It doesn’t take a gym rat to know that workout clothes require special cleaning care. Often made of sweat wicking materials like
spandex,and polyester, it’s not uncommon for our exercise gear—even cotton ones—to get (and stay) stinky.
To help you take better care of your beloved gym clothes, we broke down some of the best things you can do to keep your workout gear looking and
feeling fresh for longer. From vinegar soaks to specially formulated detergents, here are nine things you probably didn’t know about washing your
workout clothes.
1. You should let your clothes breathe before washing
While your initial thought might be bury your smelly gym clothes at the bottom of your hamper, letting them air out before washing them will make them much
easier to clean. When you take them off, hang your dirty workout garments somewhere they can dry out (away from clean clothes) to make getting the odors out
at laundry time a breeze.
2. Pre-soaking in vinegar helps
A little bit of vinegar can go a long way when washing your gym clothes. For an especially foul-smelling load of clothes, soak your clothes in a half a cup of white
vinegar mixed with cold water for at least an hour before washing. This will help remove unpleasant odors and break down sweat stains and buildup.
3. Wash your gym clothes in cold water
Believe it or not, hot water might hurt your dirty gym clothes more than it could help. Extreme heat can actually break down the elasticity of stretchy textiles, like
the material of your yoga pants and running shorts, leading to shrinkage and a shorter lifespan for your clothes.
4. Don’t machine dry them either
Just like hot water can hinder the longevity of your gym clothes, so can hot air. So instead of drying your workout gear on high heat in the dryer, consider air
drying them out on a special hanger or clothes rack, or at least using the lowest possible heat setting.
5. Stay away from fabric softener
Post time: Jun-26-2021