Cycling jerseys are an investment. A high-quality jersey can run upwards of $100 or more. You want to protect that investment by caring for your jerseys properly.
The good news is that with some simple best practices for washing, drying, and storing your cycling jerseys, they can last for many years of hard training and racing. We’ll share the secrets the pros use to make their jerseys last.
During our “cycling jersey sale” you can stock up on high-performance jerseys for less. But you’ll want to make them last, which is where proper care comes in.
Read on to learn how to wash, dry, and store your cycling jerseys so they maintain their technical properties and last season after season.
Washing Your Cycling Jerseys
Washing cycling jerseys properly is the foundation of making them last. Here are some key tips:
1. Read the care label
The care instructions on the label are your guide for washing. Follow them closely. Pay attention to temperature, cycle type, and any warnings.
2. Wash in cold water
Wash cycling jerseys in cold water even if the label says warm water is okay. The cooler temp is gentler on technical fabrics and dyes.
3. Use a gentle detergent
Skip the regular laundry detergent and use a sensitive skin or technical/athletic detergent. Detergents with brighteners or bleach can degrade fabrics.
4. Zip up the jersey
Zip up cycling jerseys before washing to avoid snags and keep fabrics aligned. Turn them inside out too.
5. Use a delicates bag
Place jerseys in a mesh delicates bag for washing. This prevents pilling from friction and keeps zippers/Velcro from snagging.
6. Avoid fabric softener
Don’t use fabric softener on cycling jerseys. It can inhibit moisture wicking and make technical fabrics less breathable.
Follow these tips and your jerseys will come out of the wash looking like new every time.
Drying Your Cycling Jerseys
To maintain the performance and longevity of your cycling jerseys, follow these expert drying methods:
1. Line dry
Line drying is the best way to dry cycling jerseys without exposing them to damage from heat. Hang them inside out.
2. Lay flat to dry
If line drying isn’t possible, lay jerseys flat on a drying rack or towel. This prevents stretching from hanging.
3. No heat drying
Avoid drying cycling jerseys in the dryer, even on low heat. The heat degrades technical fabrics.
4. Use a fan
Point a fan on drying jerseys to speed up drying indoors without applying direct heat.
5. Iron inside out on low
If needed, give jerseys a cool iron inside out. Use the low-temperature setting to avoid fabric damage.
When in doubt, err on the side of air drying. Your jerseys will maintain their high-tech properties better without heat.
Storing Your Cycling Jerseys
Once dry, use these storage methods to keep cycling jerseys in good condition between rides:
1. Fold loosely
Instead of hanging, fold jerseys loosely. This helps the technical fabrics regain their shape.
2. Use cedar
Store folded jerseys in a cedar closet or place cedar blocks/hangers in your jersey drawer. Cedar repels moths.
3. Refold different ways
Change how you fold the jersey each time to avoid permanent creases setting in the fabric.
4. Prevent stretching
Avoid letting jerseys hang for storage. Gravity stretches out the fabrics over time.
5. Store inside out
Turn jerseys inside out before folding up for storage. This better preserves the outer fabric’s technical properties.
Follow these care and storage practices to ensure your cycling jerseys maintain their high-performance and comfort for many seasons before needing to be replaced. Investing a little extra care will save you money in the long run.
Conclusion
With high-quality cycling jerseys representing a significant investment in your cycling performance and comfort, proper care is essential to maximize their lifespan.
By washing in cold water, line drying, avoiding heat drying, and storing folded inside out, you’ll add years of life onto your favorite jerseys. They’ll continue wicking moisture, regulating temperature, and providing aerodynamic efficiency just like when they were new.For the best deals on high-performance cycling jerseys, be sure to shop our cycling jersey sale. Then care for your new jerseys using these tips to get the most out of your investment. With some extra TLC, your cycling kit will last season after season.
