Is handwashing shorts okay?

[JerusalemBiker]

Hello all,

I have three pairs of biking shorts, and I do long rides every other day or every three days. This means I use up the shorts pretty fast, and need to do wash frequently. I have always had the feeling that handwashing is not enough for biking shorts, and that they need the strong sterilization of a real machine wash. However, I am way too much of an environmentalist to justify running the machine for 2 pairs of biking shorts! So this means handwashing could be much more convenient.

Have you had adequate results with handwashing bike shorts? I'm afraid they won't get clean enough, and I'll get an infection.

Write soon, ladies -- I want to ride on Saturday!! Should I put them in the machine or in the sink?

PS: I know, I know, buy a 4th or 5th pair...but is this the right solution?! Or is handwashing? Do tell.

[Irulan]

I don't see why not, providing you are using some sort of soap. Remember our ancestors hand washed for hundreds of years and they seemed to do OK.

~Irulan

[fasteryet]

There was a thread going for a while on washing and drying shorts, you can probably use the search function to find it. (something about putting shorts in the dryer, I think)

[Pedal Wench]

I'm still pretty new, so take everything with a grain of salt.

I used to be in the same boat - so I hand-washed each pair as soon as I took them off. Did this for two months, no problem. But, I just started to get some bad saddle sores, and I'm wondering the same thing - did I not wash them good enough to get rid of whatever bugger causes the saddle sores. I just threw all my shorts in the machine. My plan is to wash them daily by hand, but once every few weeks I'll toss them in the machine.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I usually throw my shorts in both the washing machine and the dryer. But when I'm on long tours I usually don't have easy access to either, so I handwash them and let them dry overnight (and sometimes during the day too, attached to my panniers or trailer!). I haven't had a problem with either method.

[smurfalicious]

Hmm, I only have two pairs of shorts, but I usually have plenty of dirty clothes from dealing with the horses, and the general 10 acre mini-ranch lifestyle. Even still, to "freshen up" my shorts between rides I use baby wipes. Just take a wipe and remove the uh, snail trail from my chamois. Works like a charm. I mean, yeah they're still sweaty and such elsewhere, but they're just gonna get sweatier. That's the only thing I don't want to feel icky, so baby wipes to the rescue. Oh, and the huggies brand baby wipes, something with the "juice" from those wipes is awesome for removing blood stains. Probably a protein thing, because shampoo works as well.

love and cookies
-smurf

[doc]

Originally posted by Irulan
I don't see why not, providing you are using some sort of soap. Remember our ancestors hand washed for hundreds of years and they seemed to do OK.

~Irulan

I second that. Once a month in the machine should be plenty.

[Irulan]

it's the dryer that's really hard on your shorts... it kills the lycra. You should line dry them whenever you can.

~I.

[Trek420]

I wash shorts, bike socks jerseys whenever I have enough for a full load in the delicate cycle. Use woolite or some other gentle detergent (there was talk on the thread mentioned of some soaps being better than others, sorry gals, I use whatever's on sale). Then line dry 'em, dry in no time flat.

[maryellen]

at home I always wash by machine, but on vacation I've sometimes handwashed. Go easy on the soap--it's hard to rinse it all out.

[Irulan]

Originally posted by Trek420
I wash shorts, bike socks jerseys whenever I have enough for a full load in the delicate cycle. Use woolite or some other gentle detergent (there was talk on the thread mentioned of some soaps being better than others, sorry gals, I use whatever's on sale). Then line dry 'em, dry in no time flat.

baby shampoo is an inexpenseive substitute for woolite and less harsh,

~Irulan

[CorsairMac]

I throw jerseys, shorts et al in and wash using my regular laundry deg - hang to dry. You can tell wash day in my house coz all my bikie gear - including gloves- are hanging all over the place. I don't hand wash coz it seems I can never get all the soap out. (I prolly use too much!) plus I"m lazy - I'd rather be riding.........or running...........or hiking..........or

[Irulan]

yep that's how I do it. Socks and head bands go in a lingerie bag ( LOL). You can tell what season it is and who's been doing what , by what is on the line.

~I

[slinkedog]

Audio-A... also be sure you're rinsing them really well. It could be residual soap that's causing the saddle sores, or at least adding to the aggrivation. I had this problem with plain old underwear that I would hand wash. Now I delicate cycle them (and my shorts) and line dry. No problems.

[SadieKate]

I agree on drying. Lycra hates heat!! Since my tush seems to like only the champagne-budget shorts, I line dry them. Same for jerseys, tights, etc.

And, don't machine wash water-resistent stuff. It takes away the resistancy and then you have to re-coat. Gently rinse or sponge off the mud.