General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse Rss Feed  
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2008-10-05 5:24 PM

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Subject: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse
As to the tri suits/tops/shorts; do you wash them or just rinse them?


2008-10-05 6:21 PM
in reply to: #1719492

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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse
I wash them with normal laundry soap (Tide powder) on gentle in the washing machine and then I air dry them. I have TYR brand stuff, and it seems to hold up well. The TYR tri shorts I use for biking shorts also, so wash them at least 2x per week all year long. They last about a year. In contract, my TYR swim suit falls apart if I wash it in the machine. I have to hand wash that in the sink with mild soap. Weird.
2008-10-06 6:37 AM
in reply to: #1719492

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse

Please do everyone around you a favour and wash your clothes. Rinsing will not clean the garment and you will have a virtual cloud of stink hovering above you. 

I personally wouldn't buy an article of clothing that precluded me from tossing it in the wash regularly without worries. Having said that, I do try to maximize the life of the garments by washing my workout/race clothes together, always cold water, with a no-residue detergent designed for sport/technical fabrics (or if I'm out I'll use Tide free, or Ivory). Never use fabric softener because it reduces the effectiveness of the moisture wicking properties of the clothing. I usually throw everything in the dryer on a low setting, but never with a dryer sheet for the same reasons as never using fabric softener.  

Considering some of the most expensive clothing in my wardrobe are some of my sport gear, I do try to go easy on them.

 

2008-10-06 8:11 AM
in reply to: #1719492

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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse

I have a seprate hamper for all my technical gear/swim stuff. I was it all seperatly and use only the specialty detergents designed for lycra/dry technical clothing. I have been using "double clean" but I liked the other one in the blue bottle better. They are available at running specialty stores.  The main reason I gave up on using the traditional stuff is detergent w/ fabric softner is the worst thing you can do to your tech fabrics, it clogs the pores and stops it from breathing. So after my underarmor cold gear got mixed in with a load of regular wash it felt like I was wearing a plastic bag for a few washes, no breathability and really hot- Hence the 2nd hamper.  

Reason number 2 for the speciality detergents, go smell your favorite running shirt or shorts- no matter how many time you wash them they always have a funk about them. The specialty stuff lessens the funk or eliminates it. 

 So far after 3 years the tech fabrics have all held up no issues, no pilling. I wash on cld/gentle and tumble dry on fluff no heat then hang/lay flat if necessary. 

 Which reminds me, its laundry day- 

2008-10-06 8:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse

prieto539 - 2008-10-05 5:24 PM As to the tri suits/tops/shorts; do you wash them or just rinse them?

Definately wash; don't just rinse.  We use the Win detergent, which you can get off Amazon (four for $19).  It does a good job with the technical clothing, but it has a rather strong sickly-sweet fragrence that I don't like in my workout stuff.  Although, its better than washing them with regular laundry detergent. 

2008-10-06 9:08 AM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse
I wash with All (free and clear), it's what we use...cold water is best. Add about a capful of white vinegar for smelly stuff. I find it better than those sport wash detergents (they have a sweet smell to them that I think I am allergic to). Hang dry to reduce wear and tear. My zoot and pearl izumi tri shorts are over a year old and in great condition...wash both 2x week.

Swimsuits, I actually do just soak and then rinse in cold water. I find that it saves the life of the material and colors. I used to use that spinning thing at the pool and handwash in gentle soap, but my suits were not holding up for more than 6 months. I figure the chlorine kills all the bacteria, and the soaking/rinsing gets rid of the chlorine...


2008-10-06 9:21 AM
in reply to: #1720421

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Elite
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Armpit of Ontario
Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse

I've never used scented tech-fabric detergents; IMO kind of defeats the purpose of going out of your way to use a specialty product such as this, which is not supposed to have anything in it that would impede the properties of the fabric, such as softeners and scents.  

If you can't find unscented, try an outdoorsman or hunting goods shop like Cabelas, Bass Pro, etc - they have unscented detergents meant for hunting clothing that are guaranteed to remove any "funk" without leaving any scent (so you will be undetectable to your prey) but are still gentle for tech fabrics. 

I have found the BEST to be SPORT-WASH by Sno-Seal, 18 oz bottle, good for 18 large loads for about $5/bottle. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___10601  and usually available at my Walmart. 

 



Edited by sty 2008-10-06 9:23 AM
2008-10-06 10:40 AM
in reply to: #1719492

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Tejas
Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse
 Good advice on scent free detergents. I'll try them all. I tried WIN, but the scent is worse to me than the funk! I was cranking up a long hill, popped the sweat and the WIN took over, I nearly gagged it was so strong. I even reduced the amount next wash and no help. I put one of these inside that master bath garden tub we never use, to dry my stuff on.

Edited by mdg2003 2008-10-06 10:44 AM




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2008-10-09 9:11 PM
in reply to: #1719492

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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse
I just wash them all with my regular laundry but NEVER put them in the dryer.  I've heard that it stretches them out even more.  I figure the amount I wear them and as dirty as they can get I wash them after every wear.  No hand washing here!
2008-10-10 1:40 AM
in reply to: #1719492

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Tri suit/short/tops wash/rinse
I agree - wash them but air dry them.

Get at least two pair so you can work that - if you can get away with just rinsing you are not working out hard enough!!
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