If you love your motorcycle clothing and want to keep it for a long time, you should wash it at least once a year. Depending on the material it is made of, there are a few things to consider.
Motorcycle clothing made from waxed fabrics
You can't just throw motorcycle clothing made of waxed fabrics into the washing machine. Because then you would not only remove the stains, but also destroy the wax layer and its water-repellent function.
That's why you need a special cleaner to clean waxed fabrics. Our recommendation is the Canvas Cleaner from Otter Wax. It is 100% natural and developed on the basis of pure vegetable olive oil to remove dirt without attacking the wax layer. All you need is a soft brush, a bowl of cold water and a lint-free cloth.
Use the brush to apply the Canvas Cleaner to the affected area in circular movements. Then simply wash off the cleaner and dirt with a damp, lint-free cloth. If necessary, you can also apply some wax to the cleaned area after drying.
Our favorite way to remove unpleasant odors is to use Otter Wax's Odor Eliminator. You simply spray this on the inside and outside of the fabric.
Leather motorcycle clothing
In our article "Cleaning and caring for leather", we will show you how to properly clean and care for leather. And even if you can't just throw the jacket in the washing machine, it may be possible to at least remove and wash the thermal lining according to the manufacturer's instructions. Another option is the Odor Eliminator from Otter Wax to at least remove unpleasant odors from the inner lining.
Motorcycle clothing made of fabric with a climate membrane
Above all, motorcycle clothing with a climate membrane should be washed regularly to maintain its functionality. Because dirt, dust and mud can clog the membrane. As a result, the fabric can no longer breathe and the moisture caused by perspiration accumulates under the fabric. But the membrane can also clog from the inside. Because when you sweat, tiny salt residues can be deposited on the membrane.
How often you should wash your motorcycle clothing varies. Do you travel a lot, even when the weather is bad? Then we recommend that you wash your clothes every three months. If you only go out occasionally on sunny days, then once at the end of the season is enough.
It is particularly important that you do not use conventional detergent for washing. Because that could also clog the membrane. In any case, use a special cleaner.
Before washing, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and those on your cleaner. In addition, we would like to give you the following tips:
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Make sure all pockets are really empty
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Remove all protectors
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Remove the thermal lining (will be washed separately)
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Close any zippers or Velcro.
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Turn the garment inside out
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Let the jacket dry completely, but not in the sun
You can also wash motorcycle clothing made of fabric without a climate membrane with a conventional detergent. Simply note the information provided by the manufacturer.
Abrasion-resistant motorcycle clothing with Kevlar or other aramid reinforcements
In particular, protective motorcycle jeans consist of a certain percentage or layers of technical fibers such as Kevlar or Cordura. These fibers can be destroyed by washing too often and thus lose their protective or abrasion-resistant function without you seeing it.
You should therefore wash your abrasion-resistant motorcycle clothing much less frequently (max. once a year) and only according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you wash, please do not let it dry in the sun, because the sun's rays can also impair the abrasion protection. If you want to ensure freshness in between, you can simply use the Odor Eliminator from Otter Wax.
In fact, it is worthwhile to opt for higher-quality and therefore more expensive motorcycle jeans when making your purchase. Their processing and fiber quality is significantly less susceptible and less sensitive to UV rays. In the end, you benefit from it for much longer.
Tip:
Quality manufacturers like Fuel Motorcycle, Pando Moto or Rokker offer a lifetime exchange service in the event of a fall. Just ask your dealer about it. Another argument for high-quality products.
As you can see, washing motorcycle clothing properly is not that difficult. Although patina is cool and tells of your adventures, sometimes it makes sense to wash and care for more than just aesthetic reasons. Nevertheless, you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions and only use products that are suitable for the respective material.
