Cycling kit isn’t regular clothing. It’s technical gear. Designed to perform under pressure, move with your body, and hold up across long rides, hard efforts, and tough conditions. But it only keeps performing if you treat it right.
Washing your cycling kit properly will help it last longer, stay fresh, and maintain the fit, color, and performance you paid for in the first place.
Here’s how to do it right.
1. Wash your kit immediately after every ride
Sweat, salt, sunscreen, and road grime are abrasive. Leaving your bib shorts or jersey balled up after a ride breaks down the fabric faster than you think. Rinse it right after your ride or get it into a cold wash. Sooner is better.
2. Always wash cycling kit in cold water
Hot water destroys stretch, degrades the chamois, and weakens bonded seams. Use cold water at 30ºC or less on a gentle cycle. Stick to mild detergent. No bleach. No softeners.
3. Use a laundry bag to protect performance fabrics
Zippers, Velcro, and heavier fabrics can easily damage delicate kit. Use a mesh laundry bag to protect your gear from abrasion. Zip up jerseys before washing. Keep like with like.
4. Never tumble dry your cycling kit
Heat breaks down materials and kills elasticity. Air dry your kit in the shade. Indoors is fine too. Just give everything room to breathe. Direct sun fades color and weakens fabric. Tumble dryers ruin good gear.
5. Don’t iron. Don’t dry clean. Don’t bleach.
Cycling apparel is built from technical performance fabrics. Heat and harsh chemicals only do damage. Keep it simple and cold.
6. Wash jerseys and bib shorts separately from heavy gear
Keep your best kit away from socks, gloves, and anything muddy or oily. Jerseys, bibs, and base layers should go through the wash together and nothing else. The less abuse they take, the longer they last.
7. Rotate your kit
If you're riding more than once a week, have more than one kit in rotation. This gives bib shorts time to fully dry and lets the chamois bounce back. It also helps maintain compression and comfort. Need a second pair? The All Day Cargo Bib Shorts or Race Cargo Bibs are both built for high mileage and frequent wash cycles.
8. Spot clean stains early
Chain grease, sunscreen, or gel stains should be cleaned as soon as possible. Rinse with cold water and use a bit of mild soap. The quicker you act, the better the result.
Cycling kit care matters
If you’re pulling on the Ultra+ Climbers Jersey or your go-to base layer, it deserves proper care. Cold wash, air dry, and protect your investment.
Your kit puts in the work on the road. Treat it right when the ride ends.
Explore the latest cycling jerseys, bib shorts, and base layers built to perform ride after ride and wash after wash.
FAQ: Washing and Caring for Your Cycling Kit
How should I wash my cycling jersey or bib shorts?
Cold water. Gentle cycle. Mild detergent. Always. Wash your kit right after a ride if you can—sweat, sunscreen, and grime wear down fabrics fast. Hot water is the enemy of stretch and structure, so stick to 30ºC or below.
Can I tumble dry my cycling kit?
Definitely not. Tumble dryers wreck elasticity, fade colours, and break down technical fabrics. Air dry everything—ideally indoors or in the shade. Hang it up, give it space, and let it breathe.
Do I need to separate my cycling kit from other clothes?
Yes. Jerseys and bibs should be washed separately from things like socks, gloves, or anything rough or muddy. And always zip your jerseys up and throw everything in a laundry bag if you’ve got one. The less your kit rubs against other stuff, the longer it’ll last.
How do I get rid of chain grease or sunscreen stains?
Act fast. Rinse with cold water, then spot clean using a little mild soap. Don’t scrub hard—just be gentle and patient. The sooner you tackle the stain, the better your chances.
How often should I wash my cycling gear?
After every ride. Even if it doesn’t look dirty, sweat and bacteria break down the material. Bib shorts especially need regular washing to keep the chamois clean and functional. No shortcuts here—your kit (and your skin) will thank you.