{"id":86852,"date":"2025-08-21T18:42:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T18:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/86852\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T18:42:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T18:42:13","slug":"how-pros-keep-white-cycling-gear-spotless-and-looking-like-new","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/86852\/","title":{"rendered":"How Pros Keep White Cycling Gear Spotless and Looking Like New"},"content":{"rendered":"

For most of my life, I eschewed white cycling gear. I often joked that I wasn\u2019t fast enough to wear white, a nod to the white jerseys<\/a> with rainbow stripes worn by bike racing\u2019s reigning World Champions<\/a>. Plus, white kits didn\u2019t mesh with my all-black punk aesthetic.<\/p>\n

However, the reason I steered clear of white jerseys<\/a>, shoes<\/a>, socks<\/a>, gloves<\/a>, and other equipment was that I don\u2019t like wearing grimy-looking gear. Early in my cycling career, I permanently stained a white jersey with mud splatters and turned several pairs of white socks pink. So, I incorrectly assumed people who wore white gear were either fast enough to receive a constant stream of free replacements from sponsors or had stacks of money to set on fire. The truth is, I wasn\u2019t washing white gear correctly.<\/p>\n

\"aPOOL VINCENT KALUT\/\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

White cycling gear isn\u2019t only for World Champions like Tadej Poga\u010dar; you can wear it too.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s often a little more work keeping white gear looking as fresh as black, navy, or brown colors. However, there are proven methods you can use to prevent your white gear from turning gray. We consulted clothing brands, talked with pro mechanics, and scoured the internet for the best tips and tricks for cleaning white gear.
<\/p>\n

Supplies You Need\"cleaning<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

The experts all agreed: all you need are basic cleaning supplies and some extra time to clean white gear. While it might not save a white jersey or socks with baked-in stains, it can keep your new gear looking spotless.<\/p>\n

Cleaning white gear usually only requires common household and laundry cleaning supplies. These include dish soap<\/a>, distilled white vinegar<\/a>, baking soda<\/a>, stain remover<\/a>, and bleach<\/a>. Other handy items include OxiClean<\/a>, Magic Erasers<\/a> (aka melamine foam<\/a>), soft brushes<\/a>, and a wash basin<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Related StoryBottles\"bottle<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start with the easiest white gear to clean, and the one many riders own even if they don\u2019t wear white clothes. White water bottles<\/a> quickly get marred with black or grey marks from bottle cages. I keep mine looking fresh by wiping them down with a Magic Eraser after each ride; it\u2019s super effective at removing cage marks. However, be careful not to rub too hard over the bottles\u2019 graphics or logos, as the sponge will sometimes remove them if you\u2019re overly aggressive with cleaning.<\/p>\n

A paste of vinegar and baking soda helps remove more stubborn cage marks. Bottle Bright<\/a> is handy for keeping the insides of the bottle clean. If your bottles develop mildew inside, a bottle brush, plus some vinegar and baking soda, can also help remove it. But sometimes it\u2019s best to cut your losses and throw the bottle in the recycling bin if it\u2019s still gross after repeated cleaning (like if it had drink mix sitting around in it for weeks).<\/p>\n

Related StoryShoes\"white<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

White cycling shoes project an undeniably professional look and elevate any cyclist\u2019s fashion game. (To paraphrase Rancid, \u201cBlack kit, white shoes, black helmet, road bike. Yeah, the boy\u2019s a time bomb<\/a>.\u201d)<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, white shoes can quickly look dirty and older than their true age if you don\u2018t keep them clean. Part of keeping white shoes looking fresh is not wearing them on muddy rides or rainy days when they\u2019ll get covered in grit and grime from the road. However, even if you only wear your white shoes on bone-dry days and cherry conditions, they will still get dirty. <\/p>\n

