Anyone who spends a lot of time on a bike, whether for sports or in everyday life, will eventually opt for special cycling or functional clothing. For the time spent on the bike, this clothing is absolutely practical and offers many advantages. At the same time, it is significantly more complicated than regular jeans or a T-shirt when it comes to washing or caring for it properly. To ensure the functionality of cycling clothing, there are some tips on washing and care that we have compiled for you in this article.
What can cycling clothing do and how long does it last?
Anyone who buys functional or special cycling clothing does so for one reason: the comfort while riding should be higher than with everyday clothing. This can be reflected in many aspects, as cycling clothing is often waterproof, breathable, particularly robust or features clever details that make riding easier or more pleasant.
Especially in adverse conditions, for example in autumn, in rain and cold, special functional clothing can determine whether you still ride your bike or prefer to take the car or train. Therefore, the expectation for cycling clothing, which can sometimes cost several hundred euros, is inevitably very high.
Anyone who spends a lot of money on a piece of clothing initially assumes that it has a long lifespan. Basically, this is also true for functional and cycling clothing, but there are still some mistakes that should be avoided when washing and caring for it, otherwise, enjoyment quickly turns into frustration. High-quality cycling clothing is not an indestructible product, but requires special care.
What mistakes should you avoid when washing cycling clothing?
The biggest mistake you can make after a muddy and wet tour is to simply throw the collected pile of cycling clothing into the washing machine and let the automatic program run. In this case, it is almost guaranteed that at least one of your items will be damaged. Functional clothing is made from a variety of materials, each with its own characteristics. A good hint is actually provided by the small sewn-in labels in the clothing, which are generally given little attention.
So the clear rule is: sort clothing by type and material, study washing symbols, and then decide how to wash.
Many manufacturers of cycling clothing also provide tips and tricks on washing and care on their websites. You should definitely follow these tips if you want to ensure the functionality of your favorite pieces for a long time.
How do I properly wash my cycling clothing?
In the previous section, you already learned what not to do when it comes to washing functional clothing. Consequently, this section is about the basic rules you should definitely follow when washing. Depending on the material and its membrane, the washing and care process becomes even more specific (consider manufacturer instructions!). However, with our tips, you are on the right track and ensure that the functionality of your clothing does not drop to zero.
First of all, it should be clarified how often you should wash your cycling clothing. However, there are differences here as well, so a general answer is not possible. The frequency of washing cycles depends on the product and its intended use.
A rain jacket or a dirt suit for example can be worn until it is really so dirty that it becomes uncomfortable to wear. It is meant to keep rain and dirt away from the body and will accordingly get dirty again after the next ride in bad weather. Here, it is sufficient to hang it in a well-ventilated place after riding to let it dry slowly.
A tight-fitting bib shorts or cycling shorts with a seat pad on the other hand, which are usually worn without underwear underneath, should be washed regularly. The bacteria that form when sweating not only cause an unpleasant odor but also accelerate the decomposition process of the material in the long run.
With jerseys or classic cycling shorts it depends a bit on your cleanliness preferences, but you can use them several times before they need to be washed.
To further protect your functional clothing during the wash cycle, you should close all zippers and Velcro fasteners and turn the clothing inside out. If you put your cycling clothing in a laundry bag, you protect it even more. Since cycling clothing is often made of synthetic fabrics, a laundry bag against microplastics is recommended. This also prevents additional microplastics from entering the drinking water.
Additionally, you should make sure not to overload the washing drum. This minimizes the friction between individual pieces of clothing and thus also the wear and tear.
Of course, the choice of the appropriate detergent is particularly important. As a golden rule, you should definitely remember: Never use fabric softener or bleach and it's best to avoid powdered detergent!
For the correct washing of cycling clothing, there are two types of products you should use. One is a special detergent for functional clothing, e.g. F100 functional detergent. The other is a impregnation detergent for water-repellent garments.
You should also avoid excessive and very long spinning and instead hang the clothing to dry in a breezy, shady place after washing, rather than pressing all the moisture out of the material during spinning. You should also avoid vigorous wringing in this process to prevent damaging the membrane of the material. Under no circumstances should you put your freshly washed functional clothing in the dryer – the risk of causing irreparable damage to the function of your clothing is too great.
How do I properly care for my cycling clothing?
After washing comes care, but first, distinctions must be made here as well, and it must be clear what all falls under the topic of “care of cycling clothing.” Basically, this begins when putting on the clothing and does not only focus on the washing process.
The clothing is usually made of special materials that always have a particular function. For water-repellent fabrics, for example, the membrane determines whether water beads off or finds its way inside the clothing. In a fall, this membrane can be compromised. Therefore, exercise caution when putting on to ensure the membrane does not suffer from uncontrolled pulling and tearing.
When we are already talking about water-repellent materials, impregnation is naturally also a topic.
Generally, water-repellent garments should be gently dried after washing before refreshing the impregnation. Normal functional clothing can usually be impregnated while damp, but this can vary depending on the manufacturer of the cycling clothing, so again, a look at the sewn-in label provides clarity.
The frequency of refreshing the impregnation naturally depends on how often you use the clothing. A good guideline is the “beading control.” If raindrops stick to the clothing and no longer bead off easily, it is high time to renew the impregnation.
My cycling clothing smells unpleasant despite multiple washes. What can I do?
With cycling clothing that is constantly in contact with the body and thus constantly exposed to sweat, it can happen that an unpleasant odor remains despite multiple washes . In this case, the bacteria produced during sweating are likely the culprits, as they survive a washing machine wash at 30°C effortlessly.
To get rid of the smell, there are now two options, one of which is relatively expensive and the other only requires a freezer. Option one in the fight against unpleasant odors is a disinfectant additive when washing. However, this is usually relatively expensive and also not always compatible with functional clothing. It is therefore essential to pay attention and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The much cheaper and completely harmless option is the “shock freezing” of the bacteria. Put your smelly clothes in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for 24 hours. While the bacteria can survive a wash cycle, they most likely have no chance with this method. It doesn't work with every smell, but it's definitely worth a try.
If you have further questions on the topic or comments and tips for all bikers and readers of our blog, feel free to write to us in the comments of this blog post.
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