How Do You Wash Your Cycling Clothes?

[EPOJoe]

I used to typically just throw everything into a gentle cycle in the washing machine with some Tide and then tumble dry on low heat, but I noticed my casquettes were taking a beating, and colors on jerseys would fade after around a year of use. Once I started hand washing my caps, I noticed they seemed to last dramatically longer, staying in much better condition, so I'm wondering if I shouldn't start hand washing everything. What do you folks do?

[AngryScientist]

Hand wash cycle and hang dry all cycling kit.

[Wolfman]

I do what I call "special treats"... cold water cycle and air dry everything on some serious wood racks.

I do clamp my hats in a plastic pants hanger, though... keeps the brims flat.

[Louis]

Gentle cycle, cold water, cold water Tide and OxiClean for the stink, 30 minute soak after some agitation, line dry.

[bayarea5077]

Gentle cycle in garmet bags so nothing snags, cold water, hang dry.

[fredd]

Regular cycle, garment bags, cold water, sports detergent (nathan’s), hang dry.

[kppolich]

Tap cold, delicate, tide free detergent, hang dry or air fluff with towels.

[CAAD]

Delicate cycle, warm water (cold water doesn't clean off chamos cream completely)Tide pod, tumble dry on the lowest heat setting.

[bigbill]

Wash with the darks in cold, throw in the dryer, and put away. I have some Hincapie shorts that are 20+ years old. When I first started seriously riding in the late 80s, I would handwash and hang to dry, then I started putting my shorts and jerseys in with the rest of the laundry and noticed no difference.

[flying]

hand wash my wife & I kit in kitchen sink as soon as we get home from ride.
Spin then hang dry

[Jdm]

The most important thing is to hang dry and not use the dryer.

I use a clothes rack to hang clothes that need to be washed and to dry wet clothes after they’ve been washed.

[bironi]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Hand wash cycle and hang dry all cycling kit.

That's the best way to go.
I do quite a bit in the washer on delicate with no odor Ecos Free and Clear.
I hang the kit on drying racks.
And repeat the process.
How many kits and how comfortable you are with the wash intervals is personal.

Don't get in the slip stream of a rider wearing synthetics without a laundry plan.

[Talrand]

I throw it in with the rest of my clothes: 40*C, full power spin and hang to dry. Nothing is falling apart but I don't have any delicate, high end kit.

[Duvivr6]

I wash with regular clothing, cold water and throw in the dryer.

Nothing noted on items to make me stop.

[biker72]

Delicate cycle. Hang dry.