Your favorite cycling jersey and bib shorts do more than complete your riding look. Their technical fabrics help move sweat away from your skin, stretch with your body, and keep you comfortable throughout the ride.
However, sweat, body oil, road dust, sunscreen, and mud can build up in the fabric after every ride. Washing your cycling clothes the wrong way may also damage their elasticity, color, prints, and moisture-wicking performance.
So, do you really know how to wash your cycling clothes?
The good news is that proper cycling clothing care is not complicated. In most cases, you only need cold water, a gentle wash cycle, a small amount of mild detergent, and a little extra care.
The Best Way to Wash Cycling Clothes
As a general rule, wash your cycling clothes soon after every ride. Before washing, empty the pockets, close all zippers and fasteners, and turn the garments inside out.
Use cold or lukewarm water no warmer than 30°C / 85°F. If you use a washing machine, select a gentle cycle with a low spin setting. Use only a small amount of mild detergent and avoid fabric softener or bleach.
After washing, hang or lay your cycling clothes flat to air-dry. For most cycling clothing, high heat is much more harmful than air drying.
These basic steps work for most cycling jerseys, bib shorts, base layers, socks, and lightweight cycling accessories. However, you should always check the care label first because some garments may require special treatment.
1. Wash Your Kit After Every Ride
Cycling clothes sit close to your skin and absorb sweat during a ride. Bib shorts and base layers are especially likely to hold moisture and body oil.
Leaving sweaty cycling clothing in a laundry basket, backpack, or plastic bag gives odor-causing bacteria more time to grow. It can also make stains and smells more difficult to remove later.
Try to wash your cycling kit as soon as possible after riding. If you cannot wash it immediately, hang each garment in a ventilated area and allow it to dry. Do not leave damp clothing in a pile.
It is also best not to wear the same unwashed bib shorts for another ride. Starting every ride with a clean kit is better for comfort, hygiene, and odor control.
2. Always Read the Care Label First
Not every piece of cycling clothing should be treated in exactly the same way.
A lightweight summer jersey may have different washing instructions from a wool base layer, waterproof cycling jacket, or garment with a water-repellent finish. The care label tells you the safest water temperature, washing method, and drying method for that particular item.
Even if you already know the basic washing rules, take a moment to check the label before cleaning a new garment.
When the instructions on the label are different from general advice, always follow the label.
3. Prepare Your Clothes Before Washing
A few simple steps before washing can help prevent unnecessary damage.
First, check every pocket. Energy gels, snack wrappers, tissues, keys, and other small items can create a mess or damage the fabric.
Next, close all zippers. An open zipper can catch on delicate fabric, while the zipper teeth may rub against other garments during the wash.
You should also close all hook-and-loop fasteners on gloves, jackets, and other cycling accessories. Exposed hooks can pull threads, damage mesh panels, and leave marks on jerseys or bib shorts.
Finally, turn jerseys and bib shorts inside out. This helps clean the areas that collect the most sweat while protecting exterior prints, logos, and colors from friction.
4. Hand Wash or Machine Wash?
Both methods can work, depending on the garment and its care label.
Hand Washing
Hand washing is a gentle choice for delicate cycling clothing, detailed prints, reflective elements, wool items, or garments with special finishes.
Fill a clean basin with cold or lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent. Gently move the clothes through the water and pay extra attention to sweaty or dirty areas.
Rinse thoroughly until the water runs clear. Do not aggressively rub, twist, or wring the garment because this may stretch or damage the fibers.
Machine Washing
Modern washing machines are generally safe for most cycling clothing when used correctly.
Choose a delicate or sportswear cycle with cold water and a low spin setting. A mesh laundry bag can provide extra protection for bib straps, mesh panels, and other delicate areas.
Avoid overfilling the machine. Your clothes need enough space to move and rinse properly.
5. Use Cold Water and a Gentle Cycle
Hot water is one of the biggest risks to cycling clothing.
High temperatures can weaken elastic fibers, damage silicone grippers, fade colors, and affect the shape of jerseys and bib shorts. They may also reduce the performance of some technical fabrics.
For most cycling clothing, use cold water or water no warmer than 30°C / 85°F.
When machine washing, select a gentle cycle and low spin speed. Strong spinning and heavy agitation create more friction, which can wear down delicate fabric over time.
Cold washing also uses less energy, making it a better choice for both your clothing and your household energy use.
6. Choose the Right Detergent
You do not always need an expensive sports detergent. A small amount of mild liquid detergent is usually enough, provided the product is suitable for delicate or technical fabrics.
Using more detergent does not necessarily make cycling clothing cleaner. Too much detergent can be difficult to rinse out and may leave residue in the fabric.
