I finally got some Assos bibs (very nice btw).

I'm wondering what people use for laundry detergent for all of this synthetic stuff. I've got a whole closet full of various "technical" clothing and was wondering what a good recommended detergent is.

I use laundry detergent for laundry detergent.

Tide powder for he machines

Depends what's on sale at the supermarket.

I think the trick is not the detergent, but use cold water on the delicate wash cycle

I use the non-perfumed, clear Costco house brand liquid detergent.

Can't afford Assos but I've always used Woolite or whatever 'natural eco whatever' brand I have on hand for all my cycling and other 'technical' garments - cold wash on delicate cycle; hang to dry. Nothing has disintegrated so far.

Liquid Tide in cool water wash, delicate cycle. Double rinse, never ever any fabric softener, hang dry. If shorts or jerseys start to develop odors, which all synthetics are prone to do, dampen the affected areas and sprinkle with baking soda. Let sit for awhile then wash as above.

And DO NOT over use the detergent. Pay attention to the recommended amounts on the washing machine and detergent bottle.

Cold water. Any detergent. Regular cycle. Heated machine drying. If the clothes can't take a joke, ...

Assos wash for Assos bibs. You wouldn't throw an Armani Tuxedo in there with Tide, so why would you do it with a pair of shorts that costs the same?

as long as you wash only your cycling gear with it, and save up a few kits between washes, one bottle of the Assos wash lasts a long time.

Because the tuxedo isn't washable and the shorts are.

I use Tide Free and cold water. No fabric softener as it clogs up the wicking ability of technical clothing. Also no dryer sheets because I almost never use a dryer with technical clothing. The only exception is that some shorts actually recommend machine drying on low to fluff up the pad. Read the label and follow.

I also use Penguin Sport-Wash and it does a good job. Performance Bike sells it.

Whatever cold water HE detergent is on sale. Always the minimum specified by the machine or detergent bottle. 1/2 cup of white vinegar(or baking soda) if stuff is getting gamey.Hang to dry. Never any softener of any kind.

What?! Only losers don"t use WIN

I hand wash bibs with 'gentle' soap, mostly so I can really target the nastee bits, not so much to spare them from detergents.

I'd make more of a point of making sure they're in lingerie bag, rather than worrying about detergents.

I've never had any Assosseseses, but, from my experience, lycra loses it's elasticity/conformity, or will be damaged from saddle rub before harsh detergents will break the fabric down

I am the same. Maybe it matters somehow what you use. But if it does, I never noticed. If they somehow deteriorate faster when using normal detergent from various brands, then I will buy new ones. I do not own bibs expensive enough to worry about. The fanciest ones are a pair of Pearl Izumi elites that I bought for like 50 euros.

Tide Cold Water detergent in my top-loader washer / cold water. Hang dry indoors.

I use Woolite For Dark Clothing, or similar generic type. Very small amount, it's concentrated.
I use warm water on the shortest cycle.
Hang to dry.



S

My wife's assos bibs, and jerseys go in the regular laundry, permanent press cycle, with Tide, along with all the other clothes.

Her Assos stuff seems to be wearing fine without any issue. I think Assos' handling instructions are way over the top, and in part are intended to add to the perceived value of the brand, as oppossed to being based on any sound data.

Any clothing that can't go through the regular wash cycle isn't worht bothering with for me.

^^^+1^^^

That said, chlorine bleach is bad and fabric softeners are bad. Chlorine bleach will degrade materials and fabric softeners ruin hygroscopic properties. Borax or Oxiclean are safe alternatives to bleach for killing odors and disinfecting.

But Merlin, surely you would feel more special if your clothes needed special treatment. How can you bear to wear cycling clothes that can be washed along with everything else? And I bet your shorts only last about 10 years that way. Tsk, tsk. Think of the value you are giving up. I have been able to get 25+ years out of my cycling clothes by contracting the 7 dwarfs to care for mine. All hand work, rain water collected from rose petals, Castillian soap made from the finest extra virgin olive oil, and a drying regimen consisting of Grumpy blowing over the garments on a cloudy day. You really should try it. I think the dwarfs have some time available for one or two more clients.

Tide and OxyClean on gentle cycle, hang dry. That's about it for special handling at my house. My bibs roast long before due to road rash and saddle wear.

Well, yeah.

But I'm not gonna dry my Assos bibs with the dryer set to "Volcanic" either.

ha!