Cleaning? Definitely Necessary.

[xXecuterXx2]

Hey guys, pretty new to riding, but i haven't quite figured out the whole "hygiene" situation. Meaning i don't quite know how to wash my gear.... i know, i know, its probably more simple than childsplay, but i wanna get it clean before it starts to disintegrate in the wind...

[Ghostt]

What kind of gear? Type? Material? Etc.....

[xXecuterXx2]

Mainly jacket, armored, mesh. Got some gloves too, little bit of leather, carbon fiber, and other materials

[Ghostt]

If it's a textile mesh, just remove all the armour, and drop it in the washing machine, as I do with my mesh textile gear.

Gloves I usually just put them in the washer as well, any leather I treat after its dry, with saddle soap.

Also if your washer has a delicate setting, use that and warm water as well, no need for hot.

I might want to add do not place anyanything in the dryer, just let it all air dry, clothes line comes in handy.

For my helmet pads, which is removable, I wash those by hand with a little DAWN.

Hope this helps.

[Biker's]

For textile and mesh it's quiet easy just remove everything optioned with removable and simply putt them in a washing machine and you have done.

For leather always use wet piece of cotton with some baby soap and you will all in now Get clean the stuff with the some dry cloth.

[Ghostt]

For my leathers, I have the professional cleaned and conditioned.

They always come back looking and smelling better than new.

[InvisiBill]

Originally Posted by Ghostt

For my leathers, I have the professional cleaned and conditioned.

They always come back looking and smelling better than new.

Like a cow?

[Bigballsofpaint]

Havent washed anything since i bought it years ago, the few rides a year i get caught in the rain in should wash it right? I figure when it gets too nasty its time to buy a new one.

[NevadaWolf]

I just washed my textile gear after two weeks of riding in sweltering heat. It was a bit, er, ripe.

Just removed everything from all pockets (debit cards, spare key, armor) and dropped it in the machine. Hung it up out in the garage to dry. Looks and smells much better.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by InvisiBill

Like a cow?

There are products that let you wash leather in your machine.

http://www.leathertherapy.com/produc...-GIFT-SET.html


I've done it, but there wasn't all that much difference once I was done. Then again, my gear wasn't super-grungy to begin with.

I use Lexol products for spot cleaning and conditioning. Inexpensive, and they do a good job.

Biggest point if you do wash your leathers (or if they just get wet) is to let them air-dry. I know this doesn't apply to the OP, but who knows... maybe a leather jacket lies in his future.

Wet leather will stretch under its own weight if you hang the jacket up. When you take it out of the washer, stuff towels down both arms and in the body, zip it up and lay it flat on another towel. Come back after a while, change out all the towels for dry ones and turn it over. That way the jacket keeps its shape.

Just a side note: The best way to keep your gear nice is to not let it get gross in the first place. Gross comes not from road dirt, but from the rider.

I wear wicking underwear under my gear... long bottoms and a long-sleeved shirt (yes, even in summer.... it's lightweight stuff, and combined with perforated leather it's really not particularly hot). I also wear a Coolmax wicking balaclava to keep my helmet clean.

This underlayer also helps on super-hot days, especially the balaclava... I wet it down with cold water and it keeps me frosty for a surprisingly long time.

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by InvisiBill

Like a cow?

not that new

A professional leather cleaning, not only cleans the leather properly, but they also 're-oil/condition/touch up the leathers.

It comes back clean, looking better like new, and softer.

The only drawback is it cost $$$$ and they need to send it out, so it gone for about a few days, but it's worth it. A jacket is about $75 USD.

I'm getting ready to have my perforated leather jacket done soon, I'll try to remember to get before and after pictures for those whom might be interested. Maybe even a write-up.

[DSomething]

You can put your textile and mesh gear (jacket and pants) in the washing machine even if the care instructions say to hand wash? I've been hand washing but the machine would be so much better

Does it degrade the material at all?

D.