Does anyone have any advice on how to remove hard water rust/iron stains from "good fabric" laundry?

By "good fabric" I mean, expensive silky technical wicking material...

cycling jerseys, CWX sports bras, good techical Nike tank tops... are you adding up the amount of money$$ a washing machine can hold (&destroy) here?

*sigh*

My water softener has had some random working vs not-working episodes lately, and while DH thought he had it fixed pushing this test-reset button thingy, this recent load decided to NOT wash with soft rust free water.

I googled & e-How has some solution that involves a lot of vinegar, salt, & *hot* water. http://www.ehow.com/how_6536439_remo...er-stains.html

OK, normally clothes like this I was on delicate in cold water with woolite, and hang to dry. The clothing pieces are all aero-fitted so hot water would shrink them I think, plus potential for the solution to eat a hole in the fabric?

Why don't these things happen when it's a load of towel rags? Thank gawd at least bike shorts are black!

TYIA~
Miranda