Let's be honest. You'd rather be out chasing sunrises than stuck at the sink. Good news: looking after your Cycology kit is simple, quick, and about as eco-friendly as laundry gets. Get a few basics right and your favourite jersey keeps its colour, its fit, and its go-fast feel for years.
The 60-second version
In a hurry? Here's the whole guide in one breath:
Turn it inside out, zip everything up, and wash it cold (max 30°C / 86°F) on a gentle cycle with a small amount of mild detergent. Skip the bleach, fabric softener, and dryer, then hang it to air dry in the shade. That's genuinely 90% of it.
Want your gear to go the distance? Read on for the finer points.
Before you wash: three quick habits
Read the label (and don't cut it off just yet). Care details vary between styles and fabrics, so keep the label in until you've memorised it. We know the urge to snip it for comfort is real, so just give it a ride or two first.
Had fun in the mud? Don't let it dry on. The longer road grime, dirt, or mud sits on your kit, the better its chances of staining for good. Rinse it off fast, under a tap or a hose while you're still wearing it (we won't judge), before it hits the wash.
Zip all the zips. Open zips have sharp little teeth that snag and chew through delicate fabric. Close them up and they'll behave.
The golden rules: cold wash, air dry
Technical cycling fabrics are clever but sensitive. Treat them gently and they'll return the favour.
- Wash cold, wash inside out. Cold water (max 30°C) protects the print and the stretch. Inside out keeps colours vivid and helps prevent pilling. A wash bag adds a layer of armour if you've got one.
- Go easy on detergent. A small amount of gentle, mild detergent (or a dedicated wool wash) is perfect. Harsh detergents, soakers, and stain removers break down the fibres and elastane, and strip away the wicking, water-repellent, and anti-bacterial treatments that make the kit perform.
- No bleach, no fabric softener. They'll quietly destroy everything that makes your gear technical.
- Keep bad company out of the machine. Denim and Velcro are basically sandpaper for your kit and cause pilling. Fluffy towels and anything cotton shed lint that clings to technical fabric. Wash your kit with its own kind.
- Air dry in the shade. These fabrics are moisture-wicking, so they dry fast on the line. Shade matters, because direct sun fades colours. Never tumble dry: the heat melts and breaks the elastane fibres, so your kit loses its form-fitting stretch.
Machine wash or hand wash?
Machine washable pieces: inside out, in a wash bag, gentle cold cycle, mild detergent, with similar colours to protect the print and finish.
Hand washing: wash separately in cold water with a mild detergent, then rinse in clean cold water. Air dry in the shade.
The freshness trick for whiffy kit
Kit a little hard on the nose after a big effort? Skip the extra detergent. Hand wash it with a splash of white wine vinegar mixed with warm water. It neutralises the odour-causing bacteria without harming the fabric. Rinse thoroughly and air dry in the shade. Your future self (and your riding buddies) will thank you.
Caring for the specialists
Some pieces like a little extra love:
- Bib shorts & knicks: line dry in the shade, inside out, with the chamois side facing out so it airs properly.
- Base layers: pop them in a wash bag for a cold gentle cycle. If one snags, a couple of quick stitches keeps the fabric intact.
- Gloves: turn them inside out to protect the print and close the Velcro before washing. Hand wash or use a cold gentle cycle, go easy on the spin (high RPMs stress the seams), then hang or lay flat to dry.
- Bright colours: wash cold, by hand or with similar shades on a short cycle, and keep them away from other fabrics while wet so nothing bleeds.
Drying and storing done right
Always make sure your kit is completely dry before it goes away, because damp storage invites odour and mildew. Keep it somewhere dry and well-ventilated.
Can't wash straight after a ride? Whatever you do, don't ball it up in the laundry basket. Turn it inside out and hang it to air, especially if it's damp. It keeps bacteria from setting up camp until wash day rolls around.
Your quick-reference checklist
- Close all zips, buttons, and Velcro.
- Turn the garment inside out.
- Use a wash bag if you've got one.
- Cold wash, gentle cycle (max 30°C / 86°F), similar colours.
- Small amount of mild detergent only.
- No bleach, stain removers, or fabric softeners.
- Air dry in the shade, no tumble drying.
- Make sure it's bone dry before storing.
- Store somewhere dry and well-ventilated.
- When in doubt, follow the label.
Look after your kit and it looks after you, holding its fit, colour, and performance ride after ride. Now go get those clothes dirty again. That's what they're for.
Ready to add something new to the laundry rotation? Explore the Cycology collection and find your next favourite kit.