
If something is not functionally working, but is not dirty, try rinsing it twice in warm to hot water. This will help get rid of the harmful surfactants.
2. Read the care content label:
On the inside of your garment, or on the hangcard, there are instructions for the care of that individual piece. On garments this will be on a side seam or back seam label. Follow those directions.
On finer fabrics, use a "Gentle" cycle.
Close all zippers, attach "hook and loop" closures on gloves
3. You can use the dryer, carefully:
If you use a dryer be sure to use a lower/ warm heat setting (Do NOT use a commercial dryer or a "Hot" setting). This will often restore the fabric and help the water and wind repellent qualities.
If in doubt, hang the clothing to dry.
http://shop.pearlizumi.com/cms/index...ge=fabric-care
E.G. I use:
Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
Tide Free & Gentle is dye- and perfume-free.
But looking at their site, also have this stuff which would likely be ideal:
Tide Free for Coldwater Liquid Laundry Detergent
Specially formulated for cold water, without dyes and perfumes.
http://www.tide.com/en-US/product/ti...coldwater.jspx