Coming back home from a ride is exhausting yet satisfying. It awakens your mind and body, but it definitely makes you feel the need to strip out your cycling clothes and have a good shower. The last thing you want to do is wash your cycling clothes after the ride. However, cycling clothes are quite expensive so you have the obligation to give it special care and attention.
You do not want to ruin such pricey investment, hence here is a guide on how to wash your cycling clothes.
Wash separately.
Do not wash the cycling clothes along with other clothes. The color, finish, and material of the cycling clothes can be damaged easily when washed with cotton clothes. Moreover, your cycling clothes are filled with sweat, bacteria, and soil from your cycling activity.
Use washer or handwash, but never dry clean.
You can have your cycling clothes washed from laundry delivery services, but never dry clean. Dry cleaning is solely harmful to cycling clothes. But if you are planning to wash your cycling clothes at home, it is better to handwash them. It allows you to rub off the sweat stains from the seams and crevices of the cycling clothes.
Always use cold water.
Cycling clothes should not be washed in warm water. It can make them lose properties or shrink. Since when you wash your cycling clothes use cold water.
Do multiple rinse.
Give your cycling clothes multiple rinses. It may be much work for you but it is quite beneficial for its fabrics. Detergent buildup is common in cycling clothes. Hence, giving it an abundant rinse helps in leaving no trace of detergent on the clothes.
Use gentle liquid detergent.
Cycling clothes have to be washed with gentle liquid detergent. Using the standard detergents may affect the flexibility and durability of the cycling clothes. Moreover, use only half the recommended amount of detergent. Detergents may have residue buildup on the fabrics of the cycling clothes resulting in them having odors.
Do not use bleach or fabric conditioners.
Bleach and fabric conditioners may form a coating on your clothes that makes them lose its flexibility and durability. More so, bleach destroys the fibers of your cycling clothes.
Air dry.
It is a disadvantage to throw your cycling clothes inside the dryer, the heat from the dryer ruins its material. Hence, air drying them is the best option, but do not place it under direct sunlight. If you happen to have your cycling clothes washed at the laundry service, let them know the special instructions.
Do not iron.
Fabrics of cycling clothes do not generate wrinkles. But, if wrinkles may appear, do not iron them. The wrinkles may disappear, but the excessive heat ruins the fabric. It will not have the same performance.
If you cannot wash your clothes immediately, do not throw them into the hamper with your other clothes. It will damp and make your other clothes have molds. Instead, soak them in a cold water and do it in a few hours.
