How to take care of your cycling clothing

Given how much money a riding outfit costs, it’s important to consider how to care for it so that it lasts as long as possible while still performing as well as possible. To make sure you get the most out of your clothing, avoid these five common mistakes.

Using fabric softeners

Why? The most common response is that it will ruin the cloth, which is not quite accurate. To be more exact, the fabric conditioner is made up of wax and other chemicals that coat the fabric to make it feel soft but also block the “pores” that allow moisture to pass through, making the garment more likely to smell foul.

As for the detergent, use any detergent; it doesn’t matter what kind you use. However, you shouldn’t use too much because laundry detergent is highly concentrated. What one drop of soap can accomplish will astonish you. The amount recommended is frequently overstated on detergent bottles’ measuring caps and instructions.

Washing with too much spin

Your washing machine’s sport cycle, which has a slower spin speed and a shorter cycle time, is more than sufficient to clean your gear. Since all cycling clothing is constructed of thin, moisture-wicking materials, spinning at a slower speed will need less energy and prolong the life of the fabric.

Not washing your cycling clothing

After your bike, leaving your kit in sweat causes two major issues. The elastane fibers, which are present in every piece of your equipment, from your socks to your chamois, will begin to break down as a result of your perspiration. In a sweaty laundry basket, bacteria from your kit will multiply. Simply clean your kit with some new water and hang it outside to let it air out if you don’t want to run an empty cycle.

Washing your gloves with your kit

Cycling gloves and other accessories with Velcro pucker a jersey and damage the waterproof fabric coating. Velcro puckering can be avoided by washing the items separately or storing them in a white laundry bag. Lightweight and performance textiles should be handled gently, so avoid washing them with bulky objects like backpacks.

Putting your kit in the tumble dryer

The fabric will be ruined by the tumble dryer. The elastic, as well as any glue or rubber, will be harmed and broken by the heat. Tactic grippers are made of rubber, which will separate in the tumble dryer. Furthermore, the tumble dryer’s intense heat will harm materials with DWR and waterproof coatings. Your equipment should always be allowed to air dry; just be careful not to hang it in the sun.

Other advice include:

• Do not leave used clothes in a closed bag without air access (plastic bag, sports bag, etc.)
• Turn clothes inside out before putting them in the washing machine
• Zipped all zippers on clothes before inserting them into the washing machine
• Wash in cold water

Tips for caring for clothes are shared with us by the Spanish cycling clothing brand  TACTIC, especially known for its cycling bibs. Do you already know cycling clothing from TACTIC?

Will you share with us your tips on taking care of your sports set?