Avoid the following products:
- Bleach
- Fabric softener
- Dryer sheets
- Strongly scented detergent
- Harsh stain removers
- Detergents containing aggressive chemicals
Fabric softener works by leaving a coating on the fabric. This residue may trap odors and affect the breathability and moisture-wicking performance of technical materials.
If detergent remains after washing, use an extra rinse cycle instead of adding another cleaning product.
7. Wash Cycling Clothes With Similar Items
Cycling jerseys and bib shorts are usually made from lightweight, stretchy materials. Washing them with heavy or rough items can cause unnecessary friction.
Whenever possible, wash your cycling kit with other lightweight sports clothing of similar colors.
Avoid washing cycling clothing with:
- Jeans
- Heavy jackets
- Towels
- Clothing with exposed hooks
- Items with sharp decorations
- Very dirty everyday clothing
Light and dark colors should also be separated to reduce the risk of color transfer.
If your cycling clothes are covered in mud after a wet ride, rinse away loose dirt before putting them in the washing machine. This prevents mud and grit from rubbing against the fabric.
8. Treat Stains Carefully
Mud, road spray, food, and chain grease are easier to remove when treated early.
Rinse the stained area with cold water and apply a small amount of mild detergent. Allow it to sit briefly before gently working on the stain with your fingers.
Do not scrub technical fabric with a stiff brush. Aggressive rubbing may damage the surface and spread the stain.
Avoid using bleach or very strong stain removers unless the garment’s care label clearly permits them.
For a difficult grease stain, repeat the gentle treatment instead of immediately using a harsh chemical product.
9. Air-Dry Whenever Possible
Air drying is the safest option for most cycling clothing.
After washing, gently remove excess water without twisting the garment. Hang jerseys and base layers in a ventilated area. Bib shorts and wool items can be laid flat to help them maintain their shape.
Keep cycling clothes away from radiators, heaters, and long periods of direct sunlight. Strong heat can weaken elastic fibers, fade colors, and damage printed details.
Avoid using a tumble dryer unless the care label specifically allows it. If drying by machine is permitted, use the lowest possible heat setting.
Some waterproof garments with a durable water-repellent finish may have special drying instructions. In that case, follow the garment label carefully.
10. Store Cycling Clothing Properly
Make sure your cycling clothes are completely dry before putting them away. Storing damp garments in a drawer, closet, or sealed bag may cause unpleasant odors or mildew.
Keep them in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated place. Avoid pressing padded bib shorts too tightly for long periods because this may affect the shape of the pad.
You should also avoid ironing cycling clothing. Most technical fabrics do not need ironing, and the heat may damage synthetic fibers, logos, membranes, and elastic sections.
Cycling Clothing Care: DO and DON’T
| DO | DON’T |
|---|---|
| Check the care label before washing | Assume every cycling garment has the same instructions |
| Wash cycling clothes after every ride | Wear the same unwashed kit again |
| Hang sweaty clothes if you cannot wash them immediately | Leave damp clothing in a bag or laundry pile |
| Empty all pockets before washing | Leave gels, tissues, keys, or snacks in the pockets |
| Close zippers and hook-and-loop fasteners | Leave fasteners open where they can catch the fabric |
| Turn jerseys and bib shorts inside out | Wash printed surfaces without extra protection |
| Use cold or lukewarm water up to 30°C / 85°F | Use hot water |
| Choose a gentle cycle and low spin setting | Use a heavy or high-speed wash cycle |
| Use a small amount of mild detergent | Use too much detergent |
| Wash with lightweight items of similar colors | Wash with jeans, towels, or rough clothing |
| Use a mesh laundry bag for delicate garments | Let bib straps or mesh panels become tangled |
| Pre-rinse muddy cycling clothing | Put heavily muddy clothing directly into the washer |
| Rinse thoroughly to remove detergent | Leave detergent residue in the fabric |
| Air-dry in a ventilated, shaded area | Use high dryer heat or place clothes on a radiator |
| Follow special instructions for wool and waterproof items | Treat every fabric exactly the same way |
| Store clothing only when it is completely dry | Store damp cycling clothing |
| Keep technical fabrics away from direct heat | Iron cycling clothing at a high temperature |
Final Thoughts
Taking care of cycling clothing does not require complicated products or a long washing routine. The most important steps are simple: wash your kit soon after riding, use cold water, choose a gentle cycle, avoid harsh laundry products, and let everything air-dry.
These habits help cycling jerseys, bib shorts, and other technical garments keep their shape, color, comfort, and performance for longer.
Your cycling kit works hard on every ride. Give it the right care, and it will be ready to support you for many more miles.