How do you clean your riding gear?

[AKBEEMER]

I power wash my riding gear using just water. Easy to do and fairly effective in removing the grime. I douse them with NikWax and they remain water resistant.

[bogthebasher]

Where I live there exists 'sports wash centers' that utilize special washing systems (built like inside-out front load washing machines) that hold the equipment stationary (no damage from parts banging against each other) and move the water/cleaning solution around the gear. These systems are also used by pro sports teams and Fire/EMS because the ability to clean, disinfect and sanitize very well and do comply with guidelines for specialised protective equipment (NFPA 1851 standard). I toured the local facility and was very impressed as they were 'washing' a motocross suit along with boots, gloves and helmet! The leather parts came out soft as a babies bottom and the synthetics were nice and clean with no odor at all. The one point I forgot to ask about was whether the cleaning agents were also friendly to Gortex or like water-proof gear. My plan is to try this out when my gear is at a point I can't live with it any longer; likely at the end of this season. because I am in Canada many people are familiar with it via cleaning their kids hockey gear which parents pay a lot of $ to acquire and want to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

[iRene]

Where I live there exists 'sports wash centers' that utilize special washing systems (built like inside-out front load washing machines) that hold the equipment stationary (no damage from parts banging against each other) and move the water/cleaning solution around the gear. These systems are also used by pro sports teams and Fire/EMS because the ability to clean, disinfect and sanitize very well and do comply with guidelines for specialised protective equipment (NFPA 1851 standard). I toured the local facility and was very impressed as they were 'washing' a motocross suit along with boots, gloves and helmet! The leather parts came out soft as a babies bottom and the synthetics were nice and clean with no odor at all. The one point I forgot to ask about was whether the cleaning agents were also friendly to Gortex or like water-proof gear. My plan is to try this out when my gear is at a point I can't live with it any longer; likely at the end of this season. because I am in Canada many people are familiar with it via cleaning their kids hockey gear which parents pay a lot of $ to acquire and want to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Canada is so freeking civilised!
I am having laundry envy.

[rebake]

I had my coffee thermos in my pannier and the stopper was a little loose,so some of it leaked out.Fortunatly i had my heated liner in there to soak it up.Instructions say to hand wash and line dry,so ....i...wore...it..in..the...shower.Cindylu came in and looked at me then slowly backed out of the room.Hung it up to dry overnight and iy looks and smells like new.Ed

[PattiB]

I have a 7 year old First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket that I wash in a top loading washing machine, after removing the armour, with regular detergent at least twice a riding season. I have scrubbed the extra grubby parts using 'Resolve' and a soft brush...let it rest for an hour or two then washed it. I use extra fabric softener in the rinse and hang to dry. It still sheds the rain very nicely. My Joe Rocket perforated leather and textile Reactor jacket gets the same treatment and looks pretty good for being 6 years old. The reflective parts still reflect and it does not shrink in size.

You put your leather jacket in the washing machine?

A note about fabric softener...it blocks up the gear that is supposed to be breathable so it may not be good for goretex items and tech wear shirts.

[bumblebee]

Yes I do wash my leather jacket and it looks very good for being so old. You make a good point about the fabric softener. Fortunately this ancient Kilimanjaro Jacket was not made of Goretex or a breathable fabric.

Our riding season up here in Ontario Canada has pretty much come to an end. There were some snow flurries this afternoon. BRRRRR.

[lkchris]

Rather than all the home remedies, why not products made for the job?