How do you clean white cycling shorts?

[XMcShiftersonX]

I bought a pair of white Assos shorts a couple months ago and I love them. But, I was wondering if anyone has any good tips on cleaning dirt spots on them. It's not grease, just a few areas where typical dirt has collected and standard washing hasn't done the trick. I thought I read somewhere that someone used Windex on their white cycling clothes and that did the trick. I only have a natural window cleaner, and I don't know if it would work the same, or not. I would hate to ruin such an expensive and nice pair of shorts!

[roadie gal]

Does Assos have a "contact us" link on their website? You might be able to ask them what they suggest for their product.

[Trek420]

Maybe just enjoy as long as possible, and next time get black?

Or tie-dye them?

[XMcShiftersonX]

Or tie-dye them?

I can see it now... brown and white, the new hippie trend haha

[ny biker]

Have you tried pre-treating them and/or soaking them in your regular detergent?

[kmehrzad]

I'm very cautious when it comes to my laundry, careful not to wash things in hot water or dry them on high heat for fear of shrinkage. However, when it comes to spots on white clothing, that's where I pull out all the stops and go for the bleach. I dilute it a lot w/water then take a Q-tip and just dab the diluted bleach onto the spot(s).

I did it this weekend on my daughter's nice white sweater. She had spilled tea on it and there was no getting out the stain. We tried hand washing it in gentle detergent, we tried non-chlorinated bleach to no avail. After dabbing on the solution the spots began to turn pink, I thought "uh oh, we've got a problem here" but I dipped the sweather immediately in a tub of cold water and the pink mark PLUS the tea stain were gone. The sweater was like new again.

I've used diluted bleach on other stains in the past (on white clothing) and have been happy with the results.

[Trek420]

I can see it now... brown and white, the new hippie trend haha

I have a pair of Canari capris in white that I have not had the nerve to wear (afraid of the beached white whale on a bike look combined with see-through ) but I would NOT use brown and white. OTOH they'd be ready if I get cut off, sideswiped, have to swerve to avoid being door'ed ...

I was thinking more like this which would be real fun:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=39494

[jessmarimba]

Try just club soda, maybe? If it's just dirt stains and not something more difficult like grease.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Thanks everyone! Those psychodelic shorts are something else! haha...

Well, ideally I would like my shorts to be pristine white, but I also understood when buying them they were bound to get dirty at some point (they are just so pretty!). Luckily Assos thinks of almost everything, and they did make the back panel black, so at least it doesn't look like I crapped my spandex!

I think I will start by contacting Assos and see what they say (good recommendation!). And if that doesn't work, I'll start with the less abrasive club soda and work towards bleach. That does scare me with this fabric. I suppose I could try it first in a fairly hidden spot to see what happens.

[TxDoc]

Assos makes a detergent which is specific for cycling apparel. It' s a blue colored liquid detergent, cannot remember what it's called now, usually a small bottle always comes in the box with the bibs - not sure about the shorts. That is what i use to wash all my bibs/jerseys/skinsuits etc.
Try to go to the shop where you got the shorts - chances are that if they carry Assos apparel they will also sell their detergent.

[TxDoc]

Active wear cleanser - that's how it's called. Blue liquid detergent.
Good luck!

[XMcShiftersonX]

Active wear cleanser - that's how it's called. Blue liquid detergent.
Good luck!

I use that already, it hasn't helped on these stains though.

[moonfroggy]

on regular clothes for some stains hanging up the clothes in the sun can help. if what is causing the stain is not lightfast. sunlight will eventually damage the fibers but just hanging in the sun for a day should be ok.

[SpeedyChix]

I've used oxiclean on my mtb team kit that has white panels on both the jersey and shorts. I just put some of it in the sink and soak the clothing. Then work on it by hand (rubbing the fabric on itself) and rinse it out before putting it in the laundry with the rest. Has taken out loads of mud and racing gunk. Clothing is holding up fine.

[XMcShiftersonX]

I've used oxiclean on my mtb team kit that has white panels on both the jersey and shorts. I just put some of it in the sink and soak the clothing. Then work on it by hand (rubbing the fabric on itself) and rinse it out before putting it in the laundry with the rest. Has taken out loads of mud and racing gunk. Clothing is holding up fine.

Awesome! thanks! I'll give it a try