The Ultimate Guide to Cycling Apparel Care

You’ve finally done it. You invested in a high-quality pair of bib shorts with a chamois that feels like sitting on a cloud. Your jersey is perfectly aero, wicks sweat like a dream, and has pockets for all your essentials. This is performance apparel, a technical investment designed to make your rides better.

But after a few washes, you notice something horrifying. The fabric is starting to feel a little less compressive. The leg grippers have lost their bite. Is that… pilling? And worst of all, a faint, funky odor lingers, even when the kit is clean.

Welcome to the most overlooked aspect of cycling: proper kit care.

High-performance cycling apparel is delicate. The advanced Lycra, elastane, and polyester blends that give it that second-skin fit are susceptible to damage from heat, friction, and harsh chemicals. The good news? With a few simple habits, you can dramatically extend the life of your expensive gear, keeping it looking, feeling, and performing like new for years, not months.

This is your ultimate cycling apparel care guide. Consider it the owner’s manual your kit never came with.

The Golden Rules of Washing

The battle for your kit’s longevity is won or lost in the laundry room. Sweat, road grime, and bacteria are the natural enemies of technical fabrics. Leaving them to fester will degrade the elastic fibers and create permanent odors.

Wash After Every Single Ride

This is non-negotiable. It doesn’t matter if it was a short 30-minute spin on the trainer or a cool-weather ride where you barely broke a sweat. Your body still produces oils and bacteria that immediately begin to break down the fabric’s delicate elastane fibers. The chamois, in particular, is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to saddle sores and other unpleasant infections.

Pro Tip: Don’t just throw your sweaty kit in a hamper to marinate for days. If you can’t wash it immediately, at least hang it up to air-dry completely. This prevents mildew and stops the worst of the bacterial growth.

Choose Your Method: Hand Wash vs. Machine Wash

Hand washing is the safest method, but let’s be realistic—most of us don’t have the time. Fortunately, machine washing is perfectly fine if you follow a strict protocol.

The Gold Standard (Hand Washing): Fill a sink with cool water, add a small amount of gentle detergent, and let your kit soak for 30 minutes. Gently agitate and scrub any soiled areas, then rinse thoroughly with cool water. Squeeze out excess water gently—never twist or wring the fabric.

The Real-World Standard (Machine Washing): This is where attention to detail is critical.

• Zip all zippers and turn garments inside out to protect the outer surface and logos.
• Use a mesh laundry bag. This is the single most important step. It prevents your kit from getting snagged, stretched, or tangled.
• Wash with like items only. Never wash your kit with jeans, towels, or anything with Velcro.
• Use the delicate or hand wash cycle with cold water (30°C / 86°F or lower).

The Right Detergent (and What to Avoid)

The cleaning agent you use is just as important as the method.

DO Use: Sports-specific detergents (like Assos Active Wear Cleanser or Nikwax BaseWash) or gentle, “Free & Clear” liquid detergents.

DO NOT Use:

• Fabric Softener: This is Kit Killer No.1. It clogs the pores of technical fabrics, destroying their ability to wick moisture and ruining the grip of silicone leg bands.
• Bleach: It will destroy both the color and the fibers.
• Powdered Detergents: They can fail to dissolve in cold water, leaving a residue that irritates the skin.

The Art of Drying and Storing

You’ve successfully washed your kit. Don’t ruin it in the final step.

Never, Ever Use a Tumble Dryer

This is Kit Killer No.2.

The high heat of a machine dryer will literally cook the elastic fibers, making them brittle and inelastic. Your bib shorts will lose their compression and fit, and the chamois can deform. One cycle in the dryer can inflict more damage than 50 correct wash cycles.

How to Air-Dry Properly:

• Hang your kit immediately after washing.
• Avoid direct, harsh sunlight, as UV rays can fade colors and degrade fabric over time. A well-ventilated indoor space or a shady spot outside is perfect.
• Hang jerseys on a hanger.
• For bib shorts, hang them from the leg cuffs using clips or drape them over a line from the middle. Do not hang them by the delicate shoulder straps, as the weight of the wet chamois can stretch them out over time.

Fold and Store with Care

Once dry, don’t just stuff your kit into a drawer. A proper fold protects the chamois and prevents creases.

How to Fold a Jersey:

• Lay it flat, face down.
• Fold the sleeves in, then fold the sides in towards the center.
• Finally, fold it in half or thirds from the bottom up.

How to Fold Bib Shorts

• Lay the bibs flat, chamois side down.

• Fold the legs up and over the chamois.

• Fold the bib straps down over the legs.

• Finally, fold the entire bundle in half. This creates a neat, compact square that protects the chamois from being crushed.

Storage: Store your kit in a drawer or on a shelf, away from anything with sharp edges or Velcro.

Troubleshooting and Common Problems

Help! My kit is starting to pill!

Pilling (the formation of tiny fabric balls) is caused by friction. The primary culprit is often something rubbing against the fabric during a ride—like a saddlebag with Velcro straps or the rough underside of a saddle. Unfortunately, pilling is irreversible. The solution is prevention: ensure all straps are secured and only wash kit with other soft, synthetic items.

My kit still smells funky.

This is usually due to bacteria buildup. If a standard wash isn’t cutting it, try this deep-clean method: before washing, soak the kit for an hour in a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts cold water. The vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. Then, wash as normal.

I crashed and ripped my jersey

For minor rips and tears, many high-end brands (like Rapha and Assos) offer a free or low-cost repair service. It’s always worth checking their website. For smaller holes, a simple needle and thread can prevent them from getting worse.

Conclusion: A Clean Kit is a Fast Kit

Caring for your cycling apparel isn’t a chore; it’s a ritual that respects the gear and the sport. It ensures that every time you pull on your kit, it feels and performs exactly as the designers intended. By following these simple guidelines, you’re not just washing clothes—you’re maintaining high-performance equipment.