Care Guide For Your Cycling Kit
As the Tour de France 2026 came to an end, we've been thinking about how cycling clothes and gear can make all the difference during a ride. They make sure amazing athletes like the five time winner Pogačar stay comfortable, protected and in control through every ride. And they need the same amount of care right back, as they also easily accumulate dirt, sweat, and unpleasant odors that wear down their materials over time.
Proper maintenance of your cycling apparel is crucial to prolong its lifespan, so it can go the distance with you through many more challenges. We're bringing you the route map to care for your cycling clothing, from bib shorts, to waterproof jackets, cycling gloves and cycling shoes.
How to clean cycling accessories
How to wash cycling apparel
What most cyclists don't know is that standard laundry detergents contain harsh chemicals that can damage technical fabrics and water-repellent coatings in your kit, breaking down the materials designed for your best ride or race, and forcing you to replace expensive items after just a few washes.
Our Sportswear Wash detergent, with a water-based, non-toxic formula, is specifically designed for activewear. It cleans fibers from the inside out, removing stubborn dirt, stains, and odors on your cycling kit without damaging its technical materials. You're safe to use it on any fabric, from cotton, polyester and nylon to spandex and viscose, making it the best solution for every piece of your cycling kit, from bib pants and maillots to thermals and base layers, jerseys, socks, neck warmers, cycling caps and even rain jackets.
Washing Cycling Clothes: Step-by-Step
1. PREP
Turn your garments inside out and secure zips, straps, or velcro before tossing it into the washing machine.
2. DOSE
Turn the bottle of Sportswear Wash upside down with the lid closed, wait until the 25ml chamber is full, then turn it right side up. The perfect amount of solution will pour out when you open the lid, and the rest will stay down.
1. WASH
Clean the dispensers of your washing machine first. Pour the Sportswear Wash into the main dispenser and choose a gentle, cold cycle.
If you're washing waterproof cycling gear like your rain jacket, adding Water Repellent Wash into the fabric softener dispenser works perfectly to reactivate its protective properties. Learn more on How To Restore The DWR On Your Gear to reproof your water-repellent garments.
1. DRY
Air or tumble dry, and you’re all set.
Disclaimer: Always check individual garment care labels for specific instructions.
How to clean cycling accessories
Your cycling accessories can always be trickier to know how to care for. Our advice is that you don't need to deep clean your entire kit every outing. Your bike helmet, gloves and outer layers (like jackets) don't usually get too dirty or sweaty and don't need washing after every use, just a quick reset.
A spray of our Refresher is the best way to keep your cycling gear fresh without unnecessarily wasting water or wearing down their technical fabric. Just lay your garments flat and spray them keeping a 20 cm (8 in) distance. Let them air dry out of direct sunlight for 20 minutes and they're ready to use again.
Of course, we couldn't forget your trusted cycling glasses. Nothing kills performance like glasses that won't stay clear. So taking our DFNS Cleaning & Defogging Kit on every ride will help you keep your eyewear clean and prevent foggy glasses. If you want the details, here's an in-depth care guide on how to clean cycling glasses and how to stop them from fogging up: The Right Way to Keep Your Glasses Clean.
How to clean cycling shoes
We want you to keep your performance, from head to toe. And cycling shoes are not especially cheap. So taking care of their materials means keeping them for longer, ready for the long ride ahead. Our Footwear Cleaning Kit has everything you need to keep your cycling shoes in top condition. Here are 4 simple steps that'll change your post-ride routine:
1. PREP
Use the dry brush to remove loose dirt on the surface and cleats.
2. SCRUB
Dip the brush in lukewarm water to wet the bristles and apply a generous amount of the cleaner to it. Then scrub firmly but carefully in a circular motion to foam the solution.
1. WIPE
Use the microfiber cloth to wipe away the foam and scrub again as needed.
1. DRY
Finally, let your football cleats air-dry for 24 hours out of direct sunlight and you’ll be good to go on your next ride.
Why Choose DFNS?
We're committed to guiding you so you can keep your favorite footwear, apparel and gear in play for longer, without compromising on quality or sustainability. That's the foundation of how we design our solutions to fit every athlete's lifestyle. If you want more care tips or to know more about how to use our care products, here's our full playbook of tutorials to keep your gear in play for longer:
