Laundry day might feel like a chore, but it is the key to a fresh closet and longer-lasting gear. You already care for your work and casual clothes, so show your cycling kit some love too. From long cycles to casual spins, your chamois and jersey collect sweat and odor. If you want your apparel to work as hard as you do, use this simple guide to keep everything ride-ready and fresh.

Wash Day Basics

Before you start the machine, do the small things that protect performance fabrics: sort by color and fabric weight, close zippers and velcro, and put small items in a mesh bag to prevent snags. Turn garments inside out to protect prints and reflective details. Use a small amount of sports detergent; more soap can leave residue that traps odor. Wash on a cold or cool, gentle cycle. Skip fabric softener and bleach because they break down elastane and technical fibers. When the cycle ends, remove promptly and hang dry. Avoid the dryer; heat and tumbling can stretch fabric and weaken grippers.

Special Care by Item

• Chamois Shorts and Bibs: Wash after every ride. Turn inside out. Cold water, gentle cycle, no softener. Hang dry.
• Merino: Use a wool-safe detergent in cool water. Reshape while damp and lay flat or hang away from direct sun.  
• Waterproof or Water-Resistant Shells: Keep clean so the fabric breathes. When water stops beading, wash the jacket and apply a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, then use low heat if the care label allows.
• Reflective Prints and Transfers: Wash inside out. Avoid hot water and high heat. Do not iron directly on prints or reflective elements.
• Gloves, Caps, Warmers, and Shoe Covers: Use a mesh bag so pairs stay together. Cold wash and hang dry. For neoprene covers, turn inside out to dry completely.

Stains and Stubborn Odors

• Mud and salt: Rinse with cool water first, then wash as usual.
• Chain grease: Pre-treat with a drop of liquid dish soap, rub gently, then wash.
• Sunscreen and body oils: Pre-treat with a small amount of sports detergent, let sit for ten minutes, then wash.
• Persistent odor: Do a short cold pre-soak with sports detergent. A small splash of white vinegar in the rinse can help synthetics; skip this on wool.

Drying and Storage

Drying is critical for fresh gear. Hang dry in moving air, out of direct sun. Avoid the dryer for anything with elastane. Make sure items are fully dry before storing. Fold or hang in a cool, dry space. Do not cram pockets or stuff drawers so tight that fabrics crease or stretch.

Repairs and Refresh

• Snags: Pull the thread gently to the inside with a needle, then smooth the face with a microfiber towel.
• Loose seams: A simple whip stitch with stretch thread can add miles of life.
• Pilling: Turn garments inside out on future washes and use a fabric shaver lightly.
• Zippers: Brush out grit and add a touch of zipper lubricant for sticky pulls.
• Season refresh: Clean and reproof rain shells, and retire any chamois that feels compressed.

Do's and Dont's

Do: wash soon after riding; use cold water and a small dose of sports detergent; turn garments inside out and close fasteners; hang dry.

Don't: use fabric softener or bleach; use high heat on stretch fabrics; store gear damp; scrub printed or reflective areas.

Quick Checklist

• After the Ride: air out, rinse, turn inside out.
• Wash Day: cold wash, gentle cycle, sports detergent, no fabric softener.
• Drying: hang dry, no high heat.
• Monthly: check seams, zippers, reflective prints.
• Season change: clean and reproof shells if water stops beading.