james-maclaren Posted October 23, 2011 Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Hi Just thought I would try and get some tips on clothes washing . Seems to me that cyclocross events are particularly muddy this year and I am having problems getting my washing clean! Whoever chose the club colours must have had a good washing machine! Ok, so a pre-soak is required. For this I use a large spoonfull of borax and soak the clothes for 24 hours before putting them into the washing machine at setting "D" that is a 40 degree wash for cottons/polycottons. Then I press the heavy soil button and switch on. Does anyone have a better suggestion? In desperation, James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted October 23, 2011 Members Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 I use Vanish pre-wash soap bars on my kit. You chuck your gear in the sink, get it damp and rub the soap on directly. I find that most stubborn stains are gone after a couple of minutes' attention with the soap bar. You just wash the clothes on a normal cycle afterwards. It definitely works on the sort of marks you get around pockets and cuffs; and on the tell-tale spray down the back of your jersey when you've been riding without mudguards. Whether it'll shift cyclocross-generated all-over muddiness, I'm no' sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james-maclaren Posted October 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 Thanks Richard. I will try to get some of those. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Richard Posted October 23, 2011 Members Report Share Posted October 23, 2011 It can be quite hard to find. Ebay to the rescue: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VANISH-STAIN-REMOVER-PR-WASH-SOAP-BAR-75g-/300602653867?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item45fd507cab#ht_743wt_907 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark O Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Leave in damp sweaty smelly heap at foot of bed or if one is available a sports bag for long enough, 4 days usually does it, to mature to the point that even the dog shys away. At this point continue to ignore building pressure and wait until offending bundle magically levitates its way to washing machine. These stages may involve adopting a sheepish look, numerous ear bashings and dodging of kitchen implements. Check on 5th morning that congealed mass has in fact removed itself from scene. Go about normal daily activities, smug grin optional. Visit cycling kit drawer on Sunday morning to find kit in pristine condition, clean, folded and smelling fresh. Await alarm to go off to wake you out of your dream state!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham Posted October 24, 2011 Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Another solution would be to give it a hose down when you are giving the bike a post race bit of TLC. This gets a lot of the ingrained mud of and doesn't clog up the washing machine and gains some brownie points, sometimes results in visiting cycling kit drawer on Sunday morning to find kit in pristine condition, clean, folded and smelling fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james-maclaren Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 It can be quite hard to find. Ebay to the rescue: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VANISH-STAIN-REMOVER-PR-WASH-SOAP-BAR-75g-/300602653867?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item45fd507cab#ht_743wt_907 Thanks Richard that was really helpful, especially as they spelt "pre-wash" wrong! And it is difficult to find. I tried 3 supermarkets to no avail. Thanks Mark for your amusing idea ! and to Graham for your useful suggestion. Anyone else wish to comment? James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions martin Posted October 24, 2011 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 With three sets of CX kit to wash, up to 4 times a week, Pauline is now insisting we get a 'dirty' washing machine installed in the garage. I think the plan is for no dirty kit to be allowed into the house at all... We could always just get new club kit in manky brown colour for the CX section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Jannza Posted October 24, 2011 Administrators Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 Vanish tablets and the powder work just as well (pink packaging) which you can get in Tesco. Works well on my mtb kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions duncan thomson Posted October 24, 2011 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted October 24, 2011 With three sets of CX kit to wash, up to 4 times a week, Pauline is now insisting we get a 'dirty' washing machine installed in the garage. I think the plan is for no dirty kit to be allowed into the house at all... We could always just get new club kit in manky brown colour for the CX section Martin, is that you offering to do the washing for us all, top man duncan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james-maclaren Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Vanish tablets and the powder work just as well (pink packaging) which you can get in Tesco.Works well on my mtb kit. Thanks Jannza, are the tablets just ordinary washing machine tablets but made by Vanish? Is the powder the OXI ACTION stuff? James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EPCC Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Ride at the front less dirt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Jannza Posted October 25, 2011 Administrators Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Yes James that's the ones, used with normal washing powder/tablets/liquid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james-maclaren Posted November 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I use Vanish pre-wash soap bars on my kit. You chuck your gear in the sink, get it damp and rub the soap on directly. I find that most stubborn stains are gone after a couple of minutes' attention with the soap bar. You just wash the clothes on a normal cycle afterwards. It definitely works on the sort of marks you get around pockets and cuffs; and on the tell-tale spray down the back of your jersey when you've been riding without mudguards. Whether it'll shift cyclocross-generated all-over muddiness, I'm no' sure. Very impressed with the soap. Thanks Richard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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