Proper washing of your jersey: How to do it

If there is one thing that differentiates jerseys from the rest of the clothes we wear in our daily lives, it is undoubtedly the technicality and technology of the fabrics they use.

Cycling clothes are designed to be worn during physical activity. Therefore, they have properties that we do not want to lose, such as the ability to expel sweat or water, to be breathable, to be lightweight and elastic, among others. This makes their fabrics and fibres different from conventional clothing. These parts are generally much more sensitive and vulnerable, especially to changes in temperature or exposure to certain bacteria, among other things.

Take care of the garment, extend its life

If we want our cycling clothing to last a long time and, more importantly, to do this whilst also maintaining its technical properties, we must avoid exposing them to conditions that deteriorate their fabrics as much as possible.

Washing is one of those potentially harmful situations to which, in addition, we subject our sports clothing on many occasions, since their use implies that they have to withstand our sweat, humidity, mud, grease stains, remains of energy bars, gels, etc.

What you should bear in mind

At Deporvillage we want to give you some practical advice so that you don’t damage your cycling jersey more than necessary every time you wash it. We are going to give you some simple tips that you should apply if you want to keep it for several seasons and what is more important, keep it with its properties such as elasticity or perspiration intact.

1. Check the label
Although it may seem obvious, the main recommendations for washing your jersey are summarised on the label. By means of universal symbolism you will have the main practical and valuable information.

2. Empty your pockets
Another detail that may seem obvious, but that we often forget, is that the back pockets of the jersey are usually the place where we keep a gel, the remains of a bar we have eaten, but also it could be a metal adapter for the inner tube valve or a multipurpose key. Objects that, if washed together with the jersey, can damage your fabrics, even breaking them in the case of stronger pieces such as tools.
Always check the pockets and make sure they are empty before putting the garment in the washing machine.

3. Remove stains before putting in the washing machine
Riding a bike can cause your jersey to become stained with mud or grease, for example. In that case, it is important to eliminate those substances as soon as possible. Do it before even washing in the washing machine. The reason for this is to prevent these residues from soaking into the fabric, which would make it even more difficult to remove them. Scrub the toughest stains with neutral soap and warm water before putting the jersey in the washing machine.

4. Prevent sweat from remaining for days
Sometimes, after wearing a jersey we leave it aside and forgotten about for days in the laundry basket, until we remember to wash it. Although jerseys of a certain quality already have anti-bacterial treatment, it is not recommended that sweat, which contains an infinite number of bacteria, remains in contact with the tissues for so many hours. For this reason, it is important that, before washing the garment in the washing machine, we carry out a light wash, gently rubbing it with a specific soap for technical clothes, to eliminate the sweat in case we are not going to put the garment immediately in the washing machine.

5. Take care with the water temperature
As we have already mentioned, with exposure to sudden changes in temperature or when these are very high, the synthetic fabrics of a jersey lose their properties and end up being damaged. To avoid this, the washing machine should be set to a water temperature that is never higher than 30ºC,
If we use high temperatures, we run the risk of the garment shrinking and losing the elasticity that provides so much comfort when we are on the move.

6. Close the zippers
Any zippers that a jersey may contain, such as those in the pockets or on the front of the chest, must remain closed during washing. This will prevent the metal parts of the zipper inside the washing machine from damaging or tearing the garment.

7. Hang the jersey up inside out
When you’re ready to hang up the jersey, do it by hanging it inside out. You will avoid direct exposure to the sun and in many cases a high temperature that will make the garment lose elasticity and, above all, the tone of its colours.

8. Do not spin or tumble dry
The most careful and least damaging way to dry our jersey is to stretch it. Using the sun and air. Avoid spinning or the use of dryers, which in addition to moving and hitting the garment violently, generate sudden temperature changes inside and make the fabrics less elastic and fragile.

9. Uses a specially formulated soap or chemical for technical fabrics
The detergent we use to wash these clothes is very important. As we have already said, jerseys are pieces of clothing with very specific properties that we must take good care of if we want them to remain in the best possible condition for a long time. Therefore, we recommend using soaps specifically formulated for the care of technical fabrics such as breathability, waterproofing or elasticity.

10. Avoid using fabric softeners
The use of fabric softeners deteriorates synthetic and technical fabrics such as cycling jerseys more quickly. Although they may be regulars in doing laundry
conventional at home, it is not recommended to use fabric softeners when your washing machine contains cycling clothes.

11. Do not iron the jersey
Even if you’re a garment maniac with perfect looks and presence, get the idea of ironing your jersey out of your head. The high temperatures and their direct application on fabrics would burn them in an instant, in addition to destroying elements adhered to the garment such as reflective panels or logos.