Dumb question from newbie. Can bike shorts go in washing machine?

[boulderbliss]

I just invested in a couple of pairs of new biking shorts and the washing directions are very vague. My Sugoi say to wash before wearing, but do not say how. Can bike shorts go in the washing machine or should they be hand washed? Thank you!!

[snapdragen]

Sure they can. You'll get a million different ways to wash them, here's what I do.

In the machine on delicate
Hot water
Regular soap (I use All - unscented)
Rinse twice
Line Dry

Some of the girls will put their shorts in the dryer on low.

[DeniseGoldberg]

It depends on the shorts. (And of course it also depends on your personal preference.) I wear Pearl Izumi ultrasensor shorts and I put them in both the washer (cold water only) and the dryer (low temps). What does the washing instruction tag on the shorts say?

--- Denise

[boulderbliss]

This is all it says on the tag, "For best performance wash before wear, rinse thoroughly, wash separately."

Guess I'll throw them in the wash on delicate with cold water and hope for the best.

Thanks for the responses.

[Eden]

I wash all of my bike stuff on cold in a front loader so I don't have to worry about delicate or not, and dry them in the dryer on the no heat setting. I haven't had any problems other than the logos on the shorts coming off (and I don't really care about that). Heat is the enemy of lycra - breaks down its elasticity- so as long as you keep them away from a hot dryer you should be fine. It takes about 2 hours to fully dry everything (no damp chamois) on the "air" setting for me v/s overnight for line drying. I've also found I like woolight (gets out the sweatyness better) over the powder detergent that I usually use on all of my other laundry.

[alpinerabbit]

Warm water (100F? it's 40°C) and air drying. I hate the dryer for any clothing !
Sometimes I just use some shampoo for the chamois, rinse and dry, and use one more time before it goes into the machine.

[Geonz]

Or, just leap into the shower, peel 'em off and stomp around on 'em in the soapy water, rinse, & hang 'em up. (How to get through a weeks' ride on two pairs of shorts).

[SadieKate]

I own no Sugoi shorts but 4 other brands specified cool or cold water and a 5th specified 30 C/86 F, which is cool in my realm. I don't use the dryer for anything I don't have to for energy savings.

Geonz, don't forget drying the 2nd pair inside out flapping off the back of your panniers.

[caligurl]

i machine wash all my cycling gear... in cold water... hang it to dry..

i have an issue with my pearl izumi leg warmers (they are turning grey.. like the "elastic" in the material is breaking...) they told me that is indicative of a chemical reaction and asked what detergent i was using.. i had JUST started using woolite for dark clothes.. so that is what i told them (truthfully.. don't know that they've been washed in woolite even once.. cuz i don't wash them everytime like i do shorts and jerserys...)

anyways... they told me that woolite is one of the worst detergents to use and go get some plain.. unscented detergent...

none of my other stuff is "wearing out" from either the purex or woolite... so i think i just got defective leg warmers.. but wanted to share what they (PI) told me!

[Pedal Wench]

Yikes! I always use the Woolite for Dark. I wonder if I would be better with something like they use for baby stuff. Downy, I think?

[margo49]

On "delicates" setting at 35 - 40 deg C (cool ?? ) with delicates washing liquid and no softener. Air dry but not in direct sunshine

[Trekhawk]

I just invested in a couple of pairs of new biking shorts and the washing directions are very vague. My Sugoi say to wash before wearing, but do not say how. Can bike shorts go in the washing machine or should they be hand washed? Thank you!!

I wear Sugoi shorts, I wash mine on the gentle cycle in cold water and then line dry.

[CorsairMac]

I wash All my cycling clothes from leg warmers and long underwear to gloves in cold water, regular cycle, and hang to dry. I do remember one of the tags saying no fabric softener so I just use regular detergent.

[RoadRaven]

There is another thread here... I remember from when I first joined, and there were lots of ways people washed their shorts.

I always try and wash our shorts ASAP, in a warm wash on a long cycle, and then air-dry, and mostly in the sun-shine. I just use a regular detergent (PERSIL) and no softeners or additives...

As for the "Woolite" CaliGirl... perhaps it is because there is residue from the previous wash left in the machine and it is "just enough" to affect your shorts? Dunno... just a guess...

Good luck with finding a solution...

[caligurl]

the leg warmers are the only thing that is deteriorating... so not sure why? heck... some of hubby's shorts that he's had a while look better then those darned leg warmers!

another thing i do... i always run the rinse cycle a second time.... so wash once.. rinse twice.. and i don't use fabric softener either!