Is handwashing shorts okay?

[Irulan]

Originally posted by SadieKate
I'm not talking waterproof fabrics like Goretex. I'm talking about some of the less expensive water-resistent nylon fabrics. I have friends who put their jackets in the washer and dryer with every wearing and then wonder why the garment doesn't repell ANY water.

yep,constant washing... that would kill any coating or treatment!

Industry tip: If any of you want to check out the newest, coolest water resistant fabrics, check out things made with EPIC fabric. It's pretty amazing stuff. Instead of coatings or lamination, the fibers are "encapsulated", that is the treatment is built into the fibers and therefor cannot be lessened with laundering. EPIC is also made out of cotton (!!) and not synthetic materials. I don't see that this new fabric has trickeled down from technical gear to cycling yet, but soon maybe.

Irulan

[Trek420]

I'm bumping this back up on this rainy-threatening-to-thunderstorm day (if I take the bike out it'll downpour, if I stay in it'll be fine, oh heck I'm going outside).

question is this: over the seasons from different charity bike rides I've got jerseys that are signed/drawn all over by my sponsors. As far as I know all the "art" is with a water proof pens like sharpies. I've worn them once, put 'em away although one's up on my wall. I'm afraid to launder it and wear again because either every thing'll wash off or smudge.

hand launder? dry clean? leave it alone and let the Smithsonian deal with it?

[Irulan]

got any sharpies around? You could always do a test... mark up something you don't care about, let it age appropriately, then wash it. Other than that I'd try hand washing with some baby shampoo ( very gentle) and hope for the best....

~I.