Which washing powder/liquid do you use for your cycling kit??

[Cyclist33]

Just a silly thing but what do you guys use? I don`t have much luck on this front and have never really found one that does the job particularly well with my cycling stuff. Or maybe I`m not getting the washing part right

I`d like to solve this mystery so any answers are much appreciated

With washing powder or liquid, whatever I bought that particular month. What a daft question! Cycling kit isn't made of mithril. It's just clothing at the end of the day.

 

[GlasgowFinn]

With washing powder or liquid, whatever I bought that particular month. What a daft question! Cycling kit isn't made of mithril. It's just clothing at the end of the day.

*Googles mithril*

 

[youngoldbloke]

With washing powder or liquid, whatever I bought that particular month. What a daft question! Cycling kit isn't made of mithril. It's just clothing at the end of the day.

I read and follow the washing care instructions, and set the temperature to the lowest listed - usually 30'. A lot of kit tells you not to use Bio, so I don't. Merino shrinks if washed too hot or tumble dried. To dry, I hang out almost everything too.

 

[Cyclist33]

exactly, so follow the washing instructions and don't fret over what brand of powder it is!

 

[youngoldbloke]

exactly, so follow the washing instructions and don't fret over what brand of powder it is!

OK - but the OP did ask us what we use, and IMO it is important to use NON BIO - brand probably not important. However, as I do the washing - or at least feed the machine - and buy the detergent, I buy it with washing cycling kit in mind, so that is why I buy the brand I buy - it is not a random purchase.

 

[Cyclist33]

OK - but the OP did ask us what we use, and IMO it is important to use NON BIO - brand probably not important. However, as I do the washing - or at least feed the machine - and buy the detergent, I buy it with washing cycling kit in mind, so that is why I buy the brand I buy - it is not a random purchase.

You wouldn't tell any difference if you used a different one - it's all marketing.

 

[numbnuts]

Bold

 

[VamP]

Serious question - why non-bio and why no conditioner?

I use regular and conditioner at 30 degrees and haven't noticed any issues. Am I being blind? What risks am I running?

 

[hopless500]

With washing powder or liquid, whatever I bought that particular month. What a daft question! Cycling kit isn't made of mithril. It's just clothing at the end of the day.

mithril,,,,,,,

 

[speccy1]

With washing powder or liquid, whatever I bought that particular month. What a daft question! Cycling kit isn't made of mithril. It's just clothing at the end of the day.

I asked a simple question, why is it daft??

 

[Cyclist33]

How long is a piece of string?

 

[vickster]

Serious question - why non-bio and why no conditioner?

I use regular and conditioner at 30 degrees and haven't noticed any issues. Am I being blind? What risks am I running?

Fabric softener damages technical fabrics and lycra, if you replace often (or buy very cheap) then I guess it's not an issue. Non bio is just gentler on fabric and skin (and perhaps the environment). I always thought the bio fabrics contained more bleach which isn't the best for black/coloured kit. Could be talking rubbish though, makes my skin itch so only non bio for me

 

[cubegame]

Main reason not to use fabric softener is that it's prime function is to aid the way fibres in COTTON garments move over themselves. It does this by lubricating the fibres. The problem is that they have to stick loads of this in to get it to adhere to cotton.

The high concentration means loads sticks to polyester and nylon (common cycle wear textiles) meaning that slippage of the fibres becomes a problem. In simple terms your kit will end up just slipping apart at the seams!

Most fabric softeners also cause the fabric to become less water absorbant. Again, not what you want.

 

[VamP]

Really? What sort of time frame does this take? Because I have two year old bibs washed nearly daily, still going strong. Would non bio and no detergent make them last much longer than that?

 

[coffeejo]

I use Ecover. It's one of the few brands that doesn't make me feel like I've done the laundry with itching powder.