The Labonville Chaps washing instructions say they should only be hand washed. Full blown machine washing can tangle the internal fibres so they don't work properly. No washing at all and getting them all matted with sweat and oil also means the kevlar fibres may not run out properly. So as well as getting rid of external oil and crud, gentle washing helps untangle the fibres so they will work better if they are ever put to the test..
We have a "hand wash" setting on our washing machine which I figure is OK. Considering I only use them on weekend I wash them about twice a year, or if they get saturated in Oil.
My 6 ply Labonville's set have not really come clean since I milled with a buddy's 3120 last summer. While milling I like to lean on the saw with my thigh or on bigger logs with my hip. but the exhaust from the 3120 blew straight onto my thighs covering them with oily crud - buddy insisted on running 25:1 I put them through the machine twice and they are still greasy. That's why I like my 076 and 880 with the exhaust directed away from the oeprator.
As for cleaning the washing machine afterwards I usually put the dogs bedding through immediately after that and blamed the dog if there were any problems
One problem has come up though - dog passed away last month so will need to find another excuse.
In winter I wear them over armless overalls and in summer I wear them over cargo shorts. Oh yeah and do wear them sometimes them with the orange stihl suspenders
