Washing your shorts

[Grog]

Most of my new shorts say "Tumble dry low setting" now... So I often do just that, although if given the choice I prefer air drying for everything.

Yes, bike shorts are made to be worn sans underwear. Less chafing. Some people don't feel comfortable like that, that's okay. But they are meant to be worn without undies...

[Gray Gato]

I used that Penquin Sport wash stuff that TE has and it works great.
It's anti-bacterial...

Also have used the soap from Asso....(love the name....I know, it's a high- end bike clothing co but I still giggle when I say the name....)

[DeniseGoldberg]

There are some other threads about washing shorts that you might find helpful. They are referenced in this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ht=wash+shorts

My shorts? In the washer with everything else, cold water. And into the dryer on a low setting. (Per the washing instructions in the shorts...) Honestly I think the sun and wearing the shorts does more damage than the low temp dryer.

--- Denise

[Nanci]

ikkn, you won't _die_ if you wear undies, although 99% of people choose not to. I can't do that- it just gives me the creeps!! But I wear Patagonia seamless technical undies.

[margo49]

I always understood yeast to be a vaginal environment imbalance.

Here is my MacGyver - style solution.
Someone told me on a mountain trail in 1984. I have tried it successfully several times and have recommended it to others who have also found it helpful. I have read it in a Women's Herbal too

Take a garlic clove
take a needle and thread - about as long as a tampon string
Up thru the garlic and down again
Tie ends together
Insert 12 hours
Repeat with another garlic for 12 hours

Voila!

note - you can prick (no pun intended) the garlic too but some people (well women people) find it too strong and burn-y

[chickwhorips]

Take a garlic clove
take a needle and thread - about as long as a tampon string
Up thru the garlic and down again
Tie ends together
Insert 12 hours
Repeat with another garlic for 12 hours

i have heard this too. never tried it but i hear it works great!

[caligurl]

i wash in cold water... in the washing machine.. with no dye... no perfume.... a "free" detergent... as per pearl izumi... do NOT use woolite.. it's actually very harsh for your delicate clothes and not good for lycra types (again.. this is per PI! i wrote them about my deteriorating leg warmers.. and when i mentioned woolite.. they said NO NO NO!)

i hang them to dry.... no dryer!

[Alliez]

Sadly this topic is all to close to my heart as well. From what I've read, washing machine water and dryer heat are not hot enough to reliably kill yeasties, and one should use a hot iron on the relevant portions of your underwear to assure that you are reinfecting yourself. I've not tried ironing the chamois on my bike shorts (yet) but I'm going to have to give it a try (unfortunately).

[Pedal Wench]

To help prevent whatever infections cause saddle sores, I've heard folks recommend drying them with the chamois exposed to direct sunlight. That will probably take care of all the nasties.

Maybe tuck as much lycra UNDER the chamois to prevent excess UV damage while it's drying outside.

Edit: In the winter, better come up with another solution. A frozen chamois doesn't sound too comfy!

[Eden]

Sadly this topic is all to close to my heart as well. From what I've read, washing machine water and dryer heat are not hot enough to reliably kill yeasties, and one should use a hot iron on the relevant portions of your underwear to assure that you are reinfecting yourself. I've not tried ironing the chamois on my bike shorts (yet) but I'm going to have to give it a try (unfortunately).

eek! I would hesitate to try that as spadex is quite meltable....

I have heard - note: I've never tried this on underwear or bike shorts so if you decided to try this test it out with something you can destroy!! - that you can kill yeast by putting your underwear in the microwave for a few seconds. Lycra might just melt if given this treatment though.

[newbiechick]

I could swear that I just recently read on this forum that cycling shorts should NOT be air dried. I couldn't figure out why ... thought maybe it's because of the stiffness that sometimes results from line drying. But maybe it's because the dryer heat gets rid of bacteria/yeast/whatever. No idea. Anyway, I switched from line drying to throwing them in the dryer. But now I think maybe I should switch back. So confusing.

My husband has been riding for years and throws all his cycling clothes in the washer and dryer with everything else. Now, of course, he doesn't have to worry about yeast infections and such ... but considering how long he's had some of his cycling clothes, they don't seem too much worse for the wear in spite of washing and drying. Actually I have recommended he replace one pair of his shorts ... but he's probably had that pair for years.

My nephew is on his college cycling teams ... and he is fanatically careful about caring for his clothes ... special soap, line dry (I think), etc. I've never seen a 21 year old be so diligent about anything!

newbiechick
aka Shelley

[mary9761]

I always understood yeast to be a vaginal environment imbalance.

Here is my MacGyver - style solution.
Someone told me on a mountain trail in 1984. I have tried it successfully several times and have recommended it to others who have also found it helpful. I have read it in a Women's Herbal too

Take a garlic clove
take a needle and thread - about as long as a tampon string
Up thru the garlic and down again
Tie ends together
Insert 12 hours
Repeat with another garlic for 12 hours

Voila!

note - you can prick (no pun intended) the garlic too but some people (well women people) find it too strong and burn-y

I don't know about the cure for yeast, but do NOT use garlic in the ear canal for ear infections. How do I know you may ask? I tried this for a sore ear and ended up having to see a doc to have it removed and sheepishly explain how the garlic got into my ear where I couldn't reach it..
Good luck
Mary

[Brina]

I don't know about the cure for yeast, but do NOT use garlic in the ear canal for ear infections. How do I know you may ask? I tried this for a sore ear and ended up having to see a doc to have it removed and sheepishly explain how the garlic got into my ear where I couldn't reach it..
Good luck
Mary

you can buy garlic oil at most homeopathic stores - it really does work wonders on ear infections.

I have heard - note: I've never tried this on underwear or bike shorts so if you decided to try this test it out with something you can destroy!! - that you can kill yeast by putting your underwear in the microwave for a few seconds. Lycra might just melt if given this treatment though.

My doctor recommended this as well.

[pooks]

I went commando for the first time today. I didn't really feel any difference but you'd better believe I put those sweaty things in the washing machine as soon as I got home!

[Nanci]

I've got the solution!! Garlic butter chamois cream!!