How to Care for Your Workout Clothes

 

If you’re an avid exerciser like me, you’re likely faced with smelly workout gear once in awhile (or on the regular) and you’re wondering, just how to care for your workout clothes to keep them smelling fresh and clean. Yep, so was I. It seemed I had tried everything and yet, more often than not, I was throwing away my favorite – and expensive – tops and tanks because of “baked in” sweat. 

Then I realized that my workout clothes didn’t have to be disposable. With a few simple tweaks to the way I was caring for my gym clothes, I discovered that they would last a lot longer and smell fresher workout-to-workout. 

Keep in mind that gym clothes are typically made from spandex and lycra which is great for wicking sweat away from your body during a workout, but these fabrics are perfect for trapping bacteria-laden sweat in the fibers post-workout making them difficult to clean. To wash workout garments effectively, water has to penetrate the fibers which is close to impossible.

All hope isn’t lost. Here is some practical advice for how to care for your workout clothes that saved my fitness wardrobe and my wallet. 

One // Wash as soon as possible. If you can wash your workout clothes immediately after your sweat session, do it! Clothes that sit around in the hamper or laundry room are a mecca for locked-in smelly sweat. If you can’t wash your clothes immediately, resist shoving them into a plastic bag or hamper to sit all day. Let them air out. 

Two // Use less detergent. It’s tempting to add more detergent to rid the smell, but stick with the recommended amount or less and don’t cram too much into one load. I know, you’re time-pressed, but resist. 

Three // Use the right detergent. This was the big game-changer for me. I had tried a ton of sport-specific detergents and using my usual detergent didn’t work on my gym clothes like it did on my street clothes. Then I tried Persil ProClean Power Liquid 2in1 and it did the trick. Persil has a Pro-Lift Technology that is 100 percent effective in fighting stains so it’s not only great for your workout gear, but it can also be used for your everyday laundry. 

Four // Avoid fabric softener. It’s a killer for stretchy clothes and a champ at trapping smells. Save it for your t-shirts and skip it on your workout gear. 

Five // Hang dry. Likewise, the dryer dries out those stretchy fibers. Set your dryer to tumble or else line dry your clothes to keep them fresh. 

Six // Go natural. Amp things up by soaking your sweaty clothes in a bucket of white vinegar and water before washing. Or you can run a load on delicate with cold water and add a 1/2 to 1 cup of white vinegar. Alternatively, you can try adding a cup of baking soda to your washer as it fills along with your detergent of choice. 

Have you experienced the dreaded smelly workout clothes? What are some of your tricks for how to care for your workout clothes? Have you tried any of these? 

This post is sponsored by Persil. All opinions are my own.