FAQ | Washing

All Ground Effect clothing enjoys a warm 40ºC machine wash.

As a rule of thumb, a laundry product that is easy on the planet is also easy on your body. Select a mild plant-based soap like  Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.

Hand washing is sometimes the only option on tour, but a washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.

Avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.

• The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage technical fabrics and cause skin irritation.
• Bleach rots natural fibres like merino, strips the dye, attacks laminates of waterproof fabrics and can also cause skin irritation.
• Sodium Percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can make colours run.
• Fabric softener and wool wash destroy the water repellent finish on waterproof fabrics, and can also cause colours to run.

Most Ground Effect gear dries super-fast, so hanging on the line or draped over the bedpost is generally the best option.

• High heat can damage some fabrics so if you do take your threads for a spin in the dryer, set the device on 'medium' or 'warm' rather than hot.

Some additional fabric-specific guidelines...

+HydroFoil™

Like the drivetrain or expensive components on your bike, proper care and maintenance is essential to extend the life of your HydroFoil™ rain jacket or pants and optimise their performance over time.

Wash Regularly

• Accumulated dirt, body oil, sunscreen and sweat degrade the factory-applied water repellant treatment on the outside of the HydroFoil™ fabric.
• Wash after about half a dozen outings, or after a particularly grubby ride. If it looks dirty, then your garment is definitely overdue some love.
• No need for kid gloves - just a warm machine wash at 40º with a mild plant-based soap as listed above.
• You can also opt for a specific sport wash like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash - around NZ$30 online or from most outdoor shops.

Recharge and Restore

• After washing, line dry or preferably give it a spin in the dryer on a warm (not hot) cycle - this helps ‘recharge’ the factory water repellent finish.
• The factory treatment does wear off quite quickly. When the fabric starts to rapidly wet out - generally after about four washes - you’ll want to restore with a water repellent solution.
• Ground Effect recommends TX Direct. It is easy to apply and each bottle is good for a few applications. At just $29 NZD ($10 off the usual retail price), it’s a small and worthwhile investment to keep your expensive jacket or pants humming through the winter.
• The effectiveness of this restoration process depends on the age and condition of your jacket.
• Note that while the fabric's wetting-out impairs performance, particularly breathability, the HydroFoil™ laminate will remain waterproof.

Store Dry

• A damp jacket left to fester for an extended period of time in your bag will suffer. Hang it on a hook or coat hanger in a dry place between rides.

+Merino

• Wash colours separately.

+WindFoil™ & Thermostat™

• Be sure not to wash with socks, fluffy towels or flannelette sheets. Lint clings to the fleece on the inside of your top making it age before its time.

+Stretch Shorts

• With shorts in particular, cold-water detergents and those with bleach or fabric softner can cause 'nappy-rash' so if you're experiencing issues in that department try a warm 40ºC machine wash and a change of cleaning brew. 
• A washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.
• UV rays accelerate the decay of lycra. Our fabric is knitted so the lycra component lies on the inside of the fabric - shielding it from the sun when you're out riding. Consequently you should avoid drying these shorts inside-out. It's not a bad idea to do so occasionally as the sun does help keep the pad hygienic - although it is treated with an anti-bacterial finish anyway. But drying in this manner is a trade-off with the damage done to the Lycra.
• It's important to avoid using the dryer for any shorts with our eXo™ pad. This can cause the pad to delaminate.
• It's common practice to not wear underwear with your riding shorts so you need to wash your shorts daily. And it's recommended to give your shorts an initial wash when they're new - the eXo™ pad in particular becomes less stiff after the first wash.

+Gloves

• Wash your Chipolatas gloves separately - the synthetic suede can cause havoc staining other clothing.
• Air dry only - no dryers for these puppies.