Is handwashing shorts okay?

[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.

[Barb]

Can you believe we have 2 pages (22 posts) about dirty laundry?

OK SUNNY CAL GIRL!!!! Not fair. I'm sitting here reading about laundry cuz I am bored and want to bike. It's 34 out and overcast. It has been spitting rain and threatening ice. I guess I would bike out to grocery shop but I just changed over to clipless, even on the beater and haven't actually tried them on real road (just the trainer). ho hum first day of spring my b***!!!

[Trek420]

Barb, sunny CA gal my a** ;-)

Rained buckets yesterday, my hat's off to all who rode.

No sooner did I step outside for a jog with dog (more like shuffle, stop, sniff, roll, repeat. No, I'm not the one sniffing and rolling) then it started drizzleing, then rain. I come back inside....stops.

I'm sure AG, jobob, V, SadieK and the others are all out there just as many of you are riding through snow hail gloom of night etc. I'm doing my bit.

If I ride the cycleops your day will be sunny, if I saddle up it'll poar. Also; never get behind me in the supermarket line regardless of how short the line is. Whoever is in front of me can't remember their pin code, has no checks or cash.

Irulan, as always you're the best. Shoulda thought of that, like testing cleaners on furniture, doh!

[LBTC]

many years ago I read in a bike magazine that bike shorts should be washed on gentle in cold water, inside out, then hung to dry, preferably in the SUN. the sun would kill any bugs, etc, that might remain in the chamois.

I do always cold water, no dryer, line dry, tho must admit a tiny bit of frabric softener sneaks into everything, but that's balanced because I use purex baby soft for all my clothes because of sensitive skin. Yes, on holidays I hand wash. Every second day I do a load, even in the off season, because of kickboxing clothes - same idea - only 2 bottoms for that , too. In biking season, with 2 of us, I hate having to do a load every second day (or even after each ride) but it still happens. I must admit, this process has a tough time removing that outer bit of evil mud. (you have not seen mud til you've seen cariboo mud it will stain paint!!), but this stuff is to be used, so mud stains get to stain there!!

and, yes, I'm posting about laundry because there is 6 inches of snow outside that fell over the last 2 days and I'm guessing some of it should be shovelled. ICK

Namaste,
~T~

[AutumnBreez]

I am so with Adventure Girl on this one!

Bike gear is...gear. Sports gear (running, swimming, riding, skiing etc etc) is a tool . Tools are meant to be used. Care for them, but don't treat 'em with kid gloves.

Bike shorts are exposed to extreme temperatures all the time. They are also exposed to salt, blood, mud, gravel, bugs, snot, UV rays, sunscreen, pb&j, Cytomax....the list goes on and on. The Lycra breaks down with simple movement and the friction caused by thighs-meeting-bike-seat.

Life is too short and there are way too many trails and roads to explore to waste time worrying about "ruining" bike clothes. A little known fact about bike clothes is that the worst thing you can do to 'em is to leave them stuffed in a drawer; unused and unloved.

Wash normally together in regular det. and dry in fluff or low heat dryer. Enjoy the ride, sweat and dirty them all over again then wash and fluff/low heat again. Clean is what matters to me, will not worry about breaking them down. They are used with love!

[Veronica]

I wash mine with my feet.

V.

[Trek420]

Veronica

Is that in the same vat you're stomping grapes in for wine?

T

[Veronica]

You betcha!

[Trek420]

I'm picturing it like the "I love Lucy" grape episode. There, that dates me.

Trek, doing my bit for CA cyclists: went outside to do weeding, it started to rain, came inside, it stopped.

[Veronica]

You saw it in reruns - not the original.

V.