Fabric softener inhibits wicking properties. That smoothness fabric softener lends comes most commonly from beef tallow. Yes, ladies, fat. Think of the repellant properties of something with oil on it. I also know from my experience as a housekeeper at a small resort, that fabric softener accumulates. We found that the towels weren't absorbent if we used Bounce every single time we dried them. Using fabric softener about every other time worked well, kept the static down but let the towels remain absorbent.

I've been afraid to tumble dry my shorts, didn't want to shorten the life span of the spandex, but reading that so many of you do, I will tumble dry more often. It may also help *fluff* the chamois, is my guess. Now that I think about it, I've only gotten rid of shorts because the chamois is shot, and never had a shorts-career-ending spandex issue.

You learn something new every day! Especially around here!!