Washing Dainese suits?

[Banshee Rider]

Hey, I dont post here much but I was hoping you guys could help me out with a question. I just got a nice used dainese shuttle suit and it could use a washing before i actually ride in it. I was told that dry cleaning is the better option, however both dry cleaners in my area said that it cant be done. I was also told that its not good for them to put in the washer. So my question is: is the washer talk false and it'll be fine, or should i go outside my area to find a drycleaner and do it right? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks! :thumb:

Sparky

[zedro]

just hand wash it, not difficult.

[CBJ]

I have washed mine at least three times last year. The only thing I didn't wash was the back protection that can be zipped off. It still looks good and no problems.

[Banshee Rider]

Thanks for the quick responses, into the washer she goes!

[ChrisKring]

Thanks for the quick responses, into the washer she goes!

I zip off the spine protector. Then stuff the suit in a mesh bag and wash in the washine machine. That way it doesn't get tangled up.

[Brian HCM#1]

Yep washing machine, make sure its on delicate.

[Gun Show]

I have washed mine probably 20 time in the last year. I take to spine protection off and turn the suit as inside out as I can so that the legs and arms are in the middle. The biggest concern is that if a plastic knee or elbow rubs against something inside the washer it will create a wear mark and destroy the plastic.

[JRogers]

There are a few different techniques people use. Just wash it in the machine, hand wash in a tub, put it on and take a shower with it or (this is what I do) take it outside, rub some detergent on and hose it down. Any of those will work for basically any type of armor.

[ChrisRobin]

I would usually hose mine down in the driveway and watch the muddy water run down to the street...then hang dry.

I've had another Dainese suit drycleaned before. They had to send it to some special steam place. Came back looking great but it was expensive. Something you do once a year. I'm going to try that suit-in-a-mesh-bag idea.

[Zutroy]

I wash mine with Woolite in the bath tub...let it soak for a while and then rinse....works well for me.

[Mr. Furious]

You should be able to find a mesh bag with a draw-string in the laundry soap isle in your grocery store. Throw the armour in one or two of those bags, drop it in the washer and you're good to go. Air dry after it's gone through the spin cycle.

I had an azonic z-5 suit that went into the wash once a week during the fall, winter, and spring, and up to 2-3 times per week in the summer months. Lasted 2 seasons. Got rid of the armour because I got sick of dealing with an uncooperative zipper and all the straps fell apart (looks like the thread used to stitch the armour together was a little light).

So far my 661 Pressure suit is holding up well, but it's a bulkier suit overall -- makes for a tighter fit in the washer, but still plenty of room for my knee/shin armour, gloves, pants, jersey, etc.

[EVRAC]

I put mine in the wash once in a while if it gets filthy.
After most rides I hang it up and spray it with "febreze".
Keeps the stink in check.

Took it to "Esporta", a hockey armour cleaning place.
Cost about $35 bucks. I came back faded and stiff and itchy. Won't try that again.

[Repack]

I stopped putting mine in the washer after I sae a guy at a race with a massive gouge in the shoulder cup. I soak mine in a tashcan w/ soap then blast it with the hose.

[stiksandstones]

mesh bag-delicate-hang dry. No problems.

Do not ask Judd Devall how to wash his though, I dont think he ever washed it. ;-)

[Gary]

I wash mine (shuttle pro suit) after every ride, on a cold wash with only a tiny bit of powder. I take the spine protector off, left it on once and wore a hole in it on the rinse cycle. it's over 4 years old now and fine except for the damage to the spine protector. If it's really muddy I rinse it off in the garden with a hose along with the rest of my riding gear before it goes in the wash.

folding it up inside a pillow case would protect it from damage in the machine.

my dad owns a dry cleaning shop and i've never thought of having it drycleaned. Def wouldn't if I had to pay for it.

[Repack]

I may be beating a dead horse here, but one tip I heard was to leave the lid open so that the spin dry will not engage. But my (parents) washer will not work at all w/ the lid open.