Q: My cycling jerseys
look great when they are new. But after a few machine
washings small, furry balls start to form on the outside of
my jersey. What causes this and what can I do to prevent it?
A: The forming of small, furry balls on your jersey is
called fabric pilling. It is caused by threads pulling away
from the body of your jersey. It is common to loosely knit
fabrics such as sweaters or cycling jerseys. The easiest way
to prevent pilling is to gently hand wash your cycling jersey
and drip dry. This eliminates the agitation and fabric
abrasion that occurs when machine washing and drying.
Q: What is the best way
to clean my wool cycle clothing?
A: Most wool jerseys can be machine washed. However we
do not recommend machine washing for any knitted cycle
clothing. Gently hand wash in luke warm water using only a
small amount of detergent. Carefully rinse in luke warm
water. Cold or hot water can cause severe fabric stressing
and shrinkage. Never wring excess water out. Let the jersey
drip dry or place between two towels and roll into a
cylinder. Gently press the rolled up towels, never twist, and
then unroll. Hang your jersey indoors, away from direct
sunlight, and let drip dry at normal room temperature.
Q: Should I hand wash
all of my cycle clothing?
A: Yes. Use luke warm water and add a small amount of
low sudsing detergent. Then turn the garment inside out and
let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. You may lightly rub any
soiled spots or gently swish the water. However never use a
brush or scrub the fabrics as this will cause pilling and
undue wear. Carefully rinse in luke warm water. At this point
you may wish to add a small amount of fabric softener. Never
wring excess water out. Let the garment drip dry or place
between two towels and roll into a cylinder. Gently press the
rolled up towels, never twist, and then unroll. Hang your
cycle clothing indoors, away from direct sunlight, and let
drip dry at normal room temperature.
Q: My cycling gloves
have leather palms. They seem to get slimy after 10 to 15
rides. What can I do?
A: Hand wash your leather or synthetic palmed cycling
gloves the same way we suggest washing your jerseys and
shorts. One washing every 10 to 15 rides should keep them
fresh and clean. Dry by turning inside out and hanging
indoors away from any direct heat. When dry, carefully check
for broken stitches and repair as needed.
Q: When new, the colors
in my jerseys were bright. After only 10 or so washings they
are dull and the whites are turning gray. What happened?
A: If you use bleach or strong detergents colors will
fade quickly. Machine washing often hastens the process.
Hard, or alkaline water can dull whites and colors. Mixing
cycle clothing in with other dirty clothes can also dull
colors.
Q: Should I use bleach
to brighten whites?
A: No. The best way to brighten whites in delicate
fabrics is to hang them in bright sunlight when drying. The
sun's ultraviolet rays will naturally brighten whites without
harming colors. If you must use bleach, choose a colorfast
type and use a small amount.
Q: What can I do about
hard or alkaline water?
A: Get your water tested first. Then add a water
softener before washing.
Q: Why do you not
recommend washing my cycle clothing with the rest of my
clothes?
A: Cycle clothing rarely gets dirty like work
clothing. Hand washing is more than sufficient to remove
perspiration, body oils and light dirt. Mixing delicate
cycling fabrics with heavier and more soiled garments like
blue jeans can damage and dull your bike clothing.
Q :Sometimes my jerseys
or shorts itch after I start to perspire. Why is this?
A: Strong detergents are more difficult to rinse
completely out of your clothing. This is particularly true
with the extra layers of fabric and padding that make up a
short's chamois. If any soap remains in your clothing it will
be activated by perspiration. Commonly the garment will feel
scratchy or irritating. Sometimes a rash can develop and lead
to saddle sores or more serious problems. Hand washing with a
low sudsing detergent and thoroughly rinsing in luke warm
water usually eliminates any soap related discomfort. Using
chamois cream before riding can also greatly reduce saddle
soreness problems.
Q: How often should I
wash my cycle clothing?
A: We recommend washing your clothing after every
ride. In a pinch you may wear a jersey twice but you should
never do that with shorts. A chamois is an ideal place for
bacteria to thrive. Washing with any detergent will kill
bacteria. Using an anti-bacterial chamois cream also prevents
their growth and will keep you more comfortable.
Q: What is chamois
cream?
A: Chamois cream is a product that helps eliminate
saddle soreness and increase cycling comfort. It is lightly
applied to the chamois before riding and should be washed out
afterwards. The better chamois creams contain anti-bacterial
and anti-fungal agents to keep you clean and healthy.
Q: How does chamois
cream make riding more comfortable?
A: The purpose of a short's chamois is to grip, and
stay in contact with, your skin. When your skin and the
chamois move as one, painful chafing and heat buildup is
eliminated. Chamois cream helps create a better bond between
your bare skin and the short's chamois. It also kills
bacteria and fungus that can lead to saddle soreness,
blisters and infections.
Q: Can I use Vaseline
or hand lotion instead of chamois cream?
A: Vaseline is a lubricant and will cause you to slide
around in your shorts. Remember, you want to form a snug bond
between your skin and the chamois, to eliminate chafing and
increase comfort. Hand lotions will help form a bond, but
they can foster bacterial growth and are often difficult to
wash out of a chamois.
Q: In your online
catalog you often make reference to Cafe Suds clothing
detergent and Cafe chamois cream. Are they really that good
to be worth mentioning so often?
A: Yes. We have sold and used both products for over
ten years. They are specifically designed for cycling and
work exceptionally well. Both come with a 100% Satisfaction
Guarantee or your purchase price is refunded. In ten years we
have not had one person request a refund! Riders often call
us and tell us how pleased they are with Cafe Chamois Cream
and Cafe Suds. We highly recommend that you use both.
Q: What is the best way
to store my cycle clothing?
A: Make sure it is clean and dry before putting it
away. Clothing that will be worn again within a few months
can be neatly folded and tucked in a drawer. Wool clothing
should be stored in cedar lined drawers. If you are putting
away your seasonal clothing, wrap it in plastic first. Toss a
few moth balls or moth flakes in with wool clothing because
moths can go through plastic. If you have room, it is best to
put jerseys, shorts and tights on cedar hangers and store in
a closet. Cover seasonal clothing with a dry cleaners bag.
Cycle clothing is delicate and often expensive. Treat it well
and it will last you for years.
Q: What if my clothing
needs repairing?
A: The old adage, "A stitch in time saves
nine", was never more true than with cycle clothing.
Shorts in particular, are under constant stress when you are
riding. It is essential that broken stitches be fixed
immediately or more will soon follow.
