Washing, waterproofing and caring for cycling clothing: Care tips for rain jackets & co.
Armin Herb
· 15.12.2021
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The road bike or gravel bike has to work, regular checks and maintenance go without saying: Check the air, oil the chain, check the brakes, adjust the gears. But what about our sportswear? Putting sweaty jerseys, vests and cycling shorts in the washing machine after every ride and washing them at 30 degrees is (hopefully) a standard ritual for every cyclist.
The procedure for weatherproof clothing is not quite so clear-cut, especially as various jackets, jerseys and trousers with membranes and impregnations need to be treated differently. "Good care not only maintains long-lasting functionality, but also increases the service life of the clothing, thereby protecting your wallet and the environment. These are all reasons to take a closer look at the correct care of products," says Chris Eisenmann, expert for clothing technologies at the manufacturer Gore.
This is exactly what we do on the following pages. We show you which items of clothing can be washed, waterproofed and repaired and name service providers for everything you can't or don't want to do yourself. With this wealth of tips, your functional cycling clothing should survive countless cycling seasons in one piece.
This is what care symbols on labels mean:
- The tub stands for the washing programme, the number in it for the maximum washing temperature. Functional textiles are usually washed at 30 or a maximum of 40 degrees. One line under the tub means: wash gently and spin at a maximum of 600 revolutions per minute; two lines: wash very gently without spinning.
- The triangle means bleach. In the case of functional textiles, it is usually crossed out, which means: Do not bleach.
- The square with a circle stands for the drying suitability. If the square is crossed out, the textile should not be tumble dried. A dot inside the circle means drying only at low temperatures up to 60 degrees.
- If the iron is crossed out, you should refrain from ironing; functional textiles often have a dot on the iron. This means particularly gentle ironing at a maximum of 110 degrees.
- The circle stands for dry cleaning, which is usually excluded for functional textiles.
- A twisted piece of fabric means wringing. It is rarely found and is usually crossed out on functional textiles.
How to wash cycling clothing properly's
How often a wash is necessary depends on how often we wear an item of clothing and how dirty it is - and also on the type of membrane. For example, if you use your wind or rain jacket intensively or even daily, you can wash it once a week. Before putting functional textiles in the washing machine, you should take a look at the care label, as not every laminate can cope with everything.
Manufacturers of microporous membranes (e.g. Gore-Tex, eVent etc.) point out that sweat, salt crystals, dirt and skin oils can impair the breathability and durability of bonded seams and the membrane. They therefore recommend regular washing of clothing. The manufacturers of non-porous membranes (e.g. Sympatex, Dermizax) emphasise that their membranes cannot become clogged and therefore retain their function regardless of how often they are washed.
Proper care of cycling clothing
- Fully close all zips, cover strips, Velcro fasteners and straps before washing.
- Follow the instructions on the care label
- Washing machine: low load, set gentle cycle at 30 degrees (some modern washing machines have a special programme for outdoor textiles).
- Use as little liquid mild detergent as possible or special detergents for functional clothing. The amount depends on the soiling and the water hardness.
- Do not use heavy-duty detergent with brighteners or bleach! Fabric softener is also taboo as it damages the impregnation!
- Do not spin (or only at very low speed).
- Some manufacturers recommend tumble drying as this reactivates the impregnation. Low temperatures and short drying times (approx. 20 minutes) are important.
- Ironing also reactivates the impregnation. However, the ironing temperature should not exceed 110 degrees (1 point/level 1). To be on the safe side, place a thin cotton cloth (e.g. tea towel) on the functional fabric.
- Dry cleaning is possible for some textiles, but not necessary.
That means...
...water column:
It indicates the water pressure that the outer material of a rain jacket, for example, can withstand before it becomes permeable. This means that the higher the value in millimetres, the more waterproof the material is. A water column of 1,000 millimetres corresponds roughly to a pressure of 0.1 bar. The significance of the water column is often somewhat overrated, as there are various standards, measuring procedures and test methods for determining it. It also depends very much on how a rain jacket is made and how tight the seams and zips are.
...waterproof:
According to EU guidelines, a fabric is considered waterproof from a water column of 800 millimetres. In Germany, a material is considered waterproof from 1,300 millimetres, in Switzerland only from 4,000 millimetres. In the outdoor sector, a water column of 10,000 millimetres has established itself as the standard for rain jackets for cycling and hiking, and 15,000 millimetres for rain trousers that allow you to kneel or sit on wet ground. For tours with a heavy rucksack and other demanding conditions, hardshell jackets with a water column of 20,000 millimetres offer the necessary reserves.
