How To Hand Wash Your Cycling Kit

[@gcn]

Let us know your kit cleaning tips below 👇

[@1989srjones]

Global Cycling Network could you do a maintenance Monday video on how to remove bolts / screws when the head has been rounded off. Asking for a mate...

[@GaryTurbo]

I turn it inside out and throw it in a washing machine

[@Victor-hz9jm]

you forgot to tel you have to wash you're clothing with water that is below 30 degrees. otherwise it will shrink!!

[@NAP-wj3oi]

The hairdryer on low helps dry out your kit place shoes against wall standing on heel set hairdryer on floor on low

[@robmtb6404]

Remember not to use any kind of soap on anything waterproof. If you do it enough your £150 lightweight jacket will end up about as waterproof as a towel

[@channeljmc8819]

this is a great video just what I needed, being a student in halls, use of the washing machines isn't cheap. So being able to do this in my room will make life so much easier and I can use my favourite kit more often

[@TurneyUK]

Cyclingmadjason you don't need to wash cycling kit on a washing machine. Generally it just needs a rinse out. kit fabric is light so can be damaged by a longer wash. If it is dirty I just use a short cycle at low temp, you want to keep it fresh but not loose shape or colour

[@ariecamhi5758]

My dad teached me how to wash "delicate" wool sweaters almost with the same method of the towel. With your barefoot you should step on the towel moving side to side instead of twisting it (it could damage the clothes by enlarging it). It works as well with your cycling kit 👌👌👌

[@Schmorglebot]

2:00 Risky move

[@lisapet160]

How many cuts they made I'm wondering :) Will we see another one on GCN New Year Party video?

[@Dparrey]

I definitely held my breathe a little...

[@nocommentate9017]

i dont get it

[@Dparrey]

NoCommentate you are pure of heart.

[@nocommentate9017]

oh the bend over joke, i thought the joke was that it's dangerous for his knees or going to pull a muscle, something like it's bad for him.

[@michaelobrien2190]

Another option for washing, especially for 2-3 kits, is to get a large zip-lock bag, add water, some gentle detergent, and your kit(s). Shake well, empty, rinse the kit(s), and you're good to go.

[@marcderveeuw]

Hi Matt, Tx for the clip. I often use the hairdryer or blowdryer in the hotelrooms to dry socks, underwear and jerseys.If not in the room, just ask for one.Towel trick was great. Cheers

[@keithgordon702]

After every ride, I set my shoes on the floor with the foot openings facing sideways. This allows the normal air drafts and currents that travel along the floor (from people walking by, from doors opening and closing, etc.) to circulate through the shoes during the night...even the wettest shows are usually completely dry by morning.

[@ShermanSitter]

That's a great tip! ...i had some sneakers (for my commuter / rain bicycle) and they took 3 days to dry!!! not sure these ideas will work, but i'll try the newspaper next time. any other ideas? i know they are not made for cycling so they are understandably more difficult to dry. I thought my neoprene booties would've kept more water off that day, i think i didn't tuck in the rain pants correctly and the socks were too exposed.

[@Schmorglebot]

Love the British Champion stripes Matt!

[@loopie007]

Love the stripes! Hanging to dry is good, but don't put them in a closet, there is not enough air flow. When putting your shoes outside to dry, make sure they are in the shade, and don't put them near the ground where a dog or cat may use them as a toy or a place to use the toilet. A towel on the table with the shoes up against the wall is better, or hook the shoes up through a clothes hanger so they get lots of air. You also get a custom mobile! All you friends will be jealous!

[@Gribbo9999]

Where I live, if you put your shoes outside you will find all the moisture will miraculously disappear while you are not looking and also clip-in pedals with bare feet is a horrible experience.

[@jal492]

Where I live, if you put your shoes outside you will find your shoes will miraculously disappear while you are not looking.

[@beculauitataprinsecarbunea3624]

jal492 Same here :))

[@ColinRubbert]

And here I thought I was the clever one who thought up the great way of quickly drying my kit by rolling it in a towel. You sir, have busted my cozy little bubble. Great video thought, solid kit hacks!

[@zzgo-8472]

I use bags of dessicated gel beads in my shoes after a ride to absorb the moisture quickly. I found some hockey puck sized ones and they work great.

