Clean Shorts

[Kitsune06]

It's not a skidmark unless it's fecal matter

...and besides, discharges are acidic in nature, having an antibacterial, cleansing effect, so they're *hardly* dirty... but I'm getting distracted from my point.

I'm seeing everything from 1 use only to 2+ uses...

I'm wondering if one of the major variables here might be the presence (and amount of) natural discharge etc?
I know the saying goes "If you have to say TMI, just shut up." but I'm going to say "Probably TMI" anyway.... (as if it matters. You ladies taught me how to use a Diva cup!)
I find that even after a short ride, maybe from the saddle or something, dunno, not going into it, but there's a lot of discharge. It's more of a concern for me than sweat... b/c I have no problem re-wearing sweaty items.

It's that that has me just rolling up a pair of cheap, wicking underwear real tiny and throwing it in my commuter bag as an 'extra' and wearing another pair to work under the shorts. I only have one pair, though I'm looking into the cheaper nashbar ones, too. Wicking undies can go into the shower with me and get washed/rinsed (Dr. Bronners liquid soap) wrung out and tucked into my jersey to dry until I go home.

[Kitsune06]

FTR, I wouldn't re-wear it, but I know well enough it's not 'dirty' just uncomfortable. Lots of women have huge bodily fluid hangups. *shrug* Lots don't.

BTW, I don't think you could adequately judge, not quite having the same issues etc yourself. I would liken it to rewearing a balaclava or neoprene facemask that you breathed into and got cold-air snot on. Same antibacterial principals except in salt form. Less squick factor because... *shrug* who knows why.

[pooks]

Upthread somebody said "no fabric softener." I've been using natural detergent and fabric softener from Whole Foods for quite awhile and it never occurred to me not to use the softener on my bike shorts. (Although I admit I may not have read the laundry instructions, maybe?)

So is that pretty standard info, no softener?

[Kitsune06]

I think so... softeners also make fabrics less absorbent, which is *not* what you need in a chamois, imo...

[margo49]

I dunno where I got it from but my theory is that fabric softeners clog up the little channels of the wicking materials - dri-fit's and similar

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Fabric softeners have their uses- in the dryer, they are great for allowing clothes to release the lint or pet hair that might be stubbornly clinging to material (especially to polar fleece, the mother of all cat hair magnets!).
On the other hand, fabric softener will make cotton towels softer but less absorbant- and if you want the most absorbancy, then skip the softener.

[RoadRaven]

If you are using a fabric softener be careful if you have sensitive skin - some people have reactions to fabric softeners and you def don't want THAT kind've reaction down there!

Vinegar makes a good fabric softener - plus its kinder on your wallet, washing machine, and skin...