The great summer weather is the perfect time for long cycling trips alone or with friends. Although for many people, the bike is simply a means of communication in the city, it is worth seeing more of its
Activity zone 4F
In this zone, your heart rate rises at the mere thought of the next workout. You'll find the best ways to exercise effectively, discover new disciplines, and choose an outfit that suits your needs. We'll also guide you through the clothing care process and advise what to buy for enthusiasts of various sports. Our blog is a guide for everyone who wants to feel motivation 4 times more!
4F Compendium – how to wash sports clothing and footwear

Sportswear and footwear only fulfil their function if they are used as intended. Also, keep in mind the correct cleaning and maintenance procedures, which are different for jackets, underwear, shoes or sports accessories. We have prepared for you a compendium that includes information on how to take care of various parts of your sports clothing, from footwear to fleece or softshell jackets. Test your knowledge about the cleaning and maintenance of sportswear and extend its life even twice!
- How to clean sports, urban and trekking shoes, and flip-flops?
- How to wash fleece jackets and sweatshirts?
- How to clean and impregnate waterproof clothing with membrane – softshell jackets, functional jackets and ski wear
- How to wash winter jackets?
- How to wash thermal and functional underwear?
- How to wash swimsuits?
- How to wash sports accessories – hats, scarves, gloves, and sports socks?
- How to wash an urban backpack or sports bag?
- Great washing of sportswear
In this article
- 👟 How to clean sports shoes: Remove excess dirt with a soft-bristled brush, then clean the fabric surface with warm water and clothing detergent. Avoid soaking the shoes and let them dry at room temperature.
- 👕 How to wash fleece jackets and sweatshirts: Wash in the washing machine or by hand using a washing powder or liquid laundry detergent. Set the wash program to synthetics and dry the garment away from heat sources.
- ☔️ How to clean and impregnate waterproof clothing with membrane: Wash in the washing machine or by hand without the spin cycle using a specialized detergent. Avoid fabric softeners and use waterproofing sprays after washing.
- ❄️ How to wash winter jackets: Wash in the washing machine using a delicate wash and spin program. Use a small amount of laundry liquid or powder and avoid fabric softeners, stain removers, and bleach. Add 3-4 tennis balls to the drum to eliminate clumping of the filling and use an extra rinse cycle. Dry the jackets unzipped and away from heat sources.
- 🏊♀️ How to wash swimsuits: Rinse after getting out of the water and wash according to the recommendations on the label, preferably at a low temperature using mild detergents. Use special laundry balls to protect the swimsuit from damage if washing with other clothing.
- 🧦 How to wash socks and hats without a membrane: Wash at a temperature of 30°C and low spin speed, without fabric softeners.
- 🧢 How to wash hats with a membrane: Clean with a damp cloth soaked in warm soapy water, or soak the hat completely. Rinse well and dry by hanging it out away from heat sources.
- 🎒 How to wash an urban backpack or sports bag: Wash by hand with mild detergents. Depending on the size, you can clean the dirt with a cloth or soak the backpack completely. Pay special attention to the hip belt and cushions on the back. You can also use specialized laundry detergents.
- 🧼 Wash and maintain sportswear, footwear, and accessories regularly: Follow the washing instructions on the label.
Short summary
How to clean sports, urban and trekking shoes, and flip-flops?
Women's or men's sports shoes made of fabrics should be cleaned in several steps. First, remove excess dirt with a soft bristle brush – especially dirt accumulated in the grooves in the sole. Then clean the fabric surface with warm water and clothing detergents. Try not to soak the whole shoes to avoid damaging their shape. Finally, remove the detergent with a damp cloth. Sports shoes should dry at room temperature, away from any heat sources.
If you want to clean urban footwear made of artificial leather, wipe its surface with a dampened cloth without detergents or with mild cleaners such as grey soap. Do not wipe leather footwear with a dry cloth, as it may cause scratches.
NOTE: Tough stains, such as oil, beverage or food stains, should be removed immediately so as not to leave permanent discolouration on the surface of the footwear regardless of its material.
Women's and men's trekking shoes should be cleaned in a similar way to sports shoes, but in this case, you should consider using waterproofing products to improve their water resistance.
All you need to do with rubber shoes such as men's slides or flip flops is to wash them in warm water with soap. If there are any black scratches on it, try to remove them with a pencil eraser.

How to wash fleece jackets and sweatshirts?
To preserve the properties of fleece jackets and women's sweatshirts, take special care of them during the cleaning process. You can wash them in the washing machine or by hand, depending on your preferences. When washing in the washing machine, turn the garment inside out and fasten all zippers. Sweatshirts as well as fleece jackets can be washed with other clothing, but keep in mind that a strong colour may stain other clothes. Wash the fleece jackets using washing powder, and set the wash programme to synthetics. Otherwise, set the laundry temperature to 30o C. Before proceeding, always check the washing instructions on the label.
After completing the cleaning steps, dry the fleece jacket or sweatshirt by hanging it out away from heat sources. Alternatively, you can use a tumble dryer set to low speed.

