How to Wash Bike Shorts with a Chamois

Bike shorts are a life-saving garment that keeps your tush comfy while putting the miles on the bicycle. The bike short contains a chamois (pronounced SHA'mee with a short "a" sound) that is basically a cushion between your bottom and the bike seat. Bike shorts are not meant to be worn with underwear and the chamois is designed to absorb sweat and any other fluids that may find their way into the bike short (within reason).

It is usually recommended to wash bike shorts by hand, but I am going to share my method with you. My shorts have lasted over three seasons and are still going strong.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bike shorts with a chamois
• Washing machine
• Washing detergent

1. Turn the bike shorts inside-out.

2. Place some laundry detergent in the washing machine and turn it on using cold or warm water. Do NOT use fabric softener.

3. Place the bike shorts in the washing machine with other clothes.

4. Let the washing machine run through the cycle. I use the normal cycle on my machine.

5. Remove the bike shorts and hang them to dry, keeping them inside-out.

Tips & Warnings

• NEVER use fabric softener with bike shorts or any other breathable fabrics. Fabric softener clogs the fabric pores, which diminishes the garment's wicking capabilities.
• NEVER use hot water or place the garment in the dryer. Wicking-fabrics are essentially made of plastic and hot temperatures can cause the micro-fibers to melt, negating the fabric's wicking capabilities.
• NEVER wear bike shorts without washing them between uses. Wearing dirty bike shorts can increase one's chance of urinary tract or other infection.

Resources

• How to Change a Rear Bicycle Tire