Washing Kits

[BlueVet11]

Maybe I'm strange... but I sniff them (not the chamois, just get a little whiff) and they just don't smell "fresh and clean" the first time around. They don't necessarily "stink" but just not as fresh as I'd like... but maybe its just cause they are still wet... maybe I should give them a chance to dry before shunning them to the washer again!

[solobiker]

I usually dry mine outside in the sunshine. I have the shorts turned inside out when drying them out to let the sun get to them. That usually works for us. I have never put a jersey or bike shorts in the dryer.

[malaholic]

Assos makes a blue laundry liquid that we get at the bike shop. It's pricey but you only use a couple capfuls per load. It seems to do a good job both of cleaning and of improving the smell of our bike clothes, even if I don't remember to put them in the wash right away.

[witeowl]

I converted to Charlie's Soap a long time ago, and I've not looked back. I wash all my clothing together (tech, cycling, nontech), all on cold. I hang what musn't be tumble dried, and don't use any fabric softener. (I don't need to anymore! It's soft without any "softener" because I'm not getting detergent build-up!) Nothing smells perfumy, and it all smells fabulously clean. (As the package recommends, if I want to smell flowers, I go pick some. )

And let me tell you, it's not like my sweat don't stink. On top of that, I will often hang something for a couple of days, wear a second time, and let it sit in the hamper until wash day. Charlie's Soap is good enough to conquer even that odorific treatment!

I sound like an ad, don't I? What can I say? I love certain discoveries I've made.

The only caveat is that it's not particularly good at getting out grease stains. For that, I'll use some shout gel when necessary.

(Oh, and if you feel you "need" softener for the anti-static, I find that these work well enough in our desert air.)

[OakLeaf]

It's soft without any "softener" because I'm not getting detergent build-up!

Never use fabric softener on tech wear. (I know you said you don't, just in general. ) It works by putting on a waxy coating that keeps the fabric from breathing.

When you hang your cottons to dry you learn how "hard" water got its name! But they soften up as soon as you use them.

[Mr. SR500]

I know there are people here that think WIN is a rip-off, but it is great! Works perfect, no smells, everything is clean, and one bottle last a long time. I sure I could mix up something to do the same thing, but WIN is easy and works great!

[lo123]

I know there are people here that think WIN is a rip-off, but it is great! Works perfect, no smells, everything is clean, and one bottle last a long time. I sure I could mix up something to do the same thing, but WIN is easy and works great!

++ for WIN.

I started using it on my gym wear, especially cotton that would get that funky smell that just wouldn't die. It works wonders on that (as long as the fabric's not beyond the point of no return in the case of cotton).

No dryer for me. I hang my stuff on hangers indoors to dry. no problems there.

[kenyonchris]

Geez. Now I am worried. I wash everything...I mean everything, in Cheer then stick it in the dryer. Shorts and all. Sometimes the chamois is a little crumpled, I stick a book on it and there you go.
Suzy Homemaker I am not. In fact, barely competent at anything domestic. But I would hate to smell funny, and I am sort of germaphobe cleanfreak (a result of handling some really nasty people and really nasty conditions.

[Becky]

There was a really good thread about this not too long ago. I remember that someone recommended Biz, but I haven't found it yet.

Currently, I do our cycling stuff in its own load about once a week. I use my usual detergent and washing soda for the wash, and white vinegar in the rinse to get rid of any soap residues.

It seems to work well enough for stink-busting, even with DH's ripe cycling clothes!

[SheFly]

Geez. Now I am worried. I wash everything...I mean everything, in Cheer then stick it in the dryer. Shorts and all. Sometimes the chamois is a little crumpled, I stick a book on it and there you go.
Suzy Homemaker I am not. In fact, barely competent at anything domestic. But I would hate to smell funny, and I am sort of germaphobe cleanfreak (a result of handling some really nasty people and really nasty conditions.

Not to worry - we have bike clothes in the laundry 5 days out of 7, and I wash them with the regular clothes, in cold, with regular detergent (Tide) and then put them in the dryer. I'm on year 2 of the same kit, and I only have 2 which I wear CONSTANTLY. They don't smell, and they are clean.

SheFly