Washing your shorts

[SouthernBelle]

In light of the thread on UTIs, AND the fact that I am off the bike until I get rid of this d@*^# yeast infection, what about washing shorts???

I normally wash mine in cold water in the washer and toss them in the dryer. But is this enough to get rid of the evil beasties? You can't bleach 'em. I've never used hot water on them. What do you think.

BTW, I do all the right stuff to avoid these blasted infections. Stil get one every year. You can set your calendar by them.

[bikerchick68]

I wash in cold water with Woolite and let air dry...

I feel for ya on the infection... my doc suggested I eat yogurt daily as well as sour cream to help my body combat them naturally... has helped tremendously! Hope you feel better soon...

[pooks]

Wow, I've been washing mine with the other clothes. Sometimes I let them air dry but sometimes they get tossed in the dryer without me realizing it.

This is bad, huh?

[bikerchick68]

pooks... supposedly it makes the lycra deteriorate faster... as well as the fabric used for jerseys... I figure Woolite is cheaper than new bike clothes so I go with it! LOL...

[mimitabby]

hey, if you have an infection, you had BETTER get those shorts HOT
to wash them!!
your body is more important than the shorts. You can always buy new ones..
we've washed and dried our shorts (all of them) in the washer/warm cycle and
hot dryer and they are doing just great..
But if you don't get the water temp or air temp up you are NOT going to kill the yeast!

[ikkin]

okay, this might be totally dumb, but...

i'm confused! i wear undies under my bike shorts...so they get dirty...but not DIRTY, if you know what i mean. :)

are you supposed to fly sans-undies? help!

[bikerchick68]

ikkin... shorts are meant to be worn commando... no undies as they have seems which can and will creat chafing especially on longer rides!

[chickwhorips]

if i'm not feeling so clean down there and my shorts get dirty, i take antibacterial soap and wash them first by hand, get all the soap out of them then throw them in the washer on cold and hang them to dry.

don't know if your not suppose to do this or not, but i haven't gotten any bad stuff from it yet.

[Geonz]

I still wonder how the word "commando" has come to mean "without underwear," (doesn't say that in my dictionary, I don't *think*) but ya you betcha, it's skin against the chamois.
I, too, have always tossed the shorts in with the laundry, though if I remember, I pull them out and toss 'em on the line instead of putting them through the dryer, which I suspect is the more damaging heat level. I think lycra's a little sturdier than way back in the day when it was the AMAZING replacement for nylon swimsuits (and that one-design-where-the-straps-always-fell-down)
I have also seen what can happen to lycra when it wears out... if you've ever ridden behind somebody whose shorts have gone to the see-through stage in patches... :eek: :eek:
If I were having yeasties I'd probly try ... oh, a vinegar rinse? There's gotta be a pH that makes 'em die.

[Grog]

Most of my new shorts say "Tumble dry low setting" now... So I often do just that, although if given the choice I prefer air drying for everything.

Yes, bike shorts are made to be worn sans underwear. Less chafing. Some people don't feel comfortable like that, that's okay. But they are meant to be worn without undies...

[Gray Gato]

I used that Penquin Sport wash stuff that TE has and it works great.
It's anti-bacterial...

Also have used the soap from Asso....(love the name....I know, it's a high- end bike clothing co but I still giggle when I say the name....)

[DeniseGoldberg]

There are some other threads about washing shorts that you might find helpful. They are referenced in this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=7574&highlight=wash+shorts

My shorts? In the washer with everything else, cold water. And into the dryer on a low setting. (Per the washing instructions in the shorts...) Honestly I think the sun and wearing the shorts does more damage than the low temp dryer.

--- Denise

[Nanci]

ikkn, you won't _die_ if you wear undies, although 99% of people choose not to. I can't do that- it just gives me the creeps!! But I wear Patagonia seamless technical undies.

[margo49]

I always understood yeast to be a vaginal environment imbalance.

Here is my MacGyver - style solution.
Someone told me on a mountain trail in 1984. I have tried it successfully several times and have recommended it to others who have also found it helpful. I have read it in a Women's Herbal too

Take a garlic clove
take a needle and thread - about as long as a tampon string
Up thru the garlic and down again
Tie ends together
Insert 12 hours
Repeat with another garlic for 12 hours

Voila!

note - you can prick (no pun intended) the garlic too but some people (well women people) find it too strong and burn-y

[chickwhorips]

Take a garlic clove
take a needle and thread - about as long as a tampon string
Up thru the garlic and down again
Tie ends together
Insert 12 hours
Repeat with another garlic for 12 hours


i have heard this too. never tried it but i hear it works great!

[caligurl]

i wash in cold water... in the washing machine.. with no dye... no perfume.... a "free" detergent... as per pearl izumi... do NOT use woolite.. it's actually very harsh for your delicate clothes and not good for lycra types (again.. this is per PI! i wrote them about my deteriorating leg warmers.. and when i mentioned woolite.. they said NO NO NO!)

i hang them to dry.... no dryer!

