Modern Vespa

I want very high visibility gear when I ride.

Last year I tried machine wash, "hand-wash" cycle with very good soap (Persil)....without much luck in removing the road grime which builds up on my Hi Viz FirstGear armored riding jacket.

So, this year - into the tub ... Worked the jacket for nearly an hour with Persil and a med soft long bristle nylon brush.
Back into the machine for a rinse....then hung dry outdoors in the shade. Washed the 5 pads and their covers.

Very, very nice results. The work with the brush did the trick!

Sleeves before:

Left


Right



The Tub


All Clean!






So, use good soap, and a med soft brush .....and invest nearly an hour!

O.S.

Good work! The dirt and grime is why black jackets are so popular I think I have 6 riding jackets 2 of which are lighter in colour and you can really notice the grime.

With my white mesh it is the area around the collar where it come sin contact with my sunscreen (lightly tinted) and cuffs that is the worst. I spray it with stain remover and let it sit for a bit before tossing in the washer. Seems to work reasonably well.

Same with my grey jacket. Where the sweat mixes with the grime is the worst. I find the cuffs get pretty dirty quickly as well.

wow your jacket looks great!

my hi viz is also black with grime......but washing for an hour? I'm too lazy for that.

So dirty I shall remain. grimy gopam haha

My bright yellow Tourmaster also shows the dirt. I spray a stain remover called Resolve (available on Amazon) on the stains, sometime use my finger nail or toothbrush to work it in, and then wash it in the machine like any other garment. I do the same with my whitish Olympia mesh riding pants and do them in the same load. I don't take out the armor. I also throw in the lining in my Shoei helmet at the same time. I air dry everything on a clothes line. They come out pretty clean and refreshed. Note: I throw in a little vinegar with every load. Its a cleaning strategy that has been practiced for centuries.

I have no idea how you do this with leather gear. Suggestions?

Best
Miguel

Try Oxiclean.
I worked on my scooter in a pair of old white shorts. They were ruined so I thought, then I saw the Oxiclean container and figured I would give it a shoot. Spotless, got every bit out.
Now I use it on everything I ruin working on my stuff. Wife is much less agitated when I come in wearing my new shirt covered in grease.
And the great part, it is color safe

One whole scoop per gal of water in a container and let it soak till clean.

OxiClean is amazing stuff, I put a scoop in every load of laundry.

For really dirty or hard to clean stuff I use an ancient technique. I bring my garment to a shop and hand it to a person over a counter. They give me a ticket with a number on it. I come back later with the ticket, there is a financial exchange and I am handed my clean garment back from behind the counter. It's magic I tell you!

They put it in a big washer with more or less Brake clean Yes, brake cleaner (The Chlorinated stuff.) is dry cleaning fluid.
Have a stain, spray is with brake clean.

We have been successful using naphtha as well.

When I had hi viz I found Shout spray cleaner did the trick. Also a splash of vinegar in the water help too.

Used that before. Try Oxiclean, the results will blow you away

I have heard others sing the praise of Oxiclean. I'll have to pick some up and give it a try.

The stain remover I use has oxiclean in it.

Can you give us a brand name? Thanks

This is what I buy, https://www.amazon.com/OxiClean-Versatile-Stain-Remover-7-22/dp/B005GI8UOO
The straight Oxiclean blows all the stuff WITH Oxiclean out of the water. No comparison at all. The garment will come out looking like new again.

Thanks WEB-Tech

I'm currently out but I bought it at Kroger and it has oxiclean on the label.

I use Oxiclean also. I soak my garments overnight to easily remove the dirt.

They have Krogers in Colorado? !

O.S.

I bought it last in Houston but yes, they have Kroger in Colorado though they call it either City Market or King Soopers depending on where in the state you are.

I'll have to look for spray cleaner with Oxiclean in it. Good to know. Thanks

They have Kroger in Los Angeles, too.

They're called Ralph's and Food 4 Less.

I think they are stealthily taking over the country.