After every bike ride, you know it well: your cycling jersey and your cycling shorts They don't emerge unscathed. Between sweat, rain, mud, and dust, this equipment takes a beating. With a little care and the right techniques, you can extend its lifespan and maintain its performance. Proper maintenance ensures a cycling equipment that's reliable and won't let you down mid-ride. Here are a few simple tips to maintain your cycling clothing !

Washing your cycling jersey: how often?

First important point: after each ride, avoid leaving your cycling jersey or bib shorts crumpled up at the bottom of your bag. Not only can this lead to unpleasant odors, but it also accelerates wear and tear on the fabric. However, this doesn't mean you should wash them after every ride. If you've only ridden 30 km and haven't really sweated, it's not essential to wash your cycling jersey or bib shorts. A simple rinse with clean water will be enough to remove sweat and residue. If your clothes are more heavily soiled, washing is necessary, but be careful, there are a few rules to follow to preserve the quality and durability of your cycling gear.

Temperature and program for the care of cycling shorts and jersey

At Matchy, sustainability is a major priority. Extending the lifespan of your cycling clothing is essential to minimizing environmental impact, which is why we recommend hand washing for all our products. If you still prefer to use the washing machine, here are a few recommendations: opt for a delicate cycle at 30°C. Avoid intensive or high-temperature wash programs, as these can damage the fabrics. And above all, forget fabric softener! Although it may seem counterintuitive, fabric softener coats the fibers and prevents the fabric from breathing properly, which reduces the performance of your cycling shorts and your cycling jersey, and therefore, your cycling comfort.

To protect your cycling clothes from friction with other, rougher fabrics, turn them inside out and place them in a mesh laundry bag. Remember to close all zippers to ensure they function properly and to prevent damage to other garments.

Natural drying to preserve the performance of cycling clothing

Drying is another essential point. Absolutely avoid the tumble dryer, which can damage the fabrics and ruin the chamois pad on your cycling shorts. A high spin cycle is also not recommended, as it can stretch the fibers and distort your cycling clothing. Air drying is best. Hang your cycling jerseys and cycling base layer Hang them on a hanger or lay them flat, but always in the shade. Direct sunlight can alter the color of the fabrics and weaken the fibers. For your cycling shorts, lay them flat to avoid distorting the straps!

The Eco-Score: adopt the right habits for sustainable equipment!

Protecting your cycling clothes requires a little attention. By taking care of your cycling jersey and bib shorts, you prevent premature wear. After each ride, a quick maintenance check helps preserve the performance and lifespan of your gear.By adopting these simple habits, you can be sure to enjoy your cycling clothes for a long time, with optimal comfort and performance!

At Matchy, we apply this principle of longevity to all our products. That's why we've implemented an Eco-Score to assess the environmental impact of our items. We already mentioned it in our article to help you... understanding the Eco-Score, as well as the one on theimpact on the Eco-Score that you can achieve by making more responsible choices. Just like with the maintenance of your equipment, every little bit helps to preserve both your gear and the planet!