How often to wash biking clothes?
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How often to wash biking clothes?
Just wondering how often people are washing their biking shorts, jerseys, socks, etc? I do a quick hand wash and drip dry in my laundry sink after each ride. Takes about 5 minutes. Is this about right? I don't have multiple sets of each.
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I wash them after every ride. I have enough stuff that I can do three rides without repeating anything, but never, ever wear your chamois twice in a row. It's like wiping your ass with dirty TP.
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I do a wash once a week, but I wear fresh clothes every day.
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Wash your shorts every single time no matter what or you'll wind up in the Lancing thread. I've never washed a glove in my life - don't they fall apart?
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I find these threads a little funny. If I go out and ride 200 miles I'm in one pair of shorts all day (well, bibs actually). But if I ride for an hour in the morning, air my shorts out, go for an hour at lunch, air them out again, and then go for a 2 hour ride in the evening, I've just done 3 rides. Oh no, the horrors, I didn't wash them after every ride! One fresh pair a day is fine with me. And gloves get nasty after a while too, they need to be washed eventually. I just throw them in with everything else.
#12
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I wash everything but gloves every time I wear them. Gloves I have to remember to through into the pile every now and then.
What do people do with helmets? They get pretty stinky too. I take it into the shower every now and then.
What do people do with helmets? They get pretty stinky too. I take it into the shower every now and then.
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If u don't wash your clothes after every ride, that means u didn't even sweat! Yer banned!
(another Q that doesn't need to be asked).
(another Q that doesn't need to be asked).
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I think the deal with shorts is as much about the sweat crystallizing and becoming an irritant and opening the door for infection as it is about bacteria formation. Three hours on the bike at once vs three one hour rides isn't the same thing. For me, anyway, any time I try and cheat and wear a pair twice it comes back to haunt me.
And I ain't washing no gloves . . .
And I ain't washing no gloves . . .
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I think the deal with shorts is as much about the sweat crystallizing and becoming an irritant and opening the door for infection as it is about bacteria formation. Three hours on the bike at once vs three one hour rides isn't the same thing. For me, anyway, any time I try and cheat and wear a pair twice it comes back to haunt me.
And I ain't washing no gloves . . .
And I ain't washing no gloves . . .
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I seal them in a plastic bag for at least 2 days after each ride before bringing them out again. Then I go on group rides and never let anyone pass me. Always turns into a real hammerfest for some reason.
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I wash bibs and socks after every ride, no exceptions. I wash jerseys after every long ride, I might go twice on one if used for a short (45 minutes or so), easy evening ride.
I wash my gloves when they start to smell like my feet.
I wash my gloves when they start to smell like my feet.
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The question says it all, LOL!
By the way, how often to take a shower?
About the gloves, I wash them 2 or 3 times a month. I do spray them every now and then with febreeze and place them in front of a fan after a long ride or use a hair dryer. Gloves is one thing that will fall apart if washed many times. The other option is to hand wash them instead of a whole cycle of washing which is too harsh for the gloves.
By the way, how often to take a shower?
About the gloves, I wash them 2 or 3 times a month. I do spray them every now and then with febreeze and place them in front of a fan after a long ride or use a hair dryer. Gloves is one thing that will fall apart if washed many times. The other option is to hand wash them instead of a whole cycle of washing which is too harsh for the gloves.
Last edited by mazpr; 07-16-08 at 05:06 PM.
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Question: When I ride to work, with a change of clothes, what do you "ONLY WEAR BIBS ONCE!!!" proponents suggest I do when I get off work and head home? Bring another pair of bibs to change into?
Get real.
Hygiene is essential, but I regularly wear a pair of bibs twice (always the same day) before washing them. The key is chamois cream and letting them air out. Almost all of my racing buddies do the same.
For example, on Tuesdays my team gets together for an easy coffee shop spin in the morning. Then we hit the local Tuesday Night Worlds. I wear the same kit that I was sporting in the morning. Never had a saddle sore.
Get real.
Hygiene is essential, but I regularly wear a pair of bibs twice (always the same day) before washing them. The key is chamois cream and letting them air out. Almost all of my racing buddies do the same.
For example, on Tuesdays my team gets together for an easy coffee shop spin in the morning. Then we hit the local Tuesday Night Worlds. I wear the same kit that I was sporting in the morning. Never had a saddle sore.