Cleaning chamois question

Chad Waldman <chad.waldman@_no_spam_mail.com> wrote:
: I bought a pair of Loius Garneau bib shorts last month that I have worn about 4 times. They have
: the ergo-g chamois inside (louisgarneau.comhh2 chamois.aspOpen ↗). After
: just a few washes, the chamois doesn't seem to be as cushioned as it used to be. I wash it with
: the rest of my clothes on the cold cycle and hang dry. Is there any ideas as to why this would
: happen and if I can get the foam cushioning (or whatever they use) to expand again

Consider that the cushioning has settled because you've been sitting on it. Some foams are more
prone to collapsing than others. The main function of the chamois is to absorb moisture so that the
wearer doesn't chaff themself raw. Padding is secondary, but it seems that's what many people buy
cycling nix for.

I don't have a solution for your collapsed padding (sorry) but it doesn't seem likely that washing
alone is the reason. Many of us who have invested serious money in cycling gear wash it separately -
often by hand - to get maximum value.

Hope this helps, cheerz, Lynzz

x-no-archive:yes

Quoted message said:

I bought a pair of Loius Garneau bib shorts last month that I have worn about 4 times. They have
the ergo-g chamois inside (louisgarneau.comhh2 chamois.aspOpen ↗). After
just a few washes, the chamois doesn't seem to be as cushioned as it used to be. I wash it with
the rest of my clothes on the cold cycle and hang dry. Is there any ideas as to why this would
happen and if I can get the foam cushioning (or whatever they use) to expand again.

Thanks, Chad

Just a hunch, but have you been using fabric softener? That can affect the material adversely. In
fact, some of my clothes (such as socks) warn against using any type of fabric softeners, so I just
wash them out by hand.

Pat

Chad Waldman said:

I bought a pair of Loius Garneau bib shorts last month that I have worn about 4 times. They have
the ergo-g chamois inside (louisgarneau.comhh2 chamois.aspOpen ↗). After
just a few washes, the chamois doesn't seem to be as cushioned as it used to be. I wash it with
the rest of my clothes on the cold cycle and hang dry. Is there any ideas as to why this would
happen and if I can get the foam cushioning (or whatever they use) to expand again.

Thanks, Chad

I've been wearing their regular spandex shorts for about 2 years. Bought one pair a couple years
ago, another last year. They just get machine washed cold in Tide with other sports stuff and hung
on the shower rail to dry. The only sign of wear after 2 years is the logo is wearing off the leg.
label says: 80% nylon, 20% Elasthane Chamois outside 100% polyester Inside 100% nylon Guarantees
exclusive of trim Fabriquee au Canada

This model costs around $40 CAD, so it is at the low end of this sort of product. Still they do
stand up well.

Please believe me when I tell you I do not endorse any labels - this is just a report because you
posted. I prefer to buy unlabeled unpackaged bulk product when ever I can, and find clothing
manufacturers to be somewhat absurd regarding what they try to charge, and what they call their
product in order to make it "unique". Sometimes it is justified eg: "GoreTex", often it is just
another polyester shirt. Keep Crankin'! Have a good time! Best regards, Bernie