Cycling gear costs a fortune. Far too much for you destroy by not washing properly. Read this section to help your gear last a lifetime.

Washing your bike clothes.

Be very carefull when washing your bike clothes. Do not be tempted to throw all your mud caked gear into the washing machine and boil wash. Very bad indeed as much of your clothing range is made up of complex, technically advanced fabrics. Boiling these can damage the fibres reducing their properties drastically. Try using a wash no more than 40 degrees. Use a proven brand name detergent. Do not use fabric conditioner, as this will block the micropores reducing the sweat wicking properties of the fabric.
If in doubt, read the label.
The beauty of most bike gear is that it dries very quickly indeed. Try not to leave washed clothes lying in a bundled heap.

Washing your shoes.

The old shoes can become very smelly indeed and this is not pleasant at all. This is partly to do with the time that they spend submerged in stagnant water and cattle shit.
Fill the sink with some hot water, add alittle amount of soap powder and scrub with a cloth or a scouring pad to remove all the crap. Leave to steep in hot water for a while to get bite in to all the crap.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water to het rid of excess soap powder, leave in sink to drip dry (or washing line) When the worst of the water has ran out, stuff with newspaper to soak up dampness.
Once dry, your shoes will be as good as new and will even smell a lot better.
PS remember to take newspaper out before you try to put them on! Doh!