We're a dirty bunch [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

Oakie

27th December 2016, 16:28

Took the opportunity with few days off work to give my bike jacket it's annual wash. For shits and giggles I captured the wash water as it exited the washing machine. The photo is what a year of road dirt and exhaust fumes looks like on a 'ride to work every day' biker.
I guess we really are a dirty bunch...

caspernz

27th December 2016, 16:49

That clean jacket will be a touch lighter to wear now I bet...

Yes I must admit I'm often surprised at how much crap comes off a set of bike gear, even when I've spent days on end in the rain...I mean that's like a natural wash'n'rinse cycle isn't it??

jafagsx250

27th December 2016, 17:24

Did you do a gentle wash or normal? I should probably wash mine for the first time in years. Might hand wash and see where that gets me.

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Oakie

27th December 2016, 18:19

Did you do a gentle wash or normal? I should probably wash mine for the first time in years. Might hand wash and see where that gets me.

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I used to hand wash as we had a top loader machine until a few months ago when we bought a front loader (Front loaders are better cleaners and more gentle ... no agitator). The wash cycle on the Samsung front loader was 'Outdoor Care' which is designed for mountain clothes, ski wear and sports wear.

Important to use the right detergent for the product. I use NikWax TechWash (for waterproof textiles). http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/nikwax-tech-wash.html I get mine from a local bike spares shop but you can pick it up from outdoors shops too like Kathmandu.

jafagsx250

27th December 2016, 18:22

I used to hand wash as we had a top loader machine until a few months ago when we bought a front loader (Front loaders are better cleaners and more gentle ... no agitator). The wash cycle on the Samsung front loader was 'Outdoor Care' which is designed for mountain clothes, ski wear and sports wear.

Important to use the right detergent for the product. I use NikWax TechWash (for waterproof textiles). http://www.kathmandu.co.nz/nikwax-tech-wash.html I get mine from a local bike spares shop but you can pick it up from outdoors shops too like Kathmandu.
Thanks. We have an old as top loader where I'm living so hand washing it is. I'll get the detergent too. I was originally going to use ordinary washing powder.

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Oakie

27th December 2016, 19:35

Thanks. We have an old as top loader where I'm living so hand washing it is. I'll get the detergent too. I was originally going to use ordinary washing powder.

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If your jacket has it, don't forget to take your liner and any armour out befiore washing.

jafagsx250

27th December 2016, 19:36

That's a good point. I was just going to chuck it all in the sink and wash it

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Moi

27th December 2016, 20:11

That's a good point. I was just going to chuck it all in the sink and wash it

If you can use a bath even better - warm water and leave the jacket to soak for a while then rinse...

and you might need to clean the bath after as well.

Moi

27th December 2016, 20:14

jafagsx250

27th December 2016, 20:19

If you can use a bath even better - warm water and leave the jacket to soak for a while then rinse...

and you might need to clean the bath after as well.
I have a bath. I never use it so it'll be the first time it's been cleaned thoroughly in a long time

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Oakie

27th December 2016, 21:20

If you can use a bath even better - warm water and leave the jacket to soak for a while then rinse... l. Good idea! ... but yes, a severe cleaning of the bath would probably be required later

Just think about what the nasal hairs catch... :eek::sick: Yeah, been trying not to think how much of that has made it's way to my lungs.

Moi

27th December 2016, 22:18

I have a bath. I never use it so it'll be the first time it's been cleaned thoroughly in a long time.

Last time I did my jacket I gently pummeled the jacket in the water first and then left it to soak for a while then a bit more of a pummel and shake about in the water... pulled the plug and let the tar coloured water go down the drain, used the hand shower thing to rinse the jacket and then repeated the process. Took a full day to dry properly, especially the permanent lining...

Yeah, been trying not to think how much of that has made it's way to my lungs.

Good bushy nasal hairs solve that problem...

http://manscaping.com/Nose-Hair/files/bear_nose_hair.jpg

jasonu

28th December 2016, 03:45

A laundry thread...Is this the future of KB???:weep:

Moi

28th December 2016, 07:37

A laundry thread...Is this the future of KB???:weep:

Actually, a thread for old men discussing over exuberant nasal hair - of course, all in code...

wanna join?

rastuscat

28th December 2016, 07:59

I wear my bike gear for work, so it's maybe 35 hours a week.

What stops me washing it more often is the pain in the arse getting the knee armour in and out.

Great gear, but a pita to wash.

nzspokes

28th December 2016, 08:41

I wear my bike gear for work, so it's maybe 35 hours a week.