...water-repellent:
Water-repellent means that in light rain, water beads up on the surface of the jacket or trousers and does not penetrate inside. In heavier rain, however, you have to expect to get wet at some point.
Special case: Gore-Tex Shakedry
The single-layer, particularly thin and lightweight weather protection membrane from Gore is somewhat more sensitive than others, partly because it has neither a lining nor an outer fabric. Textiles made from this material must therefore not be dry-cleaned, tumble-dried or ironed! However, Gore-Tex Shakedry does not require waterproofing due to its technology.
Reading tip
All the important information on the correct, gentle care of functional clothing etc. can be found on 60 pages in "Washing time - A care guide for your outdoor equipment" (also as PDF) for 7,95 Euro at www.bergzeit.de
Properly waterproofing cycling rain jackets:
Many people are familiar with this: the rain jacket feels wet and clammy, as if it is leaking. But in most cases, this is not the case - unless the jacket has a hole or a leaky seam. The unpleasant wet feeling occurs when the waterproofing applied to the outside, and therefore the so-called DWR (Durable Water Repellency), no longer works properly, water no longer beads off and the outer fabric absorbs moisture. This also impairs breathability and water vapour condenses on the inside of the garment, making it feel clammy. Impregnations make the surfaces of rain and functional clothing water and dirt repellent. There is a simple test to check whether it works: Simply spray water onto the material from a spray bottle. If the water runs off, the waterproofing is still intact. If the fabric becomes saturated, it's time for a follow-up treatment.
The original impregnation can be reactivated with the help of heat
1. tumble dry for 20 to 30 minutes on a gentle cycle at a maximum of 60 degrees or
2. with the iron at low heat and with an intermediate layer of cotton or
3. with a hairdryer from a few centimetres away.
Incidentally, it is not only rain jackets and trousers (hardshell) that are generally treated by manufacturers to make them water-repellent, but also softshell jackets and jerseys. According to the manufacturers of materials such as Gore-Tex Windstopper, Assos Schloss-Tex or Polartec Powershield Pro, the waterproofing can withstand many washes. However, the waterproofing should be reactivated or re-impregnated at some point.
Spray or detergent?
Waterproofing sprays are only used on the outside of the garments. One advantage of this is that you can treat specific areas such as seams, cuffs or shoulders. Soaking agents, on the other hand, are used like conventional detergents and wet the entire textile. However, not all membranes tolerate soaking. For non-porous PU membranes, such as Dermizax or Sympatex HigH2Out laminates, pre-wash products should be avoided as they can impair the function.
How it works with waterproofing spray
- Look out for products without PFCs, propellants and solvents, e.g. Nikwax TX direct or Fibertec Textile Guard Eco
- Clothing should be washed before spraying
- Close zips
- Only spray in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors
- Avoid inhalation of the spray and contact with eyes and skin
- Spray from a distance of 20 to 30 centimetres
- Wash your hands after spraying
- Dry impregnated clothing on a clothes hanger or lying flat in the open air
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How wash-in impregnation works
- Follow the care instructions for the impregnating agent
- Remove detergent residues from the detergent compartment of the washing machine
- Load the washing drum with a maximum of 2 kilos of laundry (two to three items of clothing)
- Unless otherwise stated, select the synthetic or delicate wash cycle at 30 degrees
- Spin at low revolutions or do without it altogether
- Allow impregnated clothing to dry in the open air
If you can't or don't want to waterproof functional clothing yourself, you can also use a professional waterproofing service. Such services, which are usually completed within a few working days, are offered by companies such as
Gore-Tex
The impregnation is carried out by the washing and impregnation specialist Meyer und Kuhl. It costs between 17.95 and 22.95 euros, depending on the garment. www.goretex.online-impraegnierung.de / Meyer und Kuhl also impregnates for Gonso, Maier Sports and Vaude, among others.
