i had a gu gel burst in my back pocket so i had to throw my kit in the wash today...before i put in, i happened to glance at the laundry directions...does anyone know why it says to connect the zipper and zip it all the way up before washing? I've just never heard of this...Ive washed jerseys a bunch of times without pulling up the zipper...just wondering if anyone knew why they said to do this

Probably to keep the zipper teeth from abrading the fabric.

Or any other fabrics. Zipper teeth are best suited to be touching other zipper teeth. That said, I've washed thousands of things with zippers unzipped and have never had an issue.

Technically you're supposed to zip all zippers before laundering clothing. Not just cycling clothing. I never do. My kits (and clothing) come out just fine.

Just something they can ding you with if you call to claim warranty.

I never zip up either. When the kit comes off, it goes in the hamper and then into the washing machine with no further thought about it. I've been doing this for 20+ years and never had a problem.

Cycling jerseys have warranties?

Virtually all of my clothing, including riding clothes, is washed zipped and turned inside out. I also put the riding clothes in nylon mesh bags to keep them separated from other items. Stuff is too expensive to not do this...

Yes, this is the best way. My late wife kept all her clothes looking practically new for a long time doing the above. An automatic clothes dryer is hard on clothes. My cycling clothes never go in the dryer. Socks, yes, but nothing else.

Also helps prevent the clothes from getting tangled. I always zip the zippers -- after I pull everything out of the dryer!

Sounds like a single guy. Unwritten rule of married guys, accidentally/intentionally screw up a load of laundry within the first month or so of the ceremony and you will be banned from laundry duty under all but emergency situations. Never heard the zipper thing though but the serious responses seem to make sense.

I just washed all my clothes/kits ONE load/ im friggin lazy single guy....

I also 'connect' all velcro patches to their counter-parts, I had a pair of gloves connect to just about everything else in the washer one time...

Yep - naked Velcro can be dangerous to cycling kit. I have a really nice DeMarchi winter jacket that has an ugly scar from a stray glove's Velcro. Luckily the scar is on the flap of fabric that's inside/behind the jacket's zipper so it's not visible when the zip is fastened and zipped up over 4" or so.

Yes, I usually put something like gloves in their own lingerie bag when washing...

I never wash my bike clothes in the washer, I just stomp on them a few times in the bottom of the shower after the ride, wring them out, then hang them up to air dry.

I do this if I'm in a hurry. Today I washed my kit in the sink with oxyclean. I did it twice because the water was so gross. I guess riding on the side of the road while being passed by 18 wheelers isn't conducive to staying clean. My Giordanas specifically state that pilling from zippers is considered a natural aspect of the fabric.

Oh hell. Yet another cycling-related thing I've been doing wrong.

Is that the exact text? Just curious. I wouldn't think it would be pilling. Abrasion, yes, and therefore loss of material but not pilling. Odd...

I wash all my cycling gear by hand using Woolite.

Yes, it specifically states pilling.

Haven't you heard? Everytime you operate a zipper half a cent is donated to the Canadian Inventors guild. You should go out of your way to thank us. 501's are really only cool on jeans.