Lames and Washing Machines

[dekko]

Just curious, what would happen to a lame, I knwo there are different kinds, if someone were to put one into a normal wash cycle through a machine machine and dryer?

I am curious because it seems odd that there are machine washable gloves with lame material on it and it seems to do fine but it is usually not reccomended for a standard foil or sabre lame.

If different lame material types do differently with different methods mention that as well.

Just curious. Thanks.

[SJCFU#2]

Pure speculation, but I suspect that the agitator in a top-loading washer would end up beating the lame, pulling, bending and flexing the fabric until the metalic threads would eventually break. The cuff on a glove is much smaller and generally stiffer (due to the heavier backing) so it is less likely to get wrapped around the agitator.

I also suspect that a front-loading washer would cause much less damage.

[Zilverzmurfen]

You could try turning your lamé inside out and then put it in a washing bag?

[KD5MDK]

Infinity lames are supposed to be washing machine safe. I think the rough treatment and rubbing against itself is the primary drawback of washing machines on metallic thread lames. Some of them qualify almost as abrasives (sandpaper) for what they'll do to skin, sleeves, etc rubbing against it.

[DHCJr]

What SJCFU#2 said is very good. The flexing of metal is never good. Those who have seen what happens under the arm of a Sabre lame would agree with what KD5MDK said, but I have always wondered about the washability of the Infinity lames, consider how well their seems hold up.

[edew]

Also be aware of the detergent used. Apparently, some will coat the wires to make them completely non-conductive. One fencer put his saber glove/manchette combo in the wash. Came out pearly white but dead as a doornail for conductivity. I tested it and basically, you can drive a current through 1 cm of fabric, but space the two test leads beyond 1 cm and it's dead. Even a gentle scratching to attempt to remove the coating didn't help. It's like he scotch-guarded his glove.

[Frank Pratt]

I would avoid a washing machine with all lames; even the “washable” ones will probably last longer if you don’t wash them mechanically. I've heard that lames should be gently hand-washed with a mild detergent such as Woolite and rinsed very thoroughly. I’ve never tried this, though, so I can't guarantee that you won't do the kind of damage that Edew mentioned, but I don’t think Woolite would cause a problem.

I would think the most important thing would be get the salt from your perspiration off of the lame, and a simple rinsing would do this. I even heard one fencer suggest that you simply rinse it out in the shower and let it air dry.

I always store my lame inside-out on a thick plastic hanger to protect the metal mesh from rubbing up against other things during transport (e.g. my jacket/knickers.) This is a very good idea if you need to stuff the lame in your bag with your other gear, though I avoid this at all costs. Like DHCJr said, bending is bad.

[noodle]

if you're going to wash it:
1) use the most gentile cycle possible
2) don't use any detergent. maybe give it a quick pre-spray with windex or something similar.

i wouldn't reccomend washing, though. spray it down and stick it in the shower.

[DHCJr]

For ladies this is easy, for the men, well! Wash like you would wash delicates, except adding the amonia as described above and rinsing and ringsing again. Look at a Woollite bottle and it will tell you to hang dry. You do the same for the lame. Do not put it out in the sun. I've had lames for the Long Beach State team last for over 20 years. In fact some of the linings gave way before the lame.

[edew]

if you're going to wash it:
1) use the most gentile cycle possible
[...]

Is that kosher?

[dekko]

I have an older Santelli sabre lame and figured I would try it and see what happened after all it's my money, it's dirty and nasty and I am really out no money if it doesn't work as it does work anyway and I don't want to wear it unless it gets cleaned anyway.... So....

I ran it through a normal wash and dry and it came out fine. It feels and smells much better. There are some tiny green spots on one of the sleeves that was there before and we all know how to get those out.

I am going to try it with an old Triplette lame, same situation, and let you know how it goes.

Again, these are my lames and can't use them anyway so I am not any money if it ruins the lames so we shall see.

[Inquartata]

One washing probably won't kill a lame. It will just shorten its life ( more than it does with all garments, that is ).

[dekko]

True, washing any garmet does weaken the fabric itself but I have always wondered why and wanted to try it and see what would happen. Seems as though it's still fabric and should be able to wash....

When I wash the Triplette lame I will let you know how it comes out.