Washing shorts/jerseys....

[Becky]

I use my everyday detergent (Sun and Earth- all natural), along with a 1/2 cup of washing soda, and white vineger in the softener cup. The washing soda helps break up the sweat and odor, while the vinegar ensures that all of the soap residue is gone. Cycling clothes generally don't get filthy, just sweaty, so I run the machine on the delicate cycle to save energy and water. Everything gets line-dried to protect the fabric- heat is hard on lycra.

Even Hubby's "man-stinky" cycling clothes smell fresh after washing. I've even noticed that, since I've begun washing this way, his jerseys don't reek after riding either. Just a normal sweaty smell, but not that "what died?" stench that synthetics sometimes get over time.

[Fujichants]

I just use Tide on the warm/cold setting and then line dry my shorts. So far, so good!

[OakLeaf]

Just to clarify, soap and detergent not necessarily the same thing. Soap is salts of fatty acids, like Dr. Bronner's, olive oil soap, or NikWax TechWash. Most laundry products (including Woolite and Mrs. Meyers) are not soap.

Per the dictionary definition, soap is a detergent, but usually when something's called "detergent," it means it is NOT soap.

Gore-Tex and other breathable membranes should only be washed with soap, because detergent residues will prevent water from beading on the outside, which is necessary for the membrane to function.