1. Now that we're hitting the end of the cold-weather riding season, it's a great time to give all that cold weather gear a good washing since you probably won't need it while it's drying. I'm usually pretty good about keeping layers that directly contact my skin clean but I am bad bad bad about periodically washing outer layers throughout the season. That stuff gets stinky too! Here's some helpful info for expediting your washing experience.
2. If machine washing, use the gentle cycle. Make sure all velcro, zippers, snaps and other closures are secured so your garments don't damage each other by snagging.
3. DO hand wash your expensive cycling jacket, even if it says "machine wash." The gentle cycle was not gentle enough for my Burley rain jacket last year. A bucket in the bathtub, a little laundry detergent, some lukewarm water and some hand agitation were much kinder. It was about as easy and fast as tossing it in the machine.
4. DO set a fan up to blow at your hang-drying garments: The main reasons your spandex and wool garments hate the dryer are the heat and agitation. Spandex will melt and wool will shrink/felt. I hang all my stuff on the shower curtain rod over the tub and set up a big box fan on high to blow the moisture off. It SIGNIFICANTLY reduces hang-drying time. I think it's cut the time in half. Very helpful if you need to wear any of that stuff the next morning or even later that day. Also, spandex should be able to handle agitation. So if you've got a fluff/air setting on your dryer, that should work too. But mine only lasts about 20 minutes so it's effectively useless.
5. Spring is also a great time for tune-ups, tire changes, cleanings and general maintanance of your steed itself. Just remember if you bring your ride to a bike shop, expect a significant turn-around time because everybody else will be bringing in their bikes for spring tune-ups too.
and if your bike is dirty,
and if your bike is dirty, give it a bath! extends life of parts, keeps your house clean, and just looks better.
Anything that falls apart in
Anything that falls apart in the washer should be returned to REI for a no-questions-asked refund. ;-)
We use a Bosch front load washer and dryer. Maybe it's worth the cost to be able to put everything from base to wool in there on the active wear cycle. Supposed to be a water-miser, too.
Anything that falls apart in
Anything that falls apart in the washer should be returned to REI for a no-questions-asked refund. ;-)
Oh. You're one of those customers.
Bosch? Jeeze, you didn't spare any expense. Can I come to your house to do laundry? I'll play you some music or something. And how does your activewear dryer cycle work? Is it just a long-time fluff/air sort of thing without rotating the drum?
Not really
It amazes me what finds its way back to REI's Scratch And Dent Sale! Worn out is worn out, people.
Agree on the appliance cost issue. As an interior designer Linda knew a dealer with a generous discount. You may come over any time to play music and try them out. Unlike the washer the dryer's drum is not visible while operating. I think it tumbles. Stuff comes out warm so there's heat involved too.