How to Wash Cycling Clothes: Tips for Keeping Your Kit Clean

You just bought a cycling outfit worth $300-$400, including a jersey, bibs, socks, and a cap. To ensure they last longer, you need to protect your gear.  Unwashed cycling gear sitting around in your laundry basket can form bacteria on it especially the chamois on your bib shorts.  That bacteria can get onto your skin causing skin fungus and saddle sores, keeping you off of the bike.

As dads we only have so much time to get out on the bike, don’t let not washing your cycling clothes properly be one of those barriers.  

These are Dads Riding Bikes top tips on how to wash cycling clothes:

Wash your cycling kit ASAP

It’s important to wash your cycling clothes as soon as possible, even if you don’t follow anything else on this list. After your ride, take a shower and then collect your gear and toss it in the wash. Don’t let it sit for days without cleaning it.

Get a mesh laundry bag

Mesh Cycling Clothes Washer Bag

I got these on Amazon; they’re affordable and do the trick. A laundry bag comes in handy when washing clothes with your regular load, preventing them from getting tangled with other items. It also safeguards bibs from wrapping around the washer agitator. Plus, using a bag makes it easier to keep your gear separate from the rest of the laundry to avoid mistakenly drying it.

Prep your cycling clothes 

How to wash cycling clothes - Prep Clothes

To ensure good detergent contact, it’s best to turn your bibs inside out. Don’t forget to zip up your jerseys too! The zipper teeth can get caught on other items in the washer or even on your own jersey and bibs, causing small tears or snags.

Use basic laundry detergent

Stay away from any hard chemicals like bleach.  All you need is the same laundry detergent you use for all your clothes.  Dads Riding Bikes likes to stick to free and clear products due to our sensitive skin.

Wash on Cold and Extra Rinse

All the cycling clothes I have all say to wash on cold.  Cycling clothes are made of synthetic materials like spandex or polyester. High temperatures can weaken the fibers, leading to reduced durability and longevity of your gear.  Stick to the cold setting!

An extra rinse ensures all the detergent is off of your gear so that it doesn’t irritate your skin.  Don’t forget to set the extra rinse!

Hang to Dry

How to wash cycling clothes - Hang Dry

When it comes to cycling clothes, they are usually made from technical fabrics that are specifically designed to wick moisture away from your body, offer breathability, and provide a comfortable fit. However, it’s important to note that exposing these fabrics to high heat from a dryer can cause damage, which can ultimately lead to reduced performance and longevity. To preserve the integrity of the fabric, it’s best to opt for hang drying instead, as this prevents exposure to excessive heat.


Drop a comment below and let us know what your favorite tips are for keeping your cycling kit clean.

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