Washing gear

[mscalepic]

I wash all our riding clothes in warm water on gentle cycle with liquid tide and downey and then dry it after every use. I wash all gloves, pads, headbands, camelback, etc. as needed the same way but don't put them in the dryer, just air dry. Craig usually brings a change of clothes and shoes to change into immediately after riding to prevent rashes from poison ivy and/or bacteria.

[Permagrin]

Originally Posted by bighit8

I got this idea from the protection thread.How come when I wash my clothes,gear ect it is ok. But when my mom or a girl wash it for me ( if im lucky) it always smells so much better and is way softer?

Because that's how girls are .

[OldDogDan]

Wow...amazingly detailed responses. I'll just add RTFM. All your bike clothes will have a "care" tag inside them. The other gear usually has cleaning instructions on the tags when you buy it. If you missed 'em, there are many suggestions above (but I question the helmet in dishwasher idea...the heat and alkaline detergent may be harmful), or check mfr's website.

[mfoga]

For gloves I just put them on and use a little laundry soap and wash them just like washing you hands them let them air dry. It worked great on my paintball gloves for years. For pads and helmets unless the pads are soft and can be washed I recommend febreze worked wonders on the hockey equipment.

[Mk3]

wash em? that's why I got married!

[hoovermd]

Hot Water and Seventh Generation He.
When the stuff wears out from the washing you should replace 'em.

BTW, I've got some 20 year old stuff that still holds up

[richie_rich]

Regular wash, regular dry, regular detergent...so far no adverse affects (it's been years)

[ubermensch]

Don't get undressed after a ride and just step in the shower and turn on the water. Two birds with one stone!

Actually I hand wash my jerseys and bibs with woolite, roll them in a dry towel (I have 3 big towels dedicated to this), then hang dry. As much as I pay for these things, I want to get the most milage out of them.

Gloves get washed whenever it rains. The funky smell in between washings just means it has mojo.

[Thrawn]

Originally Posted by ubermensch

Don't get undressed after a ride and just step in the shower and turn on the water. Two birds with one stone!

Yeah, I actually wash mine while showering with a little woolite, rinse, wring, then hang dry...

Yes foo, IPA is the way to go...

[Elisheva]

Originally Posted by mp3

The helmet gets thrown in the dishwasher

Someone recently told me about this trick. Tried it and it worked like a charm. Helmet was spotless.

Put helmet on top rack of dishwasher and turn on full wash cycle with heat. The heat sterilizes and kills the bacteria.

oh yeah, don't forget the dishwashing detergent!

[bobzrag]

i play hockey, and i've had equipment for years now that has never been washed

it's not so bad - gives you an advantage!

[tehelmo]

Originally Posted by OldDogDan

Wow...amazingly detailed responses. I'll just add RTFM. All your bike clothes will have a "care" tag inside them. The other gear usually has cleaning instructions on the tags when you buy it. If you missed 'em, there are many suggestions above (but I question the helmet in dishwasher idea...the heat and alkaline detergent may be harmful), or check mfr's website.

[gregOREO]

Originally Posted by Jman

I'm with Big, I hadly ever wash gloves or helmet parts. They work better dirty....right????

Right... the more dirt you have the faster you are just like cars with stickers more is better....

Originally Posted by Mk3

wash em? that's why I got married!

dosen't always work with me and im married