Tumble drying cycling gear

[Ming the Merciless]

Decent cycle kit should be virtually dry when it comes out the wash. Polyamide and polyester absorb very little water, especially the former.

 

[Alex321]

Swap you for a drying cupboard where your gear goes in with people's 'not washed enough' BO smelly kit. Don't mention the towels

Would that be sufficient to dry the kit by the end of the day if you wash it in the shower first?

We are moving office in March, and while the new office is better in some ways for cycling (indoor bike parking, bike maintenance station, 5 showers instead of 1), we aren't sure yet whether we'll be able to keep the tumble dryer.

 

[presta]

I don't tumble dry clothes at all. They shrink.

All I would add to what everyone else has said is that every time you put your clothes, any clothes, through the wash cycle, you're wearing them and I don't mean on-your-body wearing.

Clothes that don't go in the dryer last longer.

If anyone doubts this, have a look at all the ground fibres that come out of the machine:

 

[Webbo2]

I occasionally tumble dry cycling gear if it’s too wet to dry it outside or there’s stuff on the clothes horse. I usually don’t do my bib shorts or merino wool base layers although I some that say they are fine to do so. As for presta‘s post above about ground fibres there is virtually no fibres in the filter when I use ours.
I wonder if he’s putting his through the mincer by mistake.😉

 

[craigwend]

I occasionally tumble dry cycling gear if it’s too wet to dry it outside or there’s stuff on the clothes horse. I usually don’t do my bib shorts or merino wool base layers although I some that say they are fine to do so. As for presta‘s post above about ground fibres there is virtually no fibres in the filter when I use ours.
I wonder if he’s putting his through the mincer by mistake.😉

My merino base layers, beanie and neck warmer / snood things have all sneaked into the drier when Ive not been in charge and all been okay...
Thicker merino tends to shrink most in my experience, this without tumble drying, even at low temperatures...

 

[Webbo2]

My merino base layers, beanie and neck warmer / snood things have all sneaked into the drier when Ive not been in charge and all been okay...
Thicker merino tends to shrink most in my experience, this without tumble drying, even at low temperatures...

I’ve got a M&S base layer or jumper which is pretty thick and was advertised as being tumble drier friendly.

 

[craigwend]

I’ve got a M&S base layer or jumper which is pretty thick and was advertised as being tumble drier friendly.

Was it / is it?

 

[mustang1]

You work in a launderette?

Yeah, like the one in Breaking Bad.

 

[mustang1]

All the time in the past. No disasters.

The label means nothing more than the manufacturer has not gone to the time or expense of testing in that manner, so its an arse covering label. Ditto "dry clean only" labels.

But then if the manufacturer has tested it, and deemed the clothes unsuitable for tumble drying, then what should the label say apart from "don't tumble dry"?

 

[Webbo2]

Was it / is it?

I’ve only worn it once for an hour so I’ve never washed it. I’m now thinking if it’s cold enough to wear on my bike I won’t be riding.🤣🤣
However it might be good for a “ The lady love Milk Tray “ look.

 

[Drago]

All I would add to what everyone else has said is that every time you put your clothes, any clothes, through the wash cycle, you're wearing them and I don't mean on-your-body wearing.

Ans the artificial fibres thus released are a significant contributors to microplastic pollution.

 

[fossyant]

Would that be sufficient to dry the kit by the end of the day if you wash it in the shower first?

We are moving office in March, and while the new office is better in some ways for cycling (indoor bike parking, bike maintenance station, 5 showers instead of 1), we aren't sure yet whether we'll be able to keep the tumble dryer.

Unlikely to be dry if you've washed it, but why not wash when home, or do you 'wash' home and work - that's probably overkill - just every day for base layers/light summer stuff. Winter, the heavy top layers I'll wash every couple of days as there is no skin contact.

It will just get your gear dry if you've got a little damp from rain, but we have a colleague that turns it off at lunch. That's OK on dry days, but not wet ones, so I leave a post it note on the plug. It's probably why folks towels stink, they don't dry properly. I use baby wipes and a complete change of clothes.

The only issue is, constant use in a tumble tryer will increase wear on your kit.

 

[fossyant]

We only tumble dry if we either have a big wash load (i.e. on return from holiday) or we've forgotten. It's also expensive. Best option, and it's fast, is an airer and a dehumidifier. That said we run the kitchen dehumidifier all the time, so drying kit isn't an issue.

 

[cyberknight]

Swap you for a drying cupboard where your gear goes in with people's 'not washed enough' BO smelly kit. Don't mention the towels

I don't bother with a shower when I get to work as after an hour of grafting I promise you the ingrained smell of sweat and weld shop is worse than a bit of sweat from cycling

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I don't bother with a shower when I get to work as after an hour of grafting I promise you the ingrained smell of sweat and weld shop is worse than a bit of sweat from cycling

When I was into sailing I went to a place where we could hire a boat. and/or windsurfer sometimes
They also did courses that supplied all the clothing - mostly wet suits and the like
so after it had been used it had to be dried

The room where they dried them absolutely stank!!
It gave the impression that some people who were sailing in a rented wetsuit didn't see the point in coming back to shore and taking it off it they "need to visit facilities"!!!!