Globetrotter
The outdoor retailer offers waterproofing at around 20 locations. www.globetrotter.de/ueber-globetrotter/nachhaltigkeit
Jack Wolfskin
The impregnation voucher costs 24.95 euros. www.jack-wolfskin.de/impraegnieren/
Repairing your rain jacket: How it works's
Do-it-yourself repairs
A hole or tear in your rain jacket? This can happen quickly and is particularly unpleasant on multi-day tours. Special patches or stickers (fabric patches) are available from outdoor retailers and selected online shops for such minor mishaps. They work very well for covering small holes when you're out and about so that the damage doesn't get any worse. However, these patches are not intended for permanent repairs. Gearaid (www.gearaid.eu) and McNett, for example, offer special patches - from around 9 euros - for Gore-Tex and Sympatex clothing. Vaude recommends the adhesive patches (polyamide) "Flick & Fertig" from Kleiber for cutting to size (set of two 12x10 cm for around 5 euros). They are available in the online shop or from specialist outdoor shops. Damaged Gore-Tex clothing with a Shakedry membrane must be repaired by a Gore-authorised repair centre or by the manufacturer.
Defective zips, large holes and tears or torn pockets can be repaired by yourself - provided you have manual skills and a sewing machine. Detailed instructions for a wide range of repairs can be found at https://help.vaude.com and www.de.ifixit.com/Device/VAUDE_Bekleidungsstück
Professional repair service: Provider overview
Gore-Tex
Repairs are carried out by certified Gore-Tex repair centres. Companies and costs can be found at https://goretex.online-impraegnierung.de/shop/de
Endura
The Garment Repair Service is based in Scotland. Damaged textiles must also be sent there. A flat rate of £15 is charged for standard repairs, plus postage.www.endurasport.com/support/repair.list
Sympatex
Authorised repair partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Addresses under www.sympatex.com/ueber-uns/pflege-und-reparatur/
Spoonbill
It is best to contact us by email first and describe the damage. Ideally, attach a photo of the product and the damage, including the surrounding seams. A cost estimate will then be drawn up. The garments should not be older than five years. Information at www.loeffler.at/de/loeffler-welt/reparaturservice
Gonso
Damaged functional clothing is sent to the Gonso repair service via the specialist retailer. The repair costs are on average between 10 and 30 euros.www.gonso.de/de-de/service/kontakt
Vaude
Damaged parts should also be returned to Vaude via the specialist dealer. https://help.vaude.com
Globetrotter
The outdoor retailer offers a repair service in its 20 or so specialist shops. www.globetrotter.de/ueber-globetrotter/nachhaltigkeit
Tip: Tailoring workshops can usually also help - or the professional repair service offered by certain clothing manufacturers and outdoor and sports shops.
Care of bikepacking bags, rucksacks and panniers
A tip for racing cyclists and gravel bikers who are travelling with luggage from time to time:
Transport bags also need care and should at least be cleaned of dirt from time to time. But bags - whether large or small - and rucksacks do not belong in the washing machine or tumble dryer! This could damage them. Hand washing is the order of the day: warm water, a sponge, mild soap and an old toothbrush are the tools of the trade. Then hang the bag upside down outside to dry, if possible. Waterproof bags do not usually need to be re-impregnated, others can be treated with a spray. If something breaks, most manufacturers have spare parts such as fasteners, straps and carrying straps in stock. Self-adhesive patches (repair patches) are available for small holes and tears in the bags. However, very few can carry out professional repairs themselves; the defective bags have to be sent to a repair service.
Repair service for bikepacking bags and rucksacks: an overview of providers
Apidura
The British bikepacking experts co-operate with shop partners in Germany who handle repair orders.
Deuter
For repairs, you should contact Deuter via the website or via specialised dealers.
Globetrotter
The outdoor retailer offers a repair service in its 20 or so specialist shops. www.globetrotter.de/ueber-globetrotter/nachhaltigkeit
Ortlieb
The pannier specialist has a repair workshop in Heilsbronn. After inspecting the product, the sender will receive a quote for the costs incurred if these exceed 20 euros. The shipping fee is 5.36 euros. Information at www.ortlieb.com/de_de/service/kundenservice
Osprey
The manufacturer maintains a repair centre in Great Britain. For enquiries, please contact your specialist dealer or send an e-mail to care@ospreyeurope.com or to tel. 0044/1202/946444.
Vaude
Bags and rucksacks can also be repaired by Vaude. Damaged parts should be sent in via the specialist retailer. https://help.vaude.com
