Washing Kits

[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.

[hilldweller]

Wash with other clothes, usually cold wash, occasionally warm, line dry if possible, or on a clothes rack inside, chamois side out. Have to admit I've never actually bothered to smell them, but they always look and feel nice and clean.

[Owlie]

While we're on the topic:
Grease: How do you get rid of it?

[kermit]

For grease I use Goo Gone. Works well.

[Crankin]

I wash my bike stuff in the regular hot water load, with whatever brand of hypoallergenic detergent I am using. I wash them on hot, as it seemed to stop the various infections I was getting. It's caused no problems. Jerseys get washed on cold.
Hang the shorts to dry inside out. My newer jerseys don't get put in the dryer, but I have a couple of Terry jerseys from 5-6 years ago that can go in the dryer.

[SheFly]

While we're on the topic:
Grease: How do you get rid of it?

Shout and OxyClean

SheFly

[WindingRoad]

+1 on the OxyClean That stuff really works great to get rid of odor.

[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

[crazycanuck]

Hey KC,

Why not just wash your bike stuff then air dry it on hangers? (inside is ok.) We do it all the time.

We don't have a dryer as it's only 3-4 months of the year that we have coolish weather.