How to clean and impregnate waterproof clothing with membrane – softshell jackets, functional jackets and ski wear

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Women's knitted leggings - grey
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HIIT women's training shoes - grey
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Women's windproof softshell jacket 5000 membrane - green
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Women's regular plain T-shirt - white
View productSpecialised clothing with a membrane can be washed by hand or in a washing machine without the spin cycle – of course, taking into account the recommendations on the product label. First of all, before washing, check the pockets and fasten all the zippers and fasteners. It is advisable to initially wash the most soiled areas on a men's ski jacket or softshell jacket in advance, for example, in grey soap. Washing membrane jackets does not cause them to lose their properties – quite the contrary. Excess dirt and dust clog the membrane micropores, weakening its protective and breathable properties.
Clothing with a membrane should be washed using specialised detergents – liquid laundry detergent or clothing waterproofing liquid. Do not use any fabric softeners. After the washing process, it is a good idea to use waterproofing sprays to improve the properties of the garment. Dry clothing by hanging it out away from heat sources.
Do not iron, dry clean, bleach or soak your sportswear before washing. You can find detailed information on how to wash membrane garments with the above-mentioned agents in our previous tip.
How to wash winter jackets?
How to wash winter jackets – jackets lined with natural down or synthetic insulation?
Wash urban jackets, including down jackets, following the instructions on the label. By observing the rules of use and maintenance, you can maintain the long-lasting functionality and aesthetics of the garment.
It is recommended to wash winter jackets in a washing machine using a delicate wash and spin programme. Optimal washing temperature: 30°C, optimal spin speed: 400-600. Wash your jacket separately, that is, without any extra load, after zipping it up and turning it inside out. Do not overuse the detergent – a small amount of laundry liquid or powder is sufficient. Do not add fabric softeners, stain removers or bleach. We recommend adding 3-4 tennis balls to the drum to eliminate clumping of the filling. It is also worth using an extra rinse cycle to remove any detergent residue.
It is advisable to dry the jackets after unzipping them, preferably in a well-ventilated place and away from any heat source. Dry jackets lined with natural down or synthetic insulation after laying them flat and spreading out, regularly shaking them until they have fully regained their body. It is worth noting that the drying process of such products can take up to 2 weeks.
For more information on how to wash a down jacket, see our previous tip.
- Wash the jacket after zipping it up, turning it inside out, with a delicate wash cycle (down; gentle), spin cycle (maximum 600 rpm), and temperature (optimally – 30oC), using a small amount of laundry liquid or powder. Do not use any fabric softener, stain remover and bleach. Add 3-4 tennis balls to the washing machine to eliminate the clumping of the jacket filling.
- Dry the jacket after unzipping it, laying it flat and spreading out, away from heat sources. Dry down jackets in a well-ventilated place, regularly shaking them until they have fully dried and regained their body; moisture can cause mould and odour.

How to wash thermal and functional underwear?
Women's thermal underwear and men's functional underwear do not cause any major problems during washing. Take care of them regularly, as they are the first layer of clothing in contact with the skin. To keep them functional for as long as possible, you should wash them in baby laundry powder, grey soap, soap flakes or specialised products for thermal underwear washing. Do not use fabric softeners.
It is always safest to wash them by hand and in a washing machine at a temperature of 30oC. The spin cycle should be set to a low speed that will not adversely affect the garment. As in other cases, dry thermal clothing away from heat sources.

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Men's seamless thermal underwear with Merino wool (top) - black
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Men's seamless thermal underwear with Merino wool (bottom) - blac...
View productHow to wash swimsuits?
Always rinse men's swim trunks and swimsuits after getting out of the water to remove chlorine, sand, and sunscreen that can adversely affect the material. Wash swimsuits according to the recommendations on the label – preferably at a low temperature using mild detergents. If you are washing your swimsuit with other clothing, it is safest to use special laundry balls to protect it from damage.
How to wash sports accessories – hats, scarves, gloves, and sports socks?
Wash sports accessories according to the recommendations based on the technology and material used. Gloves or sports socks without a membrane can be washed the same way as other sportswear – at a temperature of 30oC and low spin speed, without fabric softeners. Clean the hats with a membrane in the same way as jackets and other garments using this technology.
How to wash an urban backpack or sports bag?
The urban backpack, bicycle backpack, and sports bag are best washed by hand with mild detergents. Depending on the size of the backpack or bag, you can clean the dirt with a cloth soaked in warm soapy water or completely soak the backpack. It is worth paying special attention to the hip belt and cushions on the back. To wash backpacks, you can also use specialised laundry detergents that will speed up your procedures.
After cleaning, it is essential to rinse the backpack or bag well and dry it by hanging it out away from heat sources. If you want their surface to be more resistant to water and dirt, you can use dedicated waterproofing agents.
NOTE: Before cleaning, empty your pockets and shake your backpack well.
Great washing of sportswear
Wash and maintain sportswear, footwear and accessories depending on how often you use them and how dirty they are. However, always remember to follow the washing instructions on the label. It is the only way to avoid damage to clothes and ensure their long life.
Is everything washed and cleaned? Check out the new range of women's and men's clothing you will wear to your favourite sports activities!
1️⃣ How to wash sports shoes?
2️⃣ How to wash sports clothes?
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