Cleaning & caring for motorcycle clothing: The comprehensive guide to washing, drying & waterproofing
Do you want to wash your motorcycle clothing but are afraid of doing something wrong? This is precisely the challenge faced by many motorcyclists. One wrong detergent, too much heat or forgotten protectors and your expensive gear is damaged. It’s not just about cleanliness, but also about your safety.
In this guide, you will find out how to properly care for textile, leather and Gore-Tex, which detergent is best for motorcycle clothing, when you should waterproof it and whether professional cleaning at Louis or Polo is worthwhile. In short: everything you need to keep your clothing functional, clean and durable.
The MYCOVER® team clarifies!
Table of Contents
- Washing motorcycle clothing – why it’s important
- Preparation: how to proceed correctly
- Washing by material – what you should know
- Washing and waterproofing motorcycle clothing – step by step
- Washing motorcycle clothing – step by step
- Weitere Ausrüstung richtig pflegen
- When you should have your motorcycle clothing cleaned
- Tips for special brands
- FAQ – Questions about washing motorcycle clothing
Washing motorcycle clothing – why it’s important
Protective clothing only works if it remains intact. If it is not cleaned regularly, membranes lose their breathability, leather becomes brittle, and textiles lose their water-repellent properties.
Therefore, you should wash your motorcycle clothing as soon as it is visibly dirty or smells unpleasant. Especially with textile clothing with climate membranes such as Gore-Tex, care is essential. You should regularly waterproof your motorcycle clothing so that it remains water-repellent.
Preparation: how to proceed correctly
A few basic rules apply before the wash cycle:
- Check the care label for special cleaning instructions
- Remove protectors from clothing before washing
- Close zippers, Velcro surfaces and press studs
- Remove coarse dirt with a soft brush
- Pre-treat stubborn stains with stain remover or mild soap
Washing by material – what you should know
Textile
You can wash your textile motorcycle clothing if the care label allows it. Use a special detergent for motorcycle clothing, rinse thoroughly and do not use fabric softener. Afterwards, be sure to waterproof the motorcycle textile clothing so that rain beads off again.
Gore-Tex
If you want to wash Gore-Tex motorcycle clothing, the following applies: Delicate detergent without residue, no fabric softener, no spinning. Two rinse cycles ensure that no detergent residue remains in the pores.
Leather
You should only clean your motorcycle leather clothing by hand, with a damp cloth and special cleaner such as those from Nikwax. After cleaning, treat it with a suitable leather care product specifically for motorcycle clothing to keep the material supple.
Functional underwear
Wash functional motorcycle underwear separately and at a low temperature. It should not come into contact with fabric softener or aggressive detergents.
Washing and waterproofing motorcycle clothing – step by step
- Observe preparatory steps
- Wash motorcycle clothing in the washing machine at 30 degrees, gentle cycle
- Carry out two rinse cycles
- Air dry, never on the radiator or in the blazing sun
- Washing and waterproofing motorcycle clothing with spray for breathable textiles
Are you looking for a gentle and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional detergents for your motorcycle clothing? Then washing nuts (also called soap nuts) are an excellent choice, especially for textiles with membranes like Gore-Tex.
The shells of the soap nut contain natural saponins that develop soap-like properties when in contact with water. The special thing about it: They clean your clothes gently and thoroughly without aggressive chemicals that could attack the sensitive fibers or the functionality of your membranes.
Proper care of other equipment
It’s not just jackets and trousers that need care. In the magazine you will find detailed guides for:
When you should have your motorcycle clothing cleaned
If you wear high-quality brands or have heavily soiled clothing, it may be advisable to have your motorcycle clothing professionally cleaned. Providers like Polo or Louis offer professional services, including waterproofing and drying.
Motorcycle clothing from brands such as Held, Stadler, Klim, Modeka, Vanucci, Büse or Rukka requires special attention during cleaning. Some even explicitly recommend cleaning by specialized service providers.
Tips for special brands
- Washing Rukka motorcycle clothing: It is best to use a mild detergent, do not spin, and let it air dry gently.
