Dirty Riding Gear

[luksi]

I've been wearing JR Phoenix jacket and pants.  Mesh is great in the summer and with something underneath it's ok in winter.  Didn't feel dirty until last weekend during 240 mile ride in 90+degree heat.  

After 18 months without cleaning (and 4 day/wk wear)....I decided to wash my gear.

Bathtub 1/4 full with laundry soap and started handwashing.   EEEEEEWWWWWW....guess I just didn't think about all the road dirt and grime that collects on me while riding.  The tub was immediately filled with soapy, muddy, greasy stuff.  Pretty gross.  Unfortunately my wife had just cleaned the tub.  

Think I'll ignore the cleaning instructions on my jacket and will try using the washing machine next time....

[RVertigo]

Think I'll ignore the cleaning instructions on my jacket and will try using the washing machine next time....

I've ignored the instructions on a jacket before...

I had to buy a new one after...  Just a word of warning.

[davipu]

what brand was it?

[RVertigo]

waverave...    It was a snowboarding jacket...

The entire liner was SCREWED...   :x

All I forgot was the "Gentle Cycle" part...  :dunno:

[davipu]

never heard of it. expensive?

[Roadstergal]

I use Nikwax for my waterproof gear, and Meguiar's leather cleaner for my leather.  You need to use high-quality leather cleaner and conditioner for things like car seats where the feel is important (Spinneyback or Connolly), but for my leathers, I don't care if they get plasticky.

[jiggersplat]

i think if a jacket can't handle the washing machine, it's not going to save your ass sliding down the road.

[RVertigo]

never heard of it. expensive?

I got it on sale...  So... Not really.

[davipu]

why not buy a decent columbia one then? or a white serria?  something that is known to last.

[RVertigo]

i think if a jacket can't handle the washing machine, it's not going to save your ass sliding down the road.

Probably not, but some materials can be adversely affected by certain things...

I had boots with kevlar on the heel and toe...  It was indestructible when it came to impacts...  But, where it bent over and over eventually broke apart.

That's all I was getting at...  If the manufacturer says to do it a certain way, there's probably a reason.

But...  It's your stuff.   :dunno:

[RVertigo]

why not buy a decent columbia one then? or a white serria?  something that is known to last.

I bet a columbia wouldn't stand up to washing on the normal cycle...  It's the stupid liner.

I have one now...  I just don't wash it.  

[davipu]

I've had the same white serria one since I was a freshman in high school, I don't like to wear it anymore as it isn't water proof. but the liner has held up.

[Roadstergal]

i think if a jacket can't handle the washing machine, it's not going to save your ass sliding down the road.

I'm not putting my leathers in the washing machine.

[Larry]

Front loading washing machines are much more gentle than top loaders.  Outdoor gear manufactures of sleeping bags, etc. often recomend a front loader, cold water and mild laundry soap (not typical laundry detergent).

[Chris.t.Collins]

My columbia is now 7 years old and I wash it twice a year