[@ferrymaniom]

Just followed Matt’s take on into the shower and towel rolling technique. Works a treat, especially if you have a warm, sunny balcony to finish the job. I have bought way too much kit away with me ☹️

[@Gribbo9999]

If you are in a hot and humid place and the room has AC try to hang your kit up high in the room - but *not* in the cold blast from the AC outlet as that just chills it so much it doesn't dry so quickly. If no AC then do put it in the draft from the fan. You can buy solid or paste clothes washing detergent in most places . Put some of this in a Ziplock bag - that way you have some proper detergent to wash your kit - better than shower gel. You only need a small amount for say a week's touring and, not being liquid and already in a sealed bag, it won't leak into your pannier. It's also good for hand cleaning after a mechanical but better use a bit of hand cream afterwards. The towel tip is great - I'll be trying that one. Thanks! As for washing kit in a team bus? I find washing it in a washing machine much more effective.

[@davepratt9909]

I step on the rolled towel, I find it works better than twisting it. Just make sure you leave a clean towel for your wife. Take the wet paper out out of the shoes before you go to bed (after 4-6 hours) and either replace the paper or let them air dry. I keep them in the room vice outdoors since the morning dew / humidity delays the drying. The heater on cold nights or A/C on hot nights tends to lower the humidity in the room below that of the early hours. Also, many shoes have an air vent in the sole, near the toe, have this pointed down so the shoe can drain.

[@evangelistbricescott7182]

I get my 1st kit this Christmas

[@LucianDobre]

Most useful GCN video ever! Even though people say the towel trick is risky, all you need to do is not twist it! Easy! :D

[@HannahCreely]

washed all of my bike kits with this method and it works a treat!! Thanks heaps

[@Zeptinn]

This could not have been better timed!!! I am going to start studying soon and won't have access to a washing machine like I do now.

[@epexlinux]

Just did this. Worked a treat

[@CharlieBennici]

Lovely place you stayed at! Nice view from the window.

[@flourcitybread2898]

I thought we were actually going to see Matt's tip when he got on the floor to roll up the towel.

[@JMcLeodKC711]

Towel trick is awesome

[@briancartoscelli8029]

thanks GCN!

[@jamieparkinson9338]

Awesome product! !! Highly recommend! !!!

[@bastiaanschietecatte4187]

Hotel Melodia del Bosco! I was there for the MDD2016. Very good hotel for cyclists!

[@folkerst]

Last year i was in Corvara and had some wet days :-( We did stay in a very nice hotel (Villa Tony) and the bathroom was equiped with a hairdryer! I used it to dry my shoes very quickly. Be carefull to not let the leather get to hot, as it might get cracked.

[@ayrtonoc]

GCN always welcome in Italy! Great tips indeed.

[@Sttuey]

For drying shoes I've used the hair dryer often hanging on the wall in hotel bathrooms. The only tip I would recommend is not to leave the bath taps running when doing your washing at the same time, as the noise from the hair dryer drowns out the sound of running water. That is, until you notice a river snaking its way out of the bathroom, along the floor and out of the room into the corridor. Best to avoid that.

[@markcavandish1295]

That Bathroom is Beautiful!

[@6Mephisto666]

I absolutely love this channel.

[@philg6757]

MMM a Matt shower scene,what a great start to the day.

[@neilmdon]

I was going to add the drying tip but you had it in already. My only difference is that instead of twisting the towel I just walk along it like a balance beam.

[@jal492]

Like Matt's custom GCN jersey with National Champs colours - very cool :) Wear it with pride, my man!

[@markalfresco]

I also use the rooms hair dryer to dry/ warm up the cham and shoes, not too much heat and if it's raining and can't hang up out side ask hotel for a electric fan, it drys kit really fast! I only take the one kit so I am becoming an expert.

[@kathr2773]

I see you went for the Junior Suite at the Melodia Del Bosco - nice! filming with glass and mirrors can be a nightmare for reflections. Good job Matt wore underpants in the shower!

[@nicknamesareoveratedisme7300]

Dripak make Liquid Soap Flakes, available from supermarkets here in U.K. Decant some before you travel and invest in a large travel towel. You get less chance of irritation from unscented pure soap, it's better for your kit and the travel towel absorbs more moisture but dries quickly. You might not have the luxury of plentiful plush towels or a hotel. I managed a fortnight with no washing machine , hand washing clothes and squishing water out with towels.

[@cyclejockey4397]

Always enjoy the tips guys !

[@twindoom]

thx for this video. I was searching info about it and I found here

[@Mindblower008]

Pure gold!

[@mramazingtroy]

You should take a small bottle of clothes liquid as it usually gentler on your clothes. Another tip for drying shoes is to use either newborns nappy or a sanitary pad.