I wipe down my white shoes after rides with a damp cloth and remove scuff marks with a Magic Eraser. Bicycling Senior Photographer, Trevor Raab<\/a>\u2019s big tip is: \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to soak your shoes.\u201d And as an elite mountain bike and cyclocross racer, he knows all about muddy gear.<\/p>\n

\"white<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

Some white shoes are easier to clean than others. My Specialized Torch 3.0<\/a> shoes clean easily, but the Fizik woven ones are trickier to keep looking new. \u201cOur Vega shoe<\/a> is admittedly a bit difficult to keep precious white,\u201d Fizik\u2019s North American Marketing Manager, Cheyne Parrot, told me. <\/p>\n

Parrot\u2019s five cleaning tips are: 1) Clean shoes after just about every ride to make them last as long as possible, 2) Avoid wet conditions when possible, 3) Use only soft, warm water when cleaning, 4) Use the mildest soap you can find, and 5) Use the softest brush you can find to clean trouble areas. <\/p>\n

Recently, a video by Spanish cyclist Daniel Sanz<\/a> circulated on social media showing his method for keeping white DMT shoes (the ones worn by Tour de France<\/a> winner Tadej Poga\u010dar) looking sharp. <\/p>\n

Sanz\u2019s Shoe Cleaning Steps<\/p>\n

Step 1: Remove the surface dirt\u2028
Start with neutral soap and a soft brush. Gently scrub the entire shoe.
\u26a0\ufe0f Soft brush
Step 2: Soak in water + bleach
Place the shoes in a bucket of water with a small splash of bleach. Let them soak for a few minutes.
\ud83d\udeab Don\u2019t overdo it, just a little bleach!
Step 3: Rinse & scrub again\u2028Rinse thoroughly and scrub again with a sponge to remove any residue.\u2028
Step 4: Bicarbonate + vinegar paste
Now mix baking soda and cleaning vinegar into a paste.
Apply it generously over the shoes.
Step 5: Let it sit under the sun \u2600\ufe0f\u2028Leave them in the sun for a few hours, this helps lift deep stains and brighten the white.\u2028
Step 6: Final rinse & dry
Rinse off all the paste with water. Clean any leftover residue. Then let them dry again in the sun. <\/p>\n

Socks\"white<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

If white cycling shoes are a statement, white shoes paired with white socks are the exclamation point. They complete the look and look sharp.<\/p>\n

However, keeping white socks clean is more difficult than maintaining the fresh look on your shoes. Socks soak up sweat, rub against dirty chains<\/a>, and dirt and grit work their way into the fabric. You need to take care when washing white socks to avoid any stains setting or them becoming dyed from other clothing.<\/p>\n

While cycling kit is often labeled \u201chand wash only\u201d, I generally skip the warning and machine wash my jerseys and bibs on a gentle or delicate cycle separately from my street clothes. But I usually hand-wash my white cycling socks to ensure they stay bright white. <\/p>\n

\"sock<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

I do this in a wash basin or the sink. Typically, I treat any stains or grease marks with dish soap or stain remover, then I rinse with cold water. Next, I wash the socks in cold water, OxiClean, and a little white vinegar. Then, I let them soak until the grit and dirt release. I add a splash of bleach (don\u2019t use too much!) if the socks are super dirty. Rinse the socks clean of any sweat before adding bleach to avoid yellowing or discoloration.<\/p>\n

Swiftwick<\/a> CEO Mark Chou is also a fan of dish soap for removing stains. Chou told me, \u201cWe’ve found that a little bit of Dawn dish soap goes a long way to treat chain grease stains, especially on white socks.\u201d He suggests applying a dab of soap and a little water directly to the stain, gently rubbing it in, and then washing as usual. Chou adds that you can machine wash Swiftwick\u2019s white socks, \u201cTo keep our socks looking crisp, we recommend machine washing them in cold water and tumble dry without heat.\u201d
<\/p>\n

