Woolite - yes or no?

[badger]

I realize this is a pretty old thread and nobody probably reads it anymore, but I thought I'd add my two cents. I also haven't read the whole thread so forgive me if it's strayed from where the conversations have gone.

Regarding the stink on clothes, has anyone here tried merino wool? I've recently been making a concerted effort to switch my workout gear to as much natural fibres as possible, as I find synthetics hold the stink and even seem to magnify it.

Merino wool is light, itch free, controls body temperature, wicks like crazy, and doesn't hold any stink (really!!). Most of my shirts and all my socks are now merino wool, and I honestly can't find anything to complain about, maybe that they might pill more.

there might be issues with the mistreatment of some of the sheep may go through, called muelsing (much like a male circumcision, a cutting of flap of skin over their tail to prevent fly infestation). But come 2010, muelsing will be banned, and some companies already carry non-muelsing merino wool.

I might just be talking out of my butt because I hate wearing jerseys, but if it's for just training purposes and you don't care what you look like, then I highly recommend looking into merino wool. Not cheap, but if you look through ebay or sometimes cheap stuff come up on steepandcheap.com.

[SouthernBelle]

Badger,

If you go to the apparel section, there is a 56 page thread on wool and those who love it.

[SadieKate]

No one has mentioned this. We stumbled upon the product at the hardware store several years ago. Being a believer in good old baking soda for gentle effective cleansing plus allergic to the perfumes, we tried it. Wow. Fresh, sparkling clothes. Except for the oldest of Capilene products, all synthetics are fine (no, not all synthetics build up scent). Googling around the net, Arm & Hammer seems to win comparison with the other big names. Fortunately, we can get it anywhere now. I'm trying the one with softener now for the sheets and towels, so far so good.

http://www.thelaundrybasket.com/Our_...Detergent.html

Not to mention it is biodegradable, and the box and scoop use recycled materials.

While I love wool, there are times when the new microfibers can't be beat for functionality so it's nice to have a product that takes out all the stink.

[awm03]

I use bleach and Borax, and to heck with the fabric care instructions. Bleach is the only thing that kills the bacteria & Borax helps too. Maybe these shorten the life span of my bike clothes, but at least I'm fresh as a daisy for my ride. It doesn't take a whole lot of bleach, either: half a cup for a full load. Use about a cup of Borax. Warm water.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I use bleach and Borax, and to heck with the fabric care instructions. Bleach is the only thing that kills the bacteria & Borax helps too. Maybe these shorten the life span of my bike clothes, but at least I'm fresh as a daisy for my ride. It doesn't take a whole lot of bleach, either: half a cup for a full load. Use about a cup of Borax. Warm water.

I assume you are talking about using bleach on stinky synthetic, lycra, and polyester type biking clothes.... Not on real wool. {{{shudder}}}

[awm03]

Oh of course, stinky plastic athletic clothing! And I forgot to say that I add bleach & borax along with the regular laundry soap too.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh of course, stinky plastic athletic clothing!

Whew! You had me scared for a minute there!

Hey wouldn't that be funny, to have a big website business called
Stinky Plastic Athletic Clothing ? it would be refreshing!

Mind you, I myself have some stinky plastic athletic clothing that I just love and use often myself. (I'm a SheBeest and LouisGarneau fan) But I also am very much into real wool. Each thing has it's good uses.