Lycra + Dryer = OH GOD?
 

Just wondering how safe it is to put the Lycra in the Dryer after its been washed? Will I lose my precious, precious form fitting clothing :eek: ?

No, not unless you way over dry them. But I think even that would be hard to do.

I hate dryers, but especially with lycra cannot understand the need. That stuff dries in no time.

It's really wet here at the moment. Leaving them outside to dry is just asking for it.

Actually if they start to get baggy after using a few times hang drying them the dryer heat will tighten em right back up.

I use the lowest setting. No problems, as far as I can tell.

Alright :) I'm still a bit paranoid about doing it. Some of my knicks are worth $150+ each.

Hang them up inside.

My Assos F1.I3 cost me £137.00.

i hang mine up after every wash, cheap insurance that the dryer won't eat them.

They'll survive a tumble through the dryer, but don't make a habit of it.

Hang 'em to dry.

Cold wash, air dry, or dry only on the lowest permanent press setting is what's on most labels. If you decide to use a clothes dryer, recommend putting your lycra in the dryer by themselves otherwise it will pickup link that's almost impossible to remove. If you do the air dry, roll your freshly washed lycra in a towel and step on the towel to take as much moisture out of them before hanging them to dry. Don't use any fabric softener (if you machine wash) or dryer sheets. You'll find softeners will leave a coating on the lycra (and any microfiber clothes/towels) and reduce their wicking performance plus they will smell pretty bad as you ride and sweat in them.

Been using a dryer for my cycling lycra for 25 yrs. with no ill effects. Currently doing laundry at a commercial laundromat. Put them in with other clothing, set it on High heat and periodically check to take them out when they feel dry. Never had a problem.

Use the low/delicate cycle and all will be fine. Same for cycling jerseys, socks, do rags, and gloves.

Better still, read the little care label that's sewn into the garment. It'll tell you how to properly launder your gear.

The material itself does. The pad takes a bit longer.

+1. I've put mine in the dryer like that for years.

If your dryer is so equipped the no heat selection will work too. Contrary to popular belief you DO NOT need heat to dry something, just moving air flow.

I have enough pairs so that I can just hang dry my bibs, etc. The heat from the dryer will degrade the elastic over time.

Or do it the polak way like I do and toss them on your bed inside-out with a fan blowing directly at them..

I throw them in with the rest of the laundry. Then remove after 5-minutes in the dryer.

thats why there is a low setting on the dryer.

Perhaps if you live in a damp climate, plop them on your bed before going to work or hang them up in the bathroom, turn on a dehumidifer in the room. Done.

I hang mine up inside whenever I can remember. My nickers made it into the dryer a time or two and did a maybe 5% shrink but haven't gotten any worse. I wouldn't put em in just for the sake of increasing the longevity of $100+ pants as much as possible, but if you're going to low or very short time should do fine.

I've been drying lycra in the dryer for 16 years. It's been fine ... no shrinkage, no change of shape, no excess wear ..... completely fine.

In fact, I read somewhere that you're supposed to dry your shorts in the dryer so that your chamois (the fake chamois, not the real leather ones) will return to their original shape ... basically fluff up, I guess.

I put them in on low for 10 mins and then hang them.

It's probably best to simply hang them, especially if they're expensive.

I always dry mine in the dryer unless I am touring and the dryer isn't an option. I don't think it has shortened their life at all. I have some that are 20 years old and have had thousands of washings. Yes they are pretty much shot, but at their age I think that is to be expected. The fact that they are still around says that they hold up to the dryer just fine.

I think Machka's comment about the dryer fluffing the chamois is valid too.

I wear fairly inexpensive shorts (Performance Century or similar). I assume that more expensive ones should hold up as well or better to the dryer, but maybe not.

If in doubt follow the recommendations on the care label.

I have about 7 jerseys. I always hand wash them, wring them out, and let them drip dry. I know its unecessary, but I baby my Michigander jerseys.

You don't need to hand-wash shorts...
 

Once again, an urban legend debunked! It's perfectly fine to dry Lycra cycling shorts (actually, Lycra-containing...the majority of the material is nylon or some other synthetic) in the dryer. The instructions to NOT use the dryer date from the days of wool shorts with the real leather chamois; such shorts would NOT have survived a trip through your dryer unscathed (or come out of the dryer in the same size that they went in!). All you need to do is set the dryer for a lower heat setting (which all of them seem to be on home dryers these days) and watch what you put in with the shorts so they don't pick up damage that way (other items containing mechanical or hook fasteners--especially Velcro(tm)--can snag the fabric).

The reason the care labels are so "conservative" with the instructions has really more to do with trying to minimize legal liability (some people see normal wear as "defective" and will sue the maufacturers) and produce the least damage possible to the fabric during cleaning. The truth is, damage from washing is likely to be minimal (unless one is really careless); the apparent damage to your shorts which seems to have come about from machine washing and drying is, in reality, simple wear-and-tear--such as from friction between the shorts and the bike saddle...