Megan Dean, owner of sock brand Moon Dust Apparel<\/a>, says, \u201cI use baking soda and vinegar for everything anyway, but it works for a lot of just regular dirty white socks.\u201d She jokingly added that, \u201cDawn dish soap *can* get grease out, but still seems to be a hope and a prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerseys and Shorts\"velocio<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

Washing white jerseys is similar to the methods used to wash white socks. My number one recommendation is washing your kit as soon as possible after particularly muddy or gritty rides. Rinse the clothes and treat any stains before throwing them in the laundry. <\/p>\n

You need to take extra care with clothing that has sublimated graphics. Ornot<\/a> founder Matt Quann told me, \u201cMy best tip is to soak in OxiClean for 6-8 hours before washing in the washer. This usually gets things pretty clean\/white again.\u201d Quann notes that it\u2019s important to remove any stains from sublimated jerseys before introducing heat. \u201cIf you do introduce heat with a stain on a sublimated fabric, it can set the stain for good,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Senior Reviews Editor Bobby Lea<\/a> raced professionally for years and wore white cycling kits several times during his career. Lea also recommends keeping OxiClean around to clean white jerseys. Bobby\u2019s wife, Shelby Lea, also shared a secret their family uses: Miss Messy Mouth<\/a>. It\u2019s designed for cleaning messy kids\u2019 clothes, but also works wonders for cyclists.<\/p>\n

Helmets\"helmet<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

Like shoes, helmets are a piece of gear that many riders fear washing. Yet we wear them on our heads during rainy rides; they certainly can get wet. Trevor Raab said he sometimes wears his helmet right into the shower after a muddy ride or race and cleans it with shampoo. I prefer to wash mine in the sink or tub, rinse and lightly scrub the pads and liner, and let the helmet air dry. <\/p>\n

Similar to bottles and shoes, I use a Magic Eraser to remove marks on white helmets. This also gives me a chance to inspect the helmet for any damage. Regularly check your helmet for dents, dings, and cracks, even if you haven\u2019t crashed. Helmets can be compromised from falling off tables, getting knocked around in gear bags, or flying around in the trunk of our cars.<\/p>\n

Related StoryBar Tape\"white<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

White handlebar tape isn\u2019t as popular as in years past, but it\u2019s still a way to make even the plainest bike stand out. White tape (especially when paired with white brake hoods) still looks classy on almost any bike. <\/p>\n

Unfortunately, dirty white tape can make an otherwise clean bike look sloppy. The simple solution is to wipe down your bar tape after rides with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or sweat. For baked-in grime, use a Magic Eraser. Some Simple Green and water also works wonders to clean white or light-color bar tape.<\/p>\n

Frames\"cleaning<\/p>\n

Trevor Raab<\/p>\n

Painted bicycle frames and forks are generally easy to clean since they usually have a clear coat applied over the painted surface. However, some white bikes are tougher to keep clean than others\u2014Gloss finishes clean easily; satin and matte finishes can trap dirt, grime, brake dust, and greasy fingerprints.<\/p>\n

Several years ago, when I was the product director for a bicycle company, one of the brand\u2019s professional racers won a mountain bike World Championship. The athlete requested a satin white painted bike to celebrate their win. However, the team\u2018s mechanics nixed the request when they caught wind of the plan since they knew how tough it would be to keep the bike looking fresh. (The racer and mechanics quickly compromised on a gloss white finish.)<\/p>\n

Gloss finish frames usually clean up with dish soap and water. Rub marks\u2014like those from a rider\u2019s heel against a chainstay or from transport on a rack\u2014can be removed with a Magic Eraser. <\/p>\n

Satin and matte finish paints can be trickier. Magic Erasers sometimes work on these surfaces, but other times you need to apply heavy-duty tactics. Special matte surface cleaners<\/a>, along with a soft brush, elbow grease, and patience, can help remove embedded clay or brake dust from a bike.<\/p>\n

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\"Headshot<\/p>\n

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling\u2019s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA\/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media. \u00a0<\/p>\n