[@gblan]

Knitters use a product named Eucalan. It's a non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphate free soap that requires no rinse. Various scents. Carry a small bottle of that and you're golden.

[@0Gotland4Ever0]

Thank you! I used to wash my clothes in the bathroom sink with detergent. Now I'll just jump into the shower straight away like you did :)

[@yeti575lt]

At home I have a machine called "ecofrog" that injects ozone into the water and is connected to the washing machine and let me clean the clothes without using soap. Also I can have water straight from the machine to wash by hand. Is amazing how well it works. I tryed it with my bike and all the grit from the chain just melts!!! So I don't need any degreaser...

[@taurus20077]

Who wants to bet Matt went commando in that bathrobe?

[@samhamfast]

Great tips. Thanks!

[@mihpop9733]

At home in England or Netherlands = Jet Wash kit, fill with newspaper On holiday in Spain = hand wash and hang to dry- good to go in an hour XD

[@frentz7]

Hey, two questions (and thank you! this is really helpful, great video). One, is this something I can do every week? (would it damage the kit if I wash it this way too much?). And two, is it possible to squeeze or twist my stuff too much, so that it stretches or damages the fabric (or wears out faster)? .. and sorry if those are dumb questions. And again thank you for the great video!

[@kornisonkiseli3248]

I wash quite often. Warm or cold water. I wouldn't twist it even tho it's synthetic. When you wash it simply tightly squeeze out water. Then put in towel as shown and instead of twisting you can stand or kneel on the towel and it will absorb all that water.

[@hawkmantm465]

Ahhhhh 'man-time' with Matt Stevens, oh that gown! 😍 #mancrush

[@nickadams8952]

great tips, thanks

[@joeldawson4159]

those are still the nicest shoes ever

[@EmilyFowler]

This felt like an episode of Art Attack haha love it.

[@jamesszeplaki8456]

With the news paper. Change the paper inside your shoes after about 30 mins as the news paper has normal absorbed lots of water by then and needs changing.

[@ng3004]

really useful tips!

[@erickbotzotz]

good stuff..... thanx

[@mickleman52]

Mine is after washing. and winging them as dry as you can, hanging them in front of a fan. In about 3 or 4 hours it is completely dry.

[@Geeraffe]

It is possible to sneak your bike into the shower also - this would take priority over the kit & don't forget to soap your helmet.

[@kylebrown4293]

anything under a 50 mile Ride and I just clean my stuff like this anyway. last longer and I can customize the cleaning to the areas that need it

[@neilbrackstone1819]

As a lot of modern hotels have hair dryers I have used them to dry out damp shoes before using the newspaper hack, I was worried when you knelt down we might see something we shouldn't thank god we didn't

[@shavonpeacock7967]

To more effectively dry your shoes, replace the wadded up newspaper with a fresh batch after a couple of hours.

[@JS-tb9hu]

Lots of kit has labels that say do not wring or squeeze? What do you do then?

[@johanlopik]

Most of THE hotels have à hair dryer very helpful for your shoes. ;-)

[@simonerouart9383]

The bibshort CAN be dry by the same way as the jersey ? (With the toe on the floor)

[@federicospada1703]

Nice one!

[@Ellissg]

I live at university, and the only washing machines to which we have access are expensive and very large capacity, probably too big to wash some kit in. For this reason, I hand wash my kit but I can never get my bibs as clean as when I wash them at home in a washing machine. Should I let them soak for a while when hand washing, or will they just not be as clean?

[@MVProfits]

I too like the towel roll trick! Do you do that for the bib shorts too? Oh, and what about washing the shoes? Maybe not on the road but 2-3x times a year?

[@Rqoiz]

I always bring a bunch of wet wipes for babies to clean everything with. They don't have any strong chemicals in them since you know, they are for babies.

[@capitalcity1658]

What resort is that? Looks very nice. Maybe me and my family may visit.

[@bastiaanschietecatte4187]

Hotel Melodia del Bosco (Alta Badia). Very nice and clean hotel for cyclists.

[@ramsesm]

Question: I was under the impression that we are better off by not twisting the fabric, opting instead by pressing with our hands when squeezing the water out... it prevents the elastic nature of the fabric to overstretch... (read that somewhere on the ASSOS site).

