Washing shorts with conditioner

djcozzer

Just wondered if anyone else has had this experience. I bought a pair of Altura Team bib shorts. Felt great, went out on a big ride, pleased with the comfort. My Mrs stuck them in the washing machine and when they came out, the pad had diminished in thickness. The only thing I can think of is that she used a conditioner in the wash. I notice on their web site Altura say only wash with water and non bio detergent. They are now not comfy at all.

simona75

I've got Altura Pro-gels and I've washed them with conditioner over the past year and the pad has definitely deteriorated but I dont know how much is down to that and how much its caused by wear. Going to take much better care with the Assos Unos I've just ordered (I read somewhere they come with a special washing bag - not sure though)

Scrumple

The bag is just a bog standard net mesh thing.
It reduces the friction on the material as the drum spins. I always put delicates in mesh bags... tesco sell a pack of them for nowt.

Conditioner wont ruin the pad, it will just reduce its ability to wick moisture by gumming up the material. You are more likely to be washing too hot, or maybe using too aggressive bio powder that is rotting the elastic fibres.

Just wash with pure soap (that foams, so you need a liquid like wool/delicates wash etc.) and don't use conditioner.
Wash 30 or under, and use a slow (or no) spin cycle to avoid stressing the stretch fabric.

should help.

Paul E

I use stuff called halo, it's a liquid and it's a proper sports kit wash so it kills the nasties that cause pongs and stops them hanging about, it works.

northpole

I have noticed a couple of people who have suffered from Assos lycra becoming semi transparent above the padding at the rear - not a pretty sight!! I had assumed that conditioner had been used in their wash - I never use it and have experienced no problems of this nature
Peter

rpd_steve

Ive always just washed mine out in the sink by hand using some shower gel...

TheEnglishman

the labels on lycra say don't use conditioner, don't they?

Paul E

Since I started using halo, they have stayed fresh longer when wearing them and seem to wick better, I wouldn't use conditioner and normal detergent again.

on-yer-bike

northpole wrote:

I have noticed a couple of people who have suffered from Assos lycra becoming semi transparent above the padding at the rear - not a pretty sight!! I had assumed that conditioner had been used in their wash - I never use it and have experienced no problems of this nature
Peter

They also go grey. Will never buy Assos shorts again. (I dont use conditioner or bio and use a 15 minute program)

mrushton

Lycra is a strange material. Use pure soap or the Assos branded stuff or Halo (soap is best imo). Avoid too hot a wash (I use a 30 deg handwash). No bio wash (it 'eats' the lycra) or conditioner (seals the fabric)