1. Why Good Care Matters
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Technical knits wick up to 1.8 L of moisture per hour—but only if the pores stay unclogged.
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Recycled fibres (like those in our jerseys and Cargo Base Layer) degrade faster when exposed to harsh heat or softeners.
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Proper wash cycles can add 30–40 extra ride-days to a technical garment’s life, keeping dollars in your pocket and reducing our carbon footprint.
2. Post-Ride First Aid (Within the First Hour After the Mud Fest)
|
Step |
Action |
Why |
|---|---|---|
|
Shake & scrape |
While mud is still damp, flex the fabric and gently tap it against a hard surface. |
Loosens surface clods so fewer particles reach the washer. |
|
Cold pre-rinse |
Hose or shower-spray the inside-out jersey for 30 s. Use medium pressure—jet blasts can stretch seams. |
Removes up to 70 % of grit before detergent even touches the fibres. |
|
Bag it |
If you can’t wash it today, store the damp kit in a breathable mesh or paper bag—never plastic. |
Mud trapped in sealed plastic breeds odour-causing bacteria within 4 h. |
3. The Wash Routine
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Turn garments inside out and do not put with other garments with zips or Velcro pockets.
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Machine: front-loader or gentle top-loader, cold water (30 °C max), delicate cycle.
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Detergent: fragrance-free, enzyme-based sports wash (2–3 tbsp). Avoid bleach, optical brighteners and especially fabric softener—it coats the fabrics wicking yarns.
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Extras:
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Heavy-soil soak? Add ½ cup baking soda to the drum.
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Lingering odour? A 15-minute pre-soak in 1 part white vinegar : 4 parts cold water to neutralise bacteria.
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Optional microfibre trap: Place in a wash-bag, before placing in the washing machine to protect the recycled yarns.
4. Spot-Treating Stubborn Stains
|
Stain Type |
DIY Solution |
Application |
|---|---|---|
|
Red clay / iron-rich dirt |
Make a paste: 1 tsp eco dish soap + 1 tsp baking soda + splash of cold water. |
Brush gently with a soft toothbrush; let sit 10 min before main wash. |
|
Grease from chain lube |
Dab with citrus-based bike-degreaser on a cotton bud; rinse thoroughly. |
Test on an inconspicuous area first. |
|
Organic spills (energy gels, coffee) |
Enzyme stain stick (protein-based) or diluted bio-laundry detergent. |
Work into fibres, wait 5 min, rinse. |
5. Drying & Post-Wash Care
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Air-dry only. Lay flat on a rack or hang by the hem out of direct sun. Dryers / Tumble Dryers can shrink elastane by up to 10%.
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Gently Reshape pockets on the Cargo Base Layer while damp so they stay flush.
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No irons. If wrinkles matter, use a garment steamer on low 10 cm away from fabric.
6. Long-Term Storage Tips
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Store jerseys folded, not on wire hangers—gravity stretches technical knits.
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Slip a silica gel packet into your gear drawer to combat humidity.
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Off-season? Launder, dry completely, then place in a breathable cotton bag to keep dust off the fabric surface.
7. Five Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Using fabric softener—blocks wicking channels in the fabric.
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Hot water or tumble drying—breaks down elastane and recycled PET fibres.
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Bleaching mud stains—weakens colourfastness and seam strength.
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Soaking in detergent for hours—pH imbalance degrades antimicrobial treatments.
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Stuffing gear in a closed plastic bag overnight—encourages mould growth.
8. Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
|
Do |
Don’t |
|---|---|
|
Cold pre-rinse within 30 - 60 min |
Let mud cake for days |
|
Use a mild, enzyme sports wash |
Use standard powder or softener |
|
Air-dry in shade |
Tumble-dry on high heat |
|
Inside-out wash cycles |
Wash with garments that have zips and Velcro |
|
Microfibre wash bag |
Overload the machine |
(Save or screenshot this table for your workshop wall.)
9. Ready for the Next Ride
Consistent care keeps colours vibrant, seams intact and wicking performance at its peak. Follow this routine and the same jersey that just ploughed through a mud bath will look (and smell) trail-ready tomorrow.
Got a fabric-care question we missed? Drop it in the comments beneath our “Mud-Proof Your Jersey” reel or email contact@rubbersidedown.com.au. We’ll update this guide with new tips from the community.
Explore the Range
If your current kit has already seen better days, check out our latest technical jerseys and the best-selling Cargo Base Layer—engineered for durability and easier post-ride clean-ups. Shop the collection.