Don't use Woolite?
 

I just read in Bicycling saying not to use Woolite for washing bike clothing. Is this true? I've been using it for a couple of years now on all my bike stuff and I don't have wool but I thought this was a god product for todays wicking type fabrics.

If woolite is not ok what brand names would you recommend?

Thanks.

Why do they not like Woolite?

Woolite probably turned them down for advertising. ;)

You may want to choose real world experience over anonymous advice.

I don't know about Woolite per se, but you don't want to use any type of product that has fabric softeners as they reduce the wicking capability of technical fabrics. Also avoid anything with bleach or hydrogen peroxide (like Oxiclean) as it degrades rubber and elastic.

I've used plain ol' powdered or liquid laundry detergent on my stuff for years.

Well if they don't recommend Woolite (which is what I use) did they give recommendations on what to use?

How about laundry detergent, as suggested by Looigi? Sometimes but not always care tags on clothing have useful info.

Woolite isn't recommended for use by textile crafters (such as quilters and other needleworkers) because it contains optical brighteners. Plain ol' laundry detergent will do just fine. If you're dead set on handwashing, get a quilt soap (or save money and pick up a gallon jug of Orvus from your local feed store--it's horse shampoo--and since you're only using a pinkie-finger's nail's worth, it'll last a very long time).

Condorita, textile crafter

For what it's worth REI says Woolite is "too oily": http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/arti...bric+care.html

I've been using woolite for Dark colors for years on my bike clothing without any problem.

Ok, I guess the composition of Woolite that helps keep wool soft and working correctly can harm the technical products. I'll head down to the feed store and see if they have any Orvus.

I've been using Woolite on the hand wash cycle for years. No problems!

Be there somebody trolling with bad rumors????

Bicycling Magazine said that...hmmmmm. A few years ago, Woolite was their RECOMMENDATION.

Oh, look -- more bathroom reading!

(That's what I do with trivia....)

BTW, I've used laundry soap, shampoo also, with no ill effects to the fabric.

I use Kookaburra Woolwash on my wool jerseys and shorts. My sister-in-law who owns a yarn store and who has been in the business for MANY years, swears by the stuff. Evidently regular detergents can remove the natural oils in the wool and that's not a good thing. Kookaburra doesn't do that and even helps to restore them. I was just reading the site and I noticed that it it even good for Lycra/Spandex type fabrics. I have not used it for that, however. Normal practice for me is to put my riding clothes into mesh lingerie bags (keeps zippers from rubbing on other things) and wash them in the washing machine, but hang them to air dry. The practice is the same for wool or synthetics.

http://kookaburraco.com/wash_buynow.htm

Wool is a lot different than synthetics, so it's not unreasonable to think optimal care would be different too. REI says Woolite is "too oily". As mentioned, the main concern with this and fabric softeners is reducing the wicking properties of synthetic technical fabrics. It won't make them fall apart prematurely. Is this a problem? You may not ever notice or be aware of it.

Good article, very useful.

I use Tide powder and a bit of 20 mule team borax in the wash, then hang dry. Gets out the funky odors.

For wool: Hand wash in Woolite.
Everything else: Goes in the washer with the regular laundry.

Edited to add: Don't put fleece in the same load as fuzzy towels. It leaves towel fuzz on the fleece.

Laundry detergent and a front-load washer. Nothing much better. Clothes last soooooooooooo much longer with front-load washers.

why?

The tumbling of the front loader is easier on the fabrics than the agitation of a top loader. That said, I've never owned a front loader and have never noticed any undue wear and tear from my top loader.

For my cycling clothes, I wash w/ normal detergent in the top loader on regular cycle and tumble dry on extra low heat setting. I usually put the bibs in a washing bag so the straps don't get tangled with and wrapped around other stuff.

using the dryer on your bike clothes will cut down on wicking.
Try drying a bath towel in the dryer and one outside on the clothes line.
Big difference in drying capabilities.

I hand wash my cycling clothes with any old laundry detergent in warm water. Spin them in the washer, hang up and they are dry the next morning. I also wash my gloves. I have a thin windbreaker and don't wash that. As it is worn over layers, it doesn't get skanky.