Keeping my Cycling Kits Clean with Tide® PODS™ + Downy®

Did you know I finally bit the bullet and started an Insta just for my cycling excursions? I’d been mulling over the idea of doing that for some time but was conflicted because I never took advantage of the Flanboyant Eats account, which is simply about my cooking adventures. It would make sense to work the life out of that one before cycling, but I’ve found some serious joy in sharing my jaunts on my Honey Bee road bike. Not that I couldn’t share it on my main House of Bren Insta; rather that my cycling life is so involved and in the short two years of being back in the saddle, I’ve been able to amass a lot of cool images to warrant its own page. Check it out!

With that very avid spirit and passion for cycling, comes also a very active cleaning and laundry process. I have a distance goal every week of about 120 miles. That means I’m riding at least 4 times a week; 5 if I’m lucky. That’s idyllic; not reality. Not this week. That kind of time on the saddle means my kits – the outfit cyclists wear – have to stay fresh and clean and in top shape. The stuff is not cheap! I’m talking, easily $250 for the jersey alone. $20 for a pair of socks. That kind of money-dropping. All that means is that I’m doing laundry almost every other day. Because no one wants to be on my wheel smelling a kit that’s been worn twice before washing. EW! (Please tell me you watch Jimmy Fallon!)

Just as important as the convenience factor is the smell good factor. We all love that vintage smell of freshly laundered clothes, sheets, etc. Nothing like it, really. These wonderfully-sized Tide® PODS™ + Downy® have given my clothes, not just my kids, that fresh and so clean-clean smell and feel I love clinging to. And, because the packets have fabric softener I can finally let go of dryer sheets… which I’ve loved until about a week ago. Another conversation for another day, but I was contemplating an excuse to stop buying them. Voila!

No matter how much cycling I do, and how many and how often loads of laundry I have to do, it’s never too much of a hassle if I can appreciate that the Tide® PODS™ + Downy® are not only convenient and keep me my clothes fresh and clean, but also help keep a safe environment.

I’ve been using a really great lavender-scented liquid detergent for the most part, which I keep on the floor, right next to the full-sized stackable washer and dryer. I buy it in bulk sizes since I’m washing so much but all that does is take up a lot of space and subject me to spillage… and spillage means waste and exposure. And waste around here is deeply frowned upon. And exposure has long-term implications I’m not trying to assume.

Thanks to Tide® PODS™ + Downy® I can avoid all of the minor mishaps I was experiencing so often. These laundry packets are so legit in saving me space –I can place the container on top my washer and even if it falls, there won’t be any accidental spillage. There aren’t any fumes or chemicals that permeate my laundry room and tamper with other goodies I store in there.

But the true convenience of the packets I’ve been enjoying is its packaging. While I don’t mind adding liquid to the small cavity drawer in my washer, I can simply throw a laundry packet in the bowl/drum and let it do its thing. One is enough for most of my loads but if I’ve done a really long ride – something along the lines of 50+ miles, I’ll use two for maximum effect. I’m also fully sold on the convenience, thanks to my Mother who has sworn by Tide® PODS™ forever; for that same reason. In her case, the liquid dispenser was a bit too far of an arm’s stretch. At her house, she can just open the top door and throw them in there. And now I’m doing the same.

Its good and sexy fun knowing my kits are not only fly, but also well washed. Ride on!

*This is a sponsored post with Tide and P&G. All opinions are truthful and always my own. 

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