A quality cycling outfit calls for a good investment, and as they say, you get what you pay for. Some of the most common types of fabrics used in cycling clothes are breathable mesh jerseys, high-tech lycra, and comfy chamois inserts.
A better quality material will ensure more comfort and fun while riding, and quality comes with a higher price tag. Let’s not forget that these outfits are meant for outdoor use, and they take a lot of beating on the road from bad weather and rough roads.
If you accidentally fall, your cycling outfit gets burnt and stains too! So, make sure you use the best detergent for cycling clothes and take proper care when doing the laundry. As this calls for a significant investment, we urge that you choose the detergent wisely.
If you look online, you can see there is a plethora of manufacturers that offer laundry detergent, making it difficult to choose one. To make it easier for you, our review team has scoured the Internet to find the top-rated laundry detergents suitable for cycling clothes.
Read on to find the detailed reviews of each product handpicked by our team. If you are too busy to read until the end, we recommend the Tide Free & Gentle laundry detergent that keeps cycling and workout clothes clean and odor-free. It also keeps your skin safe and prevents clothes fabric from deteriorating.
| Product Name | Dimensions | Scent | |
| #1. Tide Free & Gentle HE Turbo Liquid Laundry Detergent | 7.32 x 6.32 x 9.55 inches | Unscented | See Price |
| #2. Assos Active Wear Cleanser 300ml | 2 x 2 x 7 inches | Active | See Price |
| #3. Active Wear Laundry Detergent | 7 x 1 x 10 inches | Unscented | See Price |
| #4. Nikwax Base Wash | 3.94 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches | Neutral scent | See Price |
| #5. Sport-Wash 42oz | 10.5 x 5 x 3 inches | Unscented | See Price |
#1. Tide Free & Gentle HE Turbo Liquid Laundry Detergent
This gentle HE turbo liquid detergent (see Amazon) is from the family of Tide, and promises to keep your clothes clean and skin safe. It is a powerful and hypoallergenic formula that is free of any perfumes or dyes. Available in two different capacities, for regular and high-efficiency washing machines, it efficiently removes dirt and food stains.
Similar to other Tide products, this detergent contains surfactants that are made of two parts – water-loving and water-hating parts. The water-loving or hydrophilic part disintegrates the surface tension in case of water.
The water-hating part or hydrophobic gets attracted to grease or oil in stains, loosening and removing them completely from the fabric. To get the best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and fill up to bar 1 for medium loads, up to bar 3 for large loads, and up to bar 5 for HE full loads.
Product Features
- Measures 7.32 x 6.32 x 9.55 inches
- Weighs 3.86 Pounds
- Contains biodegradable surfactants
- Dermatologist tested laundry experience
- Contains 50 oz. (32 loads)
- Hypoallergenic, PODS Free with 3-in-1 chamber technology
User/ Customer reviews
There are mixed reviews about the Tide Laundry Detergent, and many people seem to really like this while others don’t like the thinner consistency and smell. Several users have expressed their appreciation about how nicely this detergent cleans and leaves clothes smelling fantastic. A few customers have warned that the detergent is too overpriced than the regular ones.
Conclusion
If you have sensitive skin but you don’t want to comprise with the cleaning ability of your detergent then we recommend the Tide Free & Gentle HE Turbo (shop now). Powered by the 3-in-1 chamber technology, this liquid detergent has everything needed to give you a great laundry experience.
#2. Assos Active Wear Cleanser 300ml
To clean and take care of cycling wear, we recommend hand wash using the Assos Active Wear Cleanser. It promises to keep the fabric like new and neutralize bad odor to keep it smelling fresh. The detergent is also gentle on the elastic fibers and maintains sharp color sublimation.
If you like to take on the rough and muddy trails quite often, this cleanser does a good job at removing the tough stains and improving the breathability of textiles. Created specifically for the sublimated textiles, it serves as an effective cleaning and antibacterial treatment detergent.
The detergent also includes color protection to ensure that the vibrant colors stay intact. It comes in a nice bottle with a wide mouth that makes pouring easier. There comes a nice scent when open the bottle but the fragrance does not get transferred to the washed clothes.
Product Features
- Measures 2 x 2 x 7 inches
- Weighs 4 Ounces
- pH neutral and neutralizes odors
- Enhances breathability of textiles
- Maintains sharp color sublimation
- Keeps cycling clothes smelling fresh
User/ Customer reviews
Most people have said that the product comes with clear instructions on how to use it and does a good job at cleaning jerseys and cycling clothes. Those who have used the product have mentioned that it leaves a crisp smell that is not overbearing for the users. Some customers have also said that a little detergent can clean a lot of clothes so the high price is somewhat justified.
Conclusion
The Assos Active Wear Cleanser is a light and gentle cleanser that does a good job at removing the stubborn stains and keeps the colors intact. Although it costs slightly more than other products in the category, the ability to remove tough stains from cycling clothes make it worth the price.