What stops me washing it more often is the pain in the arse getting the knee armour in and out.

Great gear, but a pita to wash.
Is that why learner's back way off when you do demonstration leads? Phewww

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Daffyd

29th December 2016, 23:57

R650R

30th December 2016, 07:35

Did my shoei helmet liner foams about a month ago, 3 year old helmet now feels like new helmet and yuck at the water too....

As for textile pants and knee armour, its only really the arse and crouch area that prob needs good washing, rinse will do rest which should be no worse than it getting bit wet in heavy rain anyway....
My old set is prob due, I use it when bike goes to work and sports training so gets dose of sweat..... TMI lol....

The new gear gets light hose zipped up on close line to take most of bugs off outside....

rastuscat

30th December 2016, 14:09

Did my shoei helmet liner foams about a month ago, 3 year old helmet now feels like new helmet and yuck at the water too....

Amen cuz. I washed the liners in my work and private helmets a couple of weeks back, damn, they are so much nicer to wear now.

The new gear gets light hose zipped up on close line to take most of bugs off outside....

Close line? You mean clothes line?

Oakie

30th December 2016, 15:10

We had a shit of a job getting the armour out. She commented that next time we should leave the armour in. I said no, we can't do that and she asked why. I couldn't tell her for sure...
So, why do you have to to? It's an Alpinestar.

Dunno. I checked a couple of gear websites and they both say to remove the armour but didn't say why. I'd imagine it's something to do with possible degradation of the armour because of the detergent?

http://www.motogearadvisor.com/wash-riding-jacket/

https://www.revitsport.com/en/revit-en/academy/wash-and-care/

R650R

30th December 2016, 15:29

BTW I wear merino base layer under textiles even in summer. It breathes better and its easier to wash that than your gear.

Big Dog

30th December 2016, 19:36

My lovely wife washed my riding jacket the other day, (first wash). We had a shit of a job getting the armour out. She commented that next time we should leave the armour in. I said no, we can't do that and she asked why. I couldn't tell her for sure...
So, why do you have to to? It's an Alpinestar.
Washing with armour in puts a lot of stress on the wee pockets that are not usually double stitched.
Plus if you have armour containing foam or eva they take forever to dry and come out the other end looking manky and misshapen because it soaks up a lot of your now dissolved grot and re shapes in warm water.
Source: selling replacement gear to people who tried to save a little time.

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Daffyd

30th December 2016, 20:36

Makes sense. It's odd that we're alway told to remove it but never why...

willytheekid

31st December 2016, 08:19

were meant to WASH our gear? :blink:

...thought riding in wet weather took care of that :facepalm:

No wonder my old jacket & pants look & smell so...:crazy::sick:...yeah!

Meh...think it might be safer if I just buy some new gear :D

rastuscat

31st December 2016, 08:46

BTW I wear merino base layer under textiles even in summer. It breathes better and its easier to wash that than your gear.

That always used to be my strategy too. But it's only practical when you are constantly on the move.

In my job I spend at least half of my day standing delivering lessons/advice etc. The airflow gear is the coldest I have and even that is warm on a 33 degree Christchurch day.

It's hard to see me wearing merino underneath.

The key is to keep moving. As much as you can. It reduces sweat.

rastuscat

31st December 2016, 08:46

Oakie

31st December 2016, 08:50

The benefit of washing is actually practical, not just cosmetic. When our 'waterproof' textiles are dirty the dirt gets right into the fabric and acts as a pathway for moisture to get in when it's raining. The less grime that is stuck in the weave, the dryer we stay. A re-application of waterproof spray of some sort wouldn't hurt when the jacket is all clean either.

oldiebutagoody

1st January 2017, 09:14

Well the "Laundry Thread" got me looking at my gear. Phew........

synth gear, helmet liners, all cleaned up and smelling sweetly of some exotic tropical bloom........as opposed to chain grease, sweat and general road kak.

After 2 years it was due.

Many thanks to the OP for bringing this to the front of my mind while I had the time to do it.

Old Steve

3rd January 2017, 14:56

I squirt a spray or two of Fabreeze onto my helmet liner after washing it, then ride on surrounded by a cloud of vanilla essence :-)

Moise

4th January 2017, 07:30

BTW I wear merino base layer under textiles even in summer. It breathes better and its easier to wash that than your gear.
I find merino is just too warm in summer and can get damp when you're not moving. I bought a cheap active wear base layer, which seems to wick moisture better than merino. It's made of something called Cool Dry fabric.

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