Technical cycling apparel represents a significant investment, and the specialized fabrics that make it perform—compression panels, moisture-wicking materials, chamois pads—don't respond well to standard laundry detergent. The surfactants and optical brighteners in conventional detergents can coat technical fibers, degrading breathability and moisture management over time. Assos developed their Active Wear Cleanser specifically for this problem, formulating a detergent that cleans cycling kit without compromising the fabric technologies you paid for.

The cleanser works on the full range of technical cycling apparel: bib shorts, jerseys, base layers, gloves, and accessories. It's particularly relevant for chamois care, where residue buildup from standard detergents can affect the pad's moisture management and contribute to skin irritation on longer rides. The formula rinses clean without leaving behind the coating that makes technical fabrics feel stiff or less breathable after repeated washes.

Assos recommends hand washing or using a delicate machine cycle with cold water, which aligns with best practices for extending the life of compression fabrics and elastic materials. The cleanser works in both scenarios, producing enough cleaning action to remove sweat, road grime, and chamois cream residue without the aggressive chemistry that breaks down Lycra and elastane over time.... Read More