I was driving today and saw a rider in a white jersey.

The white jersey was very visible and it occurred to me how little in the environment is white. Is it possible that white is the proverbial "Stylish high-vis?"

All the white I've ever worn gets dingy around the collar. Anti-perspirants tend to discolor the armpits. Etc.

I've been eyeing a white Rapha Pro Team Flyweight jersey for a while but keeping it clean is holding me back. Most manufacturers caution against harsh detergents and bleach.

For those who wear white, how do you keep it clean?


-Tim-

I just bought a Pactimo Jersey in white. Just received so it hasn't been worn yet but I haven't had much sweat stain problems with the high tech fabrics. Mine get washed in a front loader on the "Ultra Handwash" setting with cold water and hang them up to dry.

I did have a long sleeve white jersey that I got caught out in the rain in. The splatter stripe up the back never came clean.

Hang dry.

The dryer heat sets and discolors the antiperspirant left in the pits after washing.

Not just antiperspirants, but some sunscreens can make some nice orange stains.

I hand wash and line dry everything.

Good info guys.

For cycling clothes I use the front loader with Woolite and hang dry already but none of my cycling clothes are white.

I've also switched to a non-staining deodorant, Degree Black and White, not just for cycling clothes.


Interesting. Thanks.

Any idea which don't stain?


-Tim-

It's so hot here in summer (Tucson) that I often buy white jerseys to get any benefit I can muster. Whenever it's an option, I opt for jerseys trimmed in something other than white around the collar because the nasty sweat/sunscreen ring seems impossible to get out.

This random example even has the pits covered!

Are we doing Fashion Shoots and or TV ads now or wearing the kit that makes sense in our local environment and keep it in service w/ routine maintenance like any other clothing one wears?

PS: The Wisk lady is not watching and judging ring around the collar........

I owned a set of Service Dress Whites and a choker jacket. They became dirty within seconds of donning. I couldn't even keep the damn hat clean.

When I was an intern and resident, I wore white pants because it was cool in those days. They always had hints of chain grease on the inside of the right cuff along with the usual body fluids.

In answer to your question, bleach, which was okay on nasty old poly/cotton twill.

Same.

This is my favorite team kit, from 6 or 7 seasons ago.

This.
People are seriously concerned about the possibility of deodorant stains in their armpits?
wow...

I'll say that when I switched from a hi-viz yellow motorcycle helmet to a white helmet I felt that more people noticed me. Anecdotal at best, but I won't go back to any other colored helmet. I also noticed further improvement when I added a safety vest over my motorcycle jacket.

I did just buy a hi-viz yellow bike helmet, and when I start riding on the road I'll probably add a white shirt. The opposite of my motorcycle getup, but considering a bike helmet is significantly smaller and less conspicuous than a full face motorcycle helmet, I'd rather have the larger item -- my shirt -- be white.

I am a white helmet wearer as well. It just seems to 'pop'. Most of my jerseys tend to be black and white combos as I like neutrals and monochrome in most things. I think simple patterns, think block-y, stand out better than busy multicolored which tend to become more camo-esque when moving fast and darting around.

Solid white is anything is tough to keep pristine, same goes for street clothes. maybe I’m just a slob or live in a dirty city.

I do have several jerseys with white panels. Washing as soon as possible help keeps whites bright, and occasionally i’ll add a small scoop of Oxy clean to washer with my cycling clothes, without ill effect, but you didn’t hear this from me.

A lot of people can pull white off, I don't think I'm one of them. Great color to have on in the hot sun. Other cyclists wear it sometimes and a big patch of white does seem to be more noticeable.

I have some non-cycling high tech gear that I go out and sweat in and a lot of the newer fabrics seem to hold up really well to this.

I have two white cycling tops: one a Champion long sleeve UV tee, no pockets; the other a Bontrager Circuit jersey.

Mostly I got them for our hottest, sunniest days. But they do offer pretty good visibility without getting into the hi-viz yellow/green/orange safety uniform colors. I usually notice white jerseys at a distance better than darker colors. Anything is better than black. Sure, it looks good. But I wish my cycling friends understood that they're almost invisible wearing black, even in daylight. If they edge ride, they blend into the background under the shade from roadside trees. Almost any color is better, even green despite blending a bit into background foliage.

I usually handwash my dedicated cycling apparel -- usually Tide or Gain, giving about 20 minutes soak in a bucket in the tub with warm water. I'll use an enzyme pre-treat spray on the collars and armpits. Or just pour a little extra laundry soap on those areas and let it sit a minute before tossing into the bucket or washing machine.

If you have a washing machine with a long cycle for delicates, that's good enough. The trick is to give the enzymes in good laundry detergents enough time to work. They work best with 20-30 minute wash cycles or soaks. The long delicate cycles usually soak for that long, with only a few gentle agitations. Same thing I do with handwashing.

The Champion material is a little harder to clean. Some stains need spot treatment, probably where i splattered food or beverages. But it's cheaper material and costs around $10-$15 per shirt.

I seldom use antiperspirants or deodorants, so no problems with chemical stains. But I do use a lot of analgesic balms on my neck and shoulders for old injuries. Those can stain. The long soak in good detergent helps. Ditto pre-treat sprays.

Hydrogen peroxide usually gets any residual stains -- sweat, blood, whatever. Might take a few treatments. I've had kids and cats, so I've used the hydrogen peroxide treatment many times over the years to get stains out of bedding and mattresses. Seems to work best with real cotton balls, so I save those from every pill bottle for household cleaning later.







Bontrager Circuit jersey. Looks okay, fairly subtle black graphics. Good material, breathes and cleans well. It may be discontinued now.

Is it acceptable to wear a white jersey before Memorial Day and after Labor day?

Interesting to read the opinions on visibility and white, this was something I was worrying about. I've been wearing an Under Armour long sleeve heat gear shirt. Totally revolutionized my summer riding. I'll wear it from 70°f to 100°f and it performs incredibly. Even with sunblock I used to have heat fatigue but not anymore!

I just toss it into the wash and dry it to a crisp. It doesn't have noticable stains, but it's also probably not as 'ice white' as it first was. I'm not as meticulous with my clothing but I have yet to have a stain noticably set in. It's still in great shape coming into the second season.

I have one of those Champions also, it's just a little heavier then my Under Armour long sleeve.

I wish my climate allowed me to do that!

Evidently any with Avobenzone, which is probably a good number of them. The best advice is to apply the sunscreen (especially if you wear it under your clothes - ie. mesh summer wear) at least 15 minutes before putting on your gear so that it's completely absorbed into the skin.

Great conversation, Thanks.

Apparently Thinksport doesn't contain Avobenzone and is highly rated. I might pick up some tonight. It is in stock at the local REI and I'm heading there anyway to pick up an order.


-Tim-

Sounds good.. though lotions like that are instead made with zinc oxide and provide white stains.. so avoid using with dark clothing.

The replica KOM jerseys for the TdF are pretty darn visible. White and red dots. Lol. Can't miss that.

Especially a good one for pissing off the Velominati lovers.

We can't win!!!

Franciscans have it right. Just wear grey all the time.


-Tim-

I have a number of white jerseys. A couple of mountain bike and one road bike style. They are probably a little dingy, but I've had them for years and years and don't really care. I wash in machine and line dry.

I have a couple of cheap white jerseys that I wear periodically. The most effective way to clean - a pot of hot water on the stove (near boiling). Takes care of most everything, especially the funk that comes with plastic clothes.

I won't do that with my good jerseys though. Front load washer and hang to dry with anything nice(ish).