Yes, you read the title right: I have the Honigs elite knickers and my belt (leather; from another vendor) has rubbed some stain marks around the loops and in front. I guess its from sweat, as I sweat all over.

The care instructions say no bleach, but I need to get them out. Stains, even if they don't show much during wear, drive me absolutely crazy.

So, what have you guys used to get knickers back to their original white?

About 40 bucks :)

Seriously, I've never used bleach. I've just let them soak for an extended period of time (12 or more hours) using a bit more good laundy soap than normal. This has worked on the black belt stains that you're talking about. If after you've tried this they still don't look clean, don't let them dry. Resoak them again. Good luck!

[Edited by Patton on Sep 22nd, 2005 at 12:15 AM]

I hate to tell you to try something and it not work for you, but my wife does use bleach on my knickers once or twice a year, especially when the rains come and we're playing in the mud.

You're not alone in the belt stains, I get them too.

The belt covers up my belt stains so I'm good.

However, DON'T use bleach on knickers. That's how they turn yellow.

Knicker+Bleach=BAD

Try soaking them in Amaze for about 24 hours then wash them. Dump the Amaze into the wash water. BUT no bleach. Your pants will turn grey.

Can you imagine back in your high school days if the guys in the locker room heard you discussing how to wash your pants. I think you would be placed in a separate locker room all by yourself.

buy patent leather belt, the reverse is light brown and leaves small stain that is not noticeable. This stain washes out easily. My older belt left this nasty black stain, I wear it with my black short now for lower level games.

Coincidentally, the same reason I can make my jockey shorts last three or four years. :)

ref18 is correct. Bleach isn't going to harm your knickers but it will turn them yellow in you use it regularly.

I don't have a problem with the belt. Maybe you need to try a different brand. But what I do have trouble with is the buckle leaving a small rust stain during humid or rainy games. I've even had this problem with a relatively new belt. Any solution?

From my wife, who does use bleach, and my pants are not yellow or gray but extremely white...

I only use bleach when they are really bad (covered in mud).

If they are not too bad ( a few splatters or grass stains) I use Oxyclean first. It is not bleach, but works as well for most stains. It is a powder that does not ruin anything if you get it directly on the clothes and it has no odor.

Before doing anything I spray all the stains with Shout spot treatment.

To use either product I fill the washer with water. Add the usual amount of soap and the Oxyclean or bleach (per directions) to the water while it is filling. Once it is full let the washer agitator mix the stuff for a few seconds then add the knickers to the water. Do NOT pour the bleach directly on the clothes. If they are bad I usually stop the washer and let everything soak for an hour or two (really bad I leave it overnight). Then run the washer as usual. When I use bleach I usually set the washer for the extra rinse cycle to help get rid of some of the bleach odor.

Here's my procedure I follow on muddy days.

Get home,

take of clothes right away, put in bucket of warm water with oxyclean and let soak for an hour or 2.

Then put in washer, use liquid detergent, and throw some borax in there.

There hasn't been a stain this method hasn't gotten rid of.

At what point do you open your first beer. Let's get our priorities straight.

Tonight, I didn't change out of my uniform before my first refreshing beverage. However, usually changing if the first thing I do.

Simple Green

You can find it in the Automotive section of Wal-Mart. Don't dilute it, just spray it straight on the stain and wash with your whites in hot water. Works like a charm.

I actually used it on an old rag cleaning my Harley once and it took most of the grease stains off of the rag.

Warning: Do not use it on your socks very often - it will make them deteriorate very quickly.

I have developed a concoction over the past 25 years that seems to work real well and has conquered any stain I can think of.

1 scoop of powdered laundry detergent
1 scoop of oxyclean (a new addition)
1 cup of white vinegar (used by pro cleaners for intensifying whites)
1 cup of Goop hand cleaner (the secret ingredient)

Put your uniform in the washer as soon as you get home. Allow to fill and begin to agitate. Turn off the washer and let soak over night. The next morning start the washer to complete the cycle. I am wearing Honig Elite knickers that are now 6 years old and they still look brand new.

Here's what I've done the past two weeks. Both played in Mud.

Get home, throw bag in a corner. Break bag out bag the following Thursday night or Friday morning. Get out the Spray and Wash, douse the pants in it. Throw em in a washer on Hot Water cycler.

Good as new in 30 minutes. Hang to dry.