- Cleaning Held motorcycle clothing: Remove protectors before washing, observe the care label, wash at a low temperature.
- Washing Stadler motorcycle clothing: Use a gentle cycle, no fabric softener; a professional repair and care service is also available.
- Washing Klim motorcycle clothing: Only use residue-free products, then waterproof to maintain the water-repellent function.
- Cleaning Modeka motorcycle clothing: Wash gently at 30 °C without fabric softener, remove protectors beforehand, air dry.
- Washing Vanucci motorcycle clothing: Select the functional laundry program, use a mild detergent, do not tumble dry.
- Cleaning Büse motorcycle clothing: Observe care instructions on the label, treat with a suitable waterproofing spray after washing.
Textile motorcycle clothing cleaning can be combined with professional services or repair offers from many brands.
FAQ – Questions about washing motorcycle clothing
Can I simply wash my motorcycle clothing in the washing machine, or is hand washing better?
Yes, you can wash many motorcycle garments, especially textile clothing, in the washing machine, but only on a gentle cycle (30 °C, max. 800 rpm) and with a special detergent for functional clothing.
Important: Remove protectors beforehand, close all fasteners and observe the care label. Leather clothing should generally not be put in the machine and should therefore be cleaned by hand or professionally.
How do I properly care for different materials such as Gore-Tex, leather or textile?
Gore-Tex and similar membranes require a residue-free mild detergent and subsequent waterproofing. Textile clothing is usually machine washable, but should also be waterproofed. Leather clothing is only treated with a damp cloth and special cleaner, but never put in the washing machine! Each material has its own requirements, so care labels and manufacturer’s instructions are crucial.
How do I dry motorcycle clothing properly?
You should always dry motorcycle clothing gently and in the air, ideally in a well-ventilated place, but not in direct sunlight or on the heater. Heat can damage functional membranes and materials. It is best to hang jackets and pants on a hanger so that they keep their shape and can dry evenly.
Leather clothing should also not be exposed to the sun or artificial heat sources; it should dry slowly and then be treated with leather care products.
Textile clothing with a membrane can be reactivated in the dryer on a low setting after drying if necessary, but only if the care label expressly allows this.
When is it worth having my motorcycle clothing professionally cleaned – and what should I look out for?
Professional cleaning is particularly useful for high-quality clothing or sensitive materials such as leather or Gore-Tex. It extends the lifespan and maintains protective functions such as waterproofing or abrasion resistance.
When dropping off your clothing, look for specialized providers who have experience with motorcycle clothing, such as Louis or Polo, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
How often should I wash my motorcycle clothing?
The frequency depends on the use. For regular trips, it is advisable to clean the clothing every few weeks or at the latest when it is visibly soiled. After every third or fourth wash, it should also be waterproofed to maintain its water-repellent properties.
Can I wash my motorcycle clothing in the washing machine?
Yes, many textile motorcycle garments can be washed at 30 °C on a gentle cycle. It is important to remove all protectors and use a special detergent for functional clothing. However, leather clothing should not be machine washed.
How do I care for leather motorcycle clothing properly?
When and how should I waterproof my motorcycle clothing?
What should be considered when cleaning Gore-Tex motorcycle clothing?
Which detergents are suitable for washing motorcycle clothing?
Use special detergents for functional clothing or mild, residue-free fine detergents. As a natural alternative, washing nuts are also suitable; they contain saponins, clean gently, and are also biodegradable. Avoid household detergents, bleaches, and fabric softeners, as they can damage membranes like Gore-Tex.
What is the best way to store my motorcycle clothing?
What to do with stubborn stains or odors in motorcycle clothing?
It is best to treat stubborn stains with special products for functional clothing. An additional rinse cycle or airing in the fresh air often helps against odors.
Washing nuts are a natural alternative to classic detergents; they clean mildly but reach their limits with heavy soiling. If you miss fragrances, you can also carefully add a few drops of essential oil (e.g., lavender or tea tree) to the wash for insensitive textiles, but only if no sensitive membranes like Gore-Tex are processed.