#3. Active Wear Laundry Detergent
Made in the USA, this activewear laundry detergent is a specialized formula made from natural plant-based enzymes. This laundry detergent is free from chemicals like phosphate, bleach, dyes, and softeners. It does not contain any artificial fragrances and is also septic safe.
As per the manufacturers, it is best suited for gym wear, yoga pants, underwear, sports bra, and synthetic fibers. Unlike the traditional detergent, the Active formula penetrates deep into the fibers of clothes and breaks down the sweat and oil buildup.
As the detergent is hypoallergenic in nature, it is best suited for sensitive skin. It is also compatible with men’s and women’s athletic clothing brands such as Adidas, Lululemon, Nike, Athleta, Fabletics, Gymshark, Prana, Alo Yoga, Under Armour, Zella, and Mika, to name a few.
Product Features
- Concentrated formula
- Non-toxic ingredients
- No waste fillers
- No artificial fragrance
- 90 loads per bag
- SLS free, phosphate-free, gluten-free
- Made in the USA
User/ Customer reviews
Many users have said that this detergent works like wonder to not only actively remove the dirt and stains but also leaves the washed clothes smelling really good. Those who have used the product have also said that it takes just a small scoop of detergent to clean the clothes. A few customers have warned that there is no measurement mentioned in the bag.
Conclusion
If you lead an active lifestyle and enjoy cycling a lot then you need a powerful yet gentle detergent like the Active Wear Laundry Detergent to take care of your investment. It does a great job at removing all sorts of stubborn stains and stinks to give you clean and good smelling cycling gear. Overall, it gets a thumbs up from us.
#4. Nikwax Base Wash
Although the Nikwax Base Wash is labeled as a leather waterproofing product in the market, it also does a great job at cleaning and deodorizing outdoor clothing. As a high-performance cleaner, it accelerates the drying process and inhibits the build-up of body odors.
This detergent is safe to use in the washing machine, and it outperforms any standard household detergent at removing stains and preventing the stink. It also improves the breathability of fabric and wicking aspects of workout clothing or activewear.
The manufacturer also recommends using this cleaning detergent for the synthetic base layers and undergarments. As this is a biodegradable and water-based product without any VOCs, PFCs, optical brighteners, or added fragrance, it is safe for sensitive skin too.
Product Features
- Wash-in cleaner
- Accelerates drying
- Biodegradable product
- Machine-wash safe
- Water-based detergent
- PFCs, VOCs, optical brighteners, or added scent
User/ Customer reviews
Most users have said that the product does what it says and helps clean dry wicking clothes like a dream. Some people have also said that this detergent adds a new lease of life to the outdoor garment. A few customers have said that although it does the job really well, the scent can be overbearing and hard to get rid of clothes.
Conclusion
This is a good quality waterproof detergent specially developed for athletic and moisture-wicking clothes. If you are troubled by the lingering odor coming from the old cycling clothes and jerseys then this cleaner is worth checking out. Overall, this product offers a good price to performance ratio.
#5. Sport-Wash 42oz
If your cycling gear is made of a fabric that removes sweat but retains the stench that makes you sick then you need to check out the Sport-Wash detergent. While the regular detergent only manages to mask the bad odor without actually eliminating the problem, Sport-Wash liberates you from the stink.
The advanced detergent is made from a neutral pH formula that removes 99.9% of stains and stains while retaining the color vibrancy of the fabric. It also helps in restoring the technical qualities such as breathability, moisture-wicking, and water repellency.
This is a 100% biodegradable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly formula that is free of harmful bleach, brighteners, scents, and fabric softener. It serves as the best choice for natural fibers and synthetic workout clothes. It also works for protective pads, braces, and sport gloves.
Product Features
- Not scented
- 100% non-toxic
- Free of softeners and brighteners
- Removes 99.9% stains and odors
- All-natural ingredients
- Gentle on fabric
User/ Customer reviews
Users have said that the detergent is so effective that sweat gym clothes kept in the bag for 5 days can also come out fresh and smelling clean. People love the light scent that stays back in the washed clothes that give you a fresh feeling. A few customers have mentioned that the instructions on how much detergent to use are not mentioned clearly.
Conclusion
If you find it really hard to get rid of body odor from your or your partner’s clothes, the Sport-Wash 42oz is worth trying. This is an advanced technical formula that is as effective as it sounds. Overall, we feel that it does a great job of getting rid of all the stubborn stains, stench, and stink.
Related Questions
What’s the best method to clean cycling clothes
To clean cycling clothes, you must wash them separately from the regular laundry. Heavy clothes like jackets or jeans can ruin the light and delicate fabric. Always use a mild detergent and gentle cycle while washing and avoid using any type of fabric softeners or brighteners.
What else can I use besides detergent to get rid of the odor
While we strongly recommend you to use one of the detergents for cycling clothes mentioned above for best results, you may also try some alternatives. These options include lemon juice, vinegar, borax, soap nuts, shampoo, and bar soap.
See Also:
6 Best Cycling Pants For Rain
5 Best Mountain Bike Pants For Winter
8 Best Cycling Gloves For Hand Numbness
