Cycling is an adventurous sport that helps you maintain both fitness and excitement. Proper cycling attire is also important to enhance your overall performance. The enticing mechanism jersey, vest, gloves, shorts, bibs, and leg warmers are every bike rider's darlings. Cycling apparel endures a lot while you're cycling on the road. They have to absorb your sweat, mud stains, and dirt, but of course, you should buy attire to last as long as possible. Read well about it now: how to wash and maintain your cycling outfit! Delve deep to explore washing tips and tricks for cycling clothing.
Proper washing and drying techniques for cycling jerseys
Proper maintenance of cycling jerseys not only increases their lifespan but also improves your cycling experience. Use cold water and a mild detergent to wash them. Afterwards, let them air dry and store your cycling outfits properly to prevent fading and damage. Don't use harsh chemicals to remove stubborn stains. Rather, try a gentle approach, like soaking them for a while and using a stain remover. Replace your cycling jerseys when you notice significant wear and tear or when their fit or performance is compromised. Otherwise, let them be a part of your cycling kit.
The Material of Cycling Clothing
Cycling attire is made of synthetic fibres- instant fabrics that wick your sweat away while riding. They're crafted to fit your body curves and absorb sweat properly. Hence, it's crucial to ensure the clothing material breathes well. Now we must know how to wash cycling clothes carefully.
Washing advice for your cycling jerseys
The cycling outfits necessitate proper care. You can clean cycling gear, including jerseys, even after an intense ride, without damaging the material. Make sure that your clothes look tight and right. Washing cycling jerseys is quite different from washing your other outfits. Clean them as much as possible without damaging the fabric and material. Follow these key steps to wash your cycling jerseys properly:
- Separate your jerseys from your other clothing
- Use a 30-degree Celsius or 86-degree Fahrenheit wash program or cold water
- Spin the cycling jersey in a long cycle for proper rinsing
- Avoid harsh chemicals like fabric softeners and bleach to maintain fabric quality, wicking properties, and elasticity
- Let them air dry where there is good ventilation, and never iron them afterwards
- Store them separately from Other Clothing to make them ready to wear
The purpose behind separating cycling jerseys from other clothing is to keep your cycling clothing clean and last longer. Synthetic fibres used in cycling jerseys, shirts, and shorts can be damaged if washed with other 100% cotton clothing. Colours can also bleed, which can affect other clothing.
Stain removal tips for common cycling jersey stains (e.g., mud, grease, sweat)
How to get stains out of a jersey? After a long ride, if you haven't washed your cyclist jersey for hours, you may get stubborn stains. To remove these stains, it's best to do a pre-rinse of the clothing in water. Several washing programs also do a wash before normal washing, which should be sufficient for thorough rinsing. This pre-treat session on a damp cloth helps to remove grease, mud, or other stains. You can also use a stain remover specifically used for athletic wear.
Soaking your cycling jersey in cold water can remove tougher stains easily. Add a gentle detergent in cold water to speed up removal. Wash away with clean water after a few hours. Never apply strong pre-wash spray or bleach to your cycling clothing. Harsh chemicals can damage the fabric and decrease its performance.
Spot Cleaning
Spot clean your cycling jersey as soon as possible in case of spills or minor stains. Instant spot cleaning prevents stains from setting for longer. Apply a small amount of detergent on a damp cloth and dab the affected area. Keep gently blotting until the stain lifts.
Occasional Deep Cleaning
Give your cycling jersey a complete deep clean after every few wears. In this way, you can remove bad odour and accumulated sweat. Mix mild detergent with cold water and soak your cycling attire for 15-30 minutes. After, wash it as usual.
Tips for preserving the colour and quality of a cycling jersey
The key to preserving the colour and quality of your cycling jerseys is to wash them promptly after use. Sweat can damage your clothing material and also cause colour fading. Try to wash with the best detergent for cycling clothes and remove sweat accumulation as soon as possible. You must also avoid soaking your jerseys for a prolonged time, as it can cause colours to fade and bleed. You can soak your outfit for 15-30 minutes only if it has stubborn stains. Otherwise, it's best to avoid soaking clothes.
Once you have washed and air-dried your clothes, store them properly in a cool, dry place. One thing you must keep in mind is that direct sunlight can also damage the colour and quality of clothes. So, avoid hanging or storing in direct sunlight. To maintain the jersey's shape and prevent creases, hang it in shady areas.
Storage methods for cycling jerseys
There are several cycling gear storage ideas. Here, we will discuss the practical and helpful one. Once your cycling jersey is thoroughly dried and clean, store it in the cycling gear organiser. Hanging jerseys are easy to maintain and have no creases. Now fold them gently and neatly to avoid sharp creases.
Now store your cycling gear in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity. One of the best ways to organise cycling kits is that avoid cramming them into tight spaces. If you do so, it can lead to deformities and wrinkles in the fabric. You can also store your jersey in a breathable garment bag if possible. This will protect cycling attire from moisture and dust.
When to Replace
You can replace your old jersey with a new one in case you notice any significant wear and tear. If your cycling apparel has tears, holes, or excessive pilling, you must replace it. Change your older jersey if you are facing performance or fit issues. If the moisture-wicking properties of jersey are compromised, colours have faded, or it's comfortable to wear, buy a new one for yourself.