Clean Shorts

[DrBee]

I have 2 pairs of shorts and definitely wash them after I wear them. I like the shower idea - I'll have to try that.

You can always pick up a relatively inexpensive pair on Nashbar or Performance for under $30. They work fine while you're saving up for the more expensive shorts. Just a thought.

[CorsairMac]

ok - this is just gonna blow everyones mind but I wash mine based on miles. Since I"m a bike commuter and I avg 12 miles a day, I wear my shorts for 2 days - or 24 miles. If I do a noon ride then I wash my shorts every day since a noon ride is 10-15 miles or 22-27 miles that day. I do wash them in cold water and hang them to dry and I use Tide since that's the only thing that seems to keep the shorts and jerseys smelling fresh. I own 6 pairs of long shorts and 4 pairs of short shorts so I have shorts for the weekend just in case I do use a pair every day (or I've gone over a week without doing laundry {see the how many jerseys is too many thread lol}) To date I haven't had any issues with yeast infections or saddle sores caused by wearing a pair of shorts for more than 1 day. I've even - - taken Fridays commuter shorts which have only been worn for 12 miles and worn them for a 20+ ride on Saturday before throwing them in the wash.

[Bad JuJu]

I understand the "our own healthy flora" theory, and I also think that we can sometimes attempt to be too clean for our own good--keeps us from building up our body's own defenses.

Having said that, however, I don't know if I could bear to put on a pair of shorts I'd already worn without washing them. On the other hand, I live in Florida, so maybe my cycling clothes get sweatier and funkier than they would in a drier, cooler climate.

Anyway, I just wanted to mention an idea for machine-washing--in addition to using a mild biodegradable cleaner and the delicate cycle, I put my shorts in a lingerie bag for washing. This saves them from some of the wear-and-tear of machine agitation. And hang dry them every time--the dryer is notoriously tough on delicate fabrics. Though I suppose it might not be a bad idea to run them through the dryer on the air cycle, with no heat.

Just some ideas, though I admit I really like that washing-in-the-shower idea, too.

[Trekhawk]

When I get back from a ride I pop all of my cycling gear in my front loader together. At this time of year that includes tights and jacket. I wash them on the hand wash cycle and then air dry them on a rack (inside if the weather is horrid outside on the deck if nice). This seems to work well for me but I do have three sets of bike shorts.

[three]

Thanks for all the tips and information. I'll try the shower thing today. Hopefully, I'll be able to afford another pair (or two) sooner than later.

[bcipam]

I wash my shorts, jerseys and underwear all in the regular wash (delicates, cold) but hang them up to dry. I've never had a problem and the garments stay nice. I've washed them in the shower but only when travelling and I don't have a washing machine handy. Assos makes a wash product that is good to use on trips.

PS: I have alot of shorts so I wear once and wash. Best to have 3 pairs to rotate. Watch for sales and buy when the price is right.

[Geonz]

I think time is more of the factor.

I thought "shower washing" was when I got home from the ride all sweaty, peeled off, leaped in the shower and just tossed the shorts & jersey & bra in there with me and kneaded it with my toes in the shampooey soapy water coming off my hair....

[caligurl]

i wash my shorts after every wear (just like i wash my underwear after every wear!)

i was all my cycling stuff in the washer... i use dye-free, scent-free detergents (was advised that woolite is one of the harshest detergents out there.. and to use the "free" stuff for delicates!)

i do not use fabric softener on my cycling clothes (or workout clothes, either)

i hang all my cycling.... usually inside.. (but ocassionally i'll get ambitious and hang them outside! lol!)

[Dianyla]

CorsairMac, I'm with you on the "12 mile rule" for rewearing shorts. It's like the 5-second rule for dropped food on the floor.

[RoadRaven]

eeewwww... def wash shorts after every ride... never wear twice in a row...

I have a net bag that hangs in the laundry, and all cyclists chuck their cycling gear in there - socks, jersey, shorts (and for me, crop top).

That way, if I can't wash straight away, they are aired and don't sit in a corner getting damp and growing stuff

Then they go through a normal machine wash, and pref a sun-dry otherwise they get hung in the kitchen near the windows...

The other reason to be "onto it" with washing and never wearing twice unless unavoidable is "refuse" if you will from other parts of the behind... one of the riders in the house regularly leaves a trace of skid-marks in his shorts... now for girls, letting fecal bits near your girly bits can cause major probs... another reason to ALWAYS wear clean shorts.

[Dianyla]

one of the riders in the house regularly leaves a trace of skid-marks in his shorts... now for girls, letting fecal bits near your girly bits can cause major probs... another reason to ALWAYS wear clean shorts.

I thought skidmarks, dingleberries, and the like were primarily a "guy thing". I wipe very carefully and repeat it as many times as necessary to get the job done and it's never been a problem for me. Besides, if I commute, I'm not going to bring a spare pair to wear on the ride home.

[DirtDiva]

Besides, if I commute, I'm not going to bring a spare pair to wear on the ride home.

Exactly. I've got more of a one-pair-per-day rule.

[RoadRaven]

I thought skidmarks, dingleberries, and the like were primarily a "guy thing". I wipe very carefully and repeat it as many times as necessary to get the job done and it's never been a problem for me. Besides, if I commute, I'm not going to bring a spare pair to wear on the ride home.

Hey there Dianyla
I think you are right re women doing a generally better job of wiping, but I was endeavouring to allude to other bodily functions like farting (am i allowed to write fart? guess I'll find out )
When one considers that research shows that we should not keep our toothbrushes in the same room as our toilet because fecal matter can be found in minute particles in the air up to 1 1/2 metres away after the flush...

... then I think if we fart on our ride (and c'mon, it would be a rare person who hasn't farted at least once on at least one ride...) then fecal matter in miunte particles will come out and while that is fine for the ride, to leave it to mingle with the usual secretions from our girly bits and grow delightful things til the next ride a day or two later... ewww...

And no Dianyla and Kiwi, sorry to be unclear, I didn't mean take two pairs of shorts in a day, I often bike to work, leave my shorts somewhere to dry as best they can and then wear them home again. However, the first thing I do when I get home is get rid of the shorts and if I can't shower or bathe straight away then I slap on some aftershave and go commando til I can.

[Geonz]

Gosh, I always thought 'dingleberry' meant "low-end, cheap" as in a "dingleberry computer" ... my vocabulary grows@!

[li10up]

Drying your shorts in sunlight (chamois facing out) will kill the nasty buggers trying to grow on them...ultraviolet light...not good for us, not good for them!