[@brunobraganca5982]

mith or not, i don't twist my kit.. i leave it to dry naturally, of course brazilian weather helps a lot, a single night is enough for it to dry completely

[@ramsesm]

I don't either, I squeeze it firmly with my hands and then hang them... I doubled checked and it is on their literature - don't twist them as it adds extra stress on the elastic material... squeeze them when washing by hand 💦

[@cojventures7911]

Thanks very helpfull

[@ineffableness]

I think the manufactures tell you not to wring your kit as it can reduce its life.

[@alanwaterworth6464]

this is fine when you´re staying in a nice hotel with nice fluffy towels and bathrobe; but try doing this when you´re camping in a field in the rain somewhere :D

[@Phantom0309]

What about a video on how to put your shoes on, im not sure what shoe goes on what foot ?

[@aittcontent]

Does it have to be cycling kit or any normal clothes that ride in

[@charlesdostale508]

Don't put your shoes in the oven to dry. Even just on top of a heat vent is not recommended. Well ventilated but not hot air.

[@martinsutoob]

Only half way there with the shoes. The newspaper will soak up water but if you leave it in the shoe that water can go nowhere. So replace with dry paper after 10 minutes. Repeat and repeat. Then they'll dry on their own overnight.

[@31.8mm]

my shoes when it wet, it's stink even when it's dry, so i try to spread some amount of anti bacterial powder which smell good and give it a good shake, it's makes the inside of my shoes became white but when i use it the powder just gradually gone and it's doesnt as stink as before

[@aurelius3988]

I'm curious to know if you can use rice to dry your kit

[@Wyzbowski]

Genius !!

[@trikki69]

What is his microphone attached to inside his dressing gown?

[@louisbenmax9697]

Assos care instructions are Uber cautious. Yet Matt is ringing, soaking, and soaping his knicks and jersey thoroughly

[@werdna1969]

Tantalizing.

[@1986euanwalker]

was anyone else worried about Matt letting us see more than jst the quick drying technique when he knelt down?

[@paulkent8749]

Assos says 'not' to ring your gear and also to let it dry on the line out of sunlight.

[@TheMonkini]

I walk in the shower wearing the kit

[@brandywell44]

I would be careful of wringing clothes by hand as the stitching can be stretched and broken if you're not too careful. Better to squeeze them tightly starting at the top and finishing at the bottom as you hold them. Spin dryer obviously is best choice if you have access to one.

[@mikkoheiska2109]

A plastic bag will do as a washing container as well. :)

[@leedorney]

I knew the shoes one but not the jersey manouvre... ;)

[@joostdemoor138]

I'm often jealous of the kit you guys have at your disposal, but those red shoes...

[@mass1023]

Matt teaching 'how to be a pro on a budget'

[@TGRacing]

Do you twist the towel clockwise or anti-clockwise Matt ?

[@leedorney]

Depends on if youre above or below the equator ;)

[@Gribbo9999]

jersey clockwise , shorts anticlockwise ( opposite in northern hemisphere).

[@Matthew-ez4ze]

This is my California hot-summer routine. I wear it all into the shower, sans the heart monitor.

[@nocommentate9017]

What are you up at the dolomites for? #torqueback

[@OnEvenKeel]

What about sweaty stinky helmets? Gloves?

[@hornetluca]

I think the question we all are wondering is...did Matt take the hotel bathrobe home?

[@panzerveps]

#torqueback Did he?

[@NielsHeldens]

hornetluca Matt being Matt, he even took the pillows, that bottle of shower gel that you get, the bathtub, the shower and the carpet home.

[@PaganiZondaF650hp]

nah, he has a big collection of Hugh Heffner style robes he uses all day back home...

[@qahtaniM]

For all, you can use the hair dryer (with having the heat on/Disable heater). Blow air through your stuff (jersey or shoes specially). It will dry much much faster.

[@lesleybaffoni1242]

I have mud on mine... Cannot get it out at all...

[@RagnexCMD]

How about bicycle helmet ?

[@combatLaCarie]

I do the roll up drying thing, but then I walk on it instead of twisting it.

[@s__ne]

Can I use shampoo?

[@TonyRamos68]

Or take more than 1 kit on your training camp.. So the wet and dirty one can dry more than one day.. 😉

[@archiej6386]

next video on how to wash your arse, also great tip to take out the insoles to dry separately

[@NielsHeldens]

Archie j. In cooperation with Pornhub(tip: Leah Gotti and Mia Malkova).

[@lisapet160]

Si had an episode explaining on unwritten rule not to double dip BUTTR chamois creme when a friend had landed you some :)

[@archiej6386]

themrtimmyboy you re right we can figure it out ourselves - it would be a waste of a video