[Alliez]

Sadly this topic is all to close to my heart as well. From what I've read, washing machine water and dryer heat are not hot enough to reliably kill yeasties, and one should use a hot iron on the relevant portions of your underwear to assure that you are reinfecting yourself. I've not tried ironing the chamois on my bike shorts (yet) but I'm going to have to give it a try (unfortunately).

[Pedal Wench]

To help prevent whatever infections cause saddle sores, I've heard folks recommend drying them with the chamois exposed to direct sunlight. That will probably take care of all the nasties.

Maybe tuck as much lycra UNDER the chamois to prevent excess UV damage while it's drying outside.

Edit: In the winter, better come up with another solution. A frozen chamois doesn't sound too comfy!

[mary9761]

I always understood yeast to be a vaginal environment imbalance.

Here is my MacGyver - style solution.
Someone told me on a mountain trail in 1984. I have tried it successfully several times and have recommended it to others who have also found it helpful. I have read it in a Women's Herbal too

Take a garlic clove
take a needle and thread - about as long as a tampon string
Up thru the garlic and down again
Tie ends together
Insert 12 hours
Repeat with another garlic for 12 hours

Voila!

note - you can prick (no pun intended) the garlic too but some people (well women people) find it too strong and burn-y


I don't know about the cure for yeast, but do NOT use garlic in the ear canal for ear infections. How do I know you may ask? I tried this for a sore ear and ended up having to see a doc to have it removed and sheepishly explain how the garlic got into my ear where I couldn't reach it.. :o
Good luck
Mary

[bikerchick68]

I still wonder how the word "commando" has come to mean "without underwear," (doesn't say that in my dictionary, I don't *think*) but ya you betcha, it's skin against the chamois.


http://www.slate.com/id/2112100/fr/rss/

here ya go...

[Eden]

Sadly this topic is all to close to my heart as well. From what I've read, washing machine water and dryer heat are not hot enough to reliably kill yeasties, and one should use a hot iron on the relevant portions of your underwear to assure that you are reinfecting yourself. I've not tried ironing the chamois on my bike shorts (yet) but I'm going to have to give it a try (unfortunately).

eek! I would hesitate to try that as spadex is quite meltable....

I have heard - note: I've never tried this on underwear or bike shorts so if you decided to try this test it out with something you can destroy!! - that you can kill yeast by putting your underwear in the microwave for a few seconds. Lycra might just melt if given this treatment though.

[Brina]

I don't know about the cure for yeast, but do NOT use garlic in the ear canal for ear infections. How do I know you may ask? I tried this for a sore ear and ended up having to see a doc to have it removed and sheepishly explain how the garlic got into my ear where I couldn't reach it.. :o
Good luck
Mary


you can buy garlic oil at most homeopathic stores - it really does work wonders on ear infections.


I have heard - note: I've never tried this on underwear or bike shorts so if you decided to try this test it out with something you can destroy!! - that you can kill yeast by putting your underwear in the microwave for a few seconds. Lycra might just melt if given this treatment though.

My doctor recommended this as well.

[pooks]

I went commando for the first time today. I didn't really feel any difference but you'd better believe I put those sweaty things in the washing machine as soon as I got home!

[Nanci]

I've got the solution!! Garlic butter chamois cream!!

[newbiechick]

I could swear that I just recently read on this forum that cycling shorts should NOT be air dried. I couldn't figure out why ... thought maybe it's because of the stiffness that sometimes results from line drying. But maybe it's because the dryer heat gets rid of bacteria/yeast/whatever. No idea. Anyway, I switched from line drying to throwing them in the dryer. But now I think maybe I should switch back. So confusing. :confused:

My husband has been riding for years and throws all his cycling clothes in the washer and dryer with everything else. Now, of course, he doesn't have to worry about yeast infections and such :) ... but considering how long he's had some of his cycling clothes, they don't seem too much worse for the wear in spite of washing and drying. Actually I have recommended he replace one pair of his shorts ... but he's probably had that pair for years.

My nephew is on his college cycling teams ... and he is fanatically careful about caring for his clothes ... special soap, line dry (I think), etc. I've never seen a 21 year old be so diligent about anything!

newbiechick
aka Shelley

[Lise]

I've got the solution!! Garlic butter chamois cream!!
Ha! I believe you are onto something!

The garlic cure is something my sister swears by.

My approach to yeast (and I treat a lot of this), is that it's a normal part of the ...um... environment down there. There are "good" bacteria, "bad" bacteria, and yeast. When the environment gets out of balance, we get infections (also when other people give us germs, we get infections, but this is not usually the case with yeast). Top culprits:

1. Overcleaning. Healthy lactobacilli (found in yogurt) keep yeast in check. Douching, over-washing can kill those. Let your body clean itself, don't be always washing out your inner parts.

