How to wash + care for your accessory bags

By: kyle kirby

There’s nothing like a great adventure on the bike. Regardless of whether you’re hitting the dirt or riding the road, your accessory bag might need some TLC after a long day in the saddle. Whether you spill drink mix on the outside of your bag, went through one-too-many mud puddles, or wiped your greasy hands on the outer fabric of your frame bag after dealing with a dropped chain (we’ve all been there…), your bag might need a wash from time to time.

We’ve compiled some tips for giving your product the care it deserves.

Recommended Cleaning Techniques:

For light cleaning, you can simply wipe the inner and outer fabrics with a damp cloth to remove a light layer of dust, dirt, and stains.

If your ride got a bit rowdier than expected and you find yourself needing a more in-depth cleaning, hand washing is the quickest and most effective method. Hand wash the bag using soap and lukewarm water. (Make sure to scrub out that weird sticky spot from where your empty gel wrapper oozed out…) Give the bag a solid rinse after washing, and check to make sure there aren’t fabric fibers stuck in the zipper teeth before closing the zipper. Avoid scrubbing vigorously to prevent scuffing and discoloration of the outer fabrics.

If you’re running short on time and want to kill two birds with one stone, toss your bag into the washing machine with your sweaty kit and other laundry. Our accessory bags are safe to go through a standard washing machine; just pay mind to any zippers on the bag that may get caught on other garments. It might be a good idea to toss your Orucase bag into a zippered laundry bag before washing.

Drying:

Allow the bag to air dry in a well-ventilated area with the main zipper pocket opened. We don’t recommend putting your bags into a clothes dryer as the high temperatures might negatively impact the outer fabrics or YKK zippers.

Zipper Care:

Keep the zippers clean by wiping them gently with a damp cloth. If you feel the zipper mechanism getting stiff, you can apply a small amount of lubricant to ensure smooth operation. It's best to avoid overstuffing your bag in order to limit stress to the zipper mechanism, which can lead to failure over time.

Taking your bags off of your bike for cleaning can be a great time to check for any signs of wear or potential damage. Our products are known for durability and strength thanks to the high-quality materials we use, but they’re not invincible. Inspect the exposed stitches and zipper to make sure everything is in good condition before attaching the bags for your next adventure!

Customization:

If you’re like me, looking cool is more important than going fast. One of the easiest ways to add style is with a bit of accessorization. Sure, our bags might be enough of an accessory for some, but adding a bit of personal touch in the form of patches or buttons can be a creative way to make them more unique.

Stitched-on patches and buttons are pretty straightforward; the only type of customization that may require extra attention is with iron-on patches. When attaching iron-on patches, use a low heat setting on your iron and always place a soft fabric between the iron itself and your accessory bag/patch. Avoid ironing near your zipper, as this part of the bag is most susceptible to heat-related damage.

Remember: proper care will extend the life of your accessory bag and keep it looking and performing its best so you can do the same!

Got any tips or tricks for how you care for your bags? Do anything unique that we didn’t mention? Send them our way at info@orucase.com, and we’ll share some of our favorites!