2. Chemical sensitivities. Perfumes, deoderant, dyes. Use only "neutral" soaps. Only non-scented pads. Only white panties. Only scent and dye free laundry soaps. No drier sheets with panties. No bubble baths or bath oils.

3. Lack of air flow. No nylon panties, no tight pants (this is where the bike shorts may be a problem). Sleep without panties on.

4. Stress. Throws everything off.

5. High sugar diet, including alcohol as a sugar. Yeast loves sugar.

6. Diabetes, HIV.

7. Increased levels of female hormones--via contraception or pregnancy.

8. And finally, not everything that itches and smells is yeast. Sometimes it's bacteria out of balance, AKA bacterial vaginosis. No OTC treatment for that, and you can't (yet) diagnosis it yourself at home.

OK, looking at all of the above, figuring the average cyclist is pretty healthy in general and eats fairly well...you're on the saddle clothed in non-breathing fabric for hours at a time. Maybe intensely so for a relatively short part of the year. Hot, dark, moist place with no air flow. Ideal for yeast to grow. So, keep the shorts clean, don't overclean yourself, let there be airflow when you're not on the bike, try the garlic or OTC yeast treatments, get yourself checked out medically if you're having recurrent, frequent yeast infections. My $0.02 Lise

[pooks]

And make sure the yogurt is active culture!

I've heard of women douching with active culture buttermilk or unsweetened/flavored yogurt, too. But fortunately have never felt the need to do that. Eeeuw.

Farm wives knew to drink buttermilk for a yeast infection, though. My grandmother told me that and I didn't believe her!

[mimitabby]

I've got the solution!! Garlic butter chamois cream!!

OMG!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Brandi]

I've got the solution!! Garlic butter chamois cream!! and after you can make garlic bread! (sorry had too,couldn't control finger's on key's)

[Brandi]

I thought we were talking about bladder infections? Lol! What does uti stand for exactly?
I had lot's of yeast infections when I was young, And it turned out that my husband and i were passing it back and forth. The Dr could have told me this. It wasn't until like the 6th one that she figured out what was going on. Ahhh to be young again. Sigh! we should not have been having sex while I was on the mend.

[chickwhorips]

I thought we were talking about bladder infections? Lol! What does uti stand for exactly?


urinary tract infection = uti

for yeast infections i took some yogurt with live cultures in it, put it in a plastic tampon applicator and froze it. then insterted it twice a day for a few days. got rid of the yeast infection no problem. its a bit cold though, have to warn you of that one.

[SouthernBelle]

Boy, I'm gone for a couple of hours...

I haven't noticed any deteriation (SP?) in my shorts by drying them. Another thing did occur to me. Remember those detergents that are made to wash diapers? Aren't they made to kill the beasties????

As to the yeastie beasties, I practically live on yogurt. That's why I thought I might get a pass this year. I wear cotton undies, use no added sugar.

When I got home from the office I used my medicine, and happened to have some cream with tea tree oil. This helped tremendously.

Also I wore a long skirt today and went commando. Twas very liberating. Cool too.

[SouthernBelle]

urinary tract infection = uti

for yeast infections i took some yogurt with live cultures in it, put it in a plastic tampon applicator and froze it. then insterted it twice a day for a few days. got rid of the yeast infection no problem. its a bit cold though, have to warn you of that one.

Actually that cold sounds rather nice right now.

[jeannierides]

My cycling shorts say to dry on low temps, so, like Denise, they go in the washer and dryer with everything else. NO Woolite, though. I was told that Woolite and Tide would break down the lycra and spandex in clothing, partly due to the fact that they both are petroleum based products.

[Bike Goddess]

I wash my shorts in Tide, AND I wear Andiamo underwear. Never had any problems with yeast infections and my shorts look fine. However, since I wear a liner, I don't have to wash every time I ride.

My cut on this is the same as when we couldn't get nylon underwear without cotton in the crotch. People had all kinds of problems as synthetics don't breathe. Hence germs flourish.

[hibiscus09]

I go sans underwear as often as possible -- running shorts, gym lycra tights, biking shorts & jammies are all worn without underwear. As for cleaning the cycling shorts, I always just wash them on warm with Wisk and dry them on low in the dryer. They seem to do fine. I do think to avoid infections, you should take them off as soon as you're done and shower with an antibacterial soap.

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,6235,00.html

http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5355,00.html

[margo49]

. How do I know you may ask? I tried this for a sore ear and ended up having to see a doc to have it removed and sheepishly explain how the garlic got into my ear where I couldn't reach it.. :o


Well since you mention it....
I should have said use embroidery cotton or regular sewing cotton double

How do I know you may ask??!?!

But at least I was able to "recapture" it eventually and dint have to go to the dr. Btw, learned a lot about the anatomy in that stressful 1/2 hour and squatting positions to "shorten the distance"!!!