A new year brings new fitness goals and maybe even some cute new workout clothes to encourage you on your way to achieving those goals. But with those goals comes a whole new problem: Your gym clothes need to be washed, and they need to be washed in a very specific way to make sure they last, last, and importantly. than not going out and still smelling. like last week’s filming class.
We consulted experts to ask about the do’s and don’ts of washing exercise clothes, from the right washing machine settings to use to the best detergent for the job – and what to do about scary permastink.
Washing your gym clothes as clean as possible starts as soon as you take off those sweaty clothes.
If your setup allows it, it’s a good idea to let your gym clothes dry before tossing them in a garment bag or laundry bag; When damp clothes pile up, they grow odor-causing bacteria. A mesh laundry compartment that allows air to circulate can also help damp clothes dry better, preventing odor-causing bacteria from taking root in fabrics.
Jennifer Chevchek, vice president of design at Fables, speak. The inside of your workout gear is also where body dirt like sweat and dead skin contribute to odor build-up, so washing your clothes from the inside out will help the water and detergent clean more deeply.
Do not wash exercise clothes with towels, sweats, fleece, and other mint fabrics. “We recommend avoiding washing your workout clothes with products that are rough like denim or clothes with hardware like zippers or Velcro,” adds Chevchek.
- Let clothes dry and sweat
- Turn inside out
- Avoid washing your gym clothes with heavy, decorative or faded items
How to wash and dry gym clothes
Washing workout clothes is simple and more or less expensive – you might be surprised to discover that the biggest mistake people make when washing their workout clothes is using too much detergent.
“We recommend machine washing in cold water with similar colors,” says Chevchek. Use a gentle or delicate cycle, and do not overfill the machine’s drum to allow the clothes to move, allowing the water and detergent to fully penetrate the fibers.
When it comes to detergents, you don’t need a specialized product to wash your gym clothes – but there can be a good one. Although the type of detergent you use is not important, how much detergent you use To be important. “Don’t use too much detergent!” Cheryl Nelson, a lifestyle expert who shares prep tips on her website, Prepare with Cher. “Too much detergent will make your clothes difficult to clean, which can lead to more build-up, causing sweat and fungus.” Excess detergent will leave product buildup, contributing to odors on clean clothes and making your workout clothes look shabby.
Similarly, there are products you should avoid using altogether when washing your gym clothes. “Be sure to avoid fabric softeners or bleach,” says Chevchek.
Chevchek recommends using a mesh underwear laundry bag to prolong the life of your sports bra, adding, “removing the pads from your sports bra will also help keep it in shape and maintain its shape. great state”.
While machine drying isn’t the best option for workout gear, this is what most people will use and that’s okay – as long as you use the right dryer settings. Always choose a low or no heat setting to help preserve elasticity and avoid odors. “Hot air, like hot water, can also break down fabric elasticity, leading to shrinkage and shorter clothing life,” says Nelson. “Hot air can also amplify odors.”
The experts we spoke to agree that air drying is the best choice for workout clothes. “We recommend hanging or laying flat to dry. We also recommend keeping light fabrics separate when wet,” says Chevchek, to avoid dye transfer and splatter from light clothes to lighter colors.
- Wash exercise clothes in cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle
- Put sports bras in a protective mesh laundry bag
- Do not use too much detergent
- Avoid using fabric softeners or bleach
- Air-dry or machine-dry on low or no heat setting
How to treat – and avoid! – scary ‘permastink’
If you’ve followed all of these guidelines, you’ll never have a problem with permastink – the term for when your new gym clothes come out of the washing machine and still smell like last week’s workout. There are a number of factors that contribute to workout clothes ‘out of the wash’ and a simple way to remedy when it happens.
“It’s important to avoid leaving sweaty clothes in the bag for too long,” says Chevchek. “Letting your clothes dry after a workout is key to not letting bacteria build up.” Taking care not to use too much detergent and avoiding fabric softeners and high-heat drying will also help ensure that product build-up on clothes doesn’t lead to odor retention.
Fabric softener is especially important to avoid when washing synthetic fabrics. “Most fabric softeners contain silicone,” explains Chevchek, “which can clog tiny pores in the fabric and reduce its ability to inhibit moisture. In addition, using too much detergent can prevent water from running clean and contribute to buildup on clothes. ”
When product build-up damage occurs, Nelson offers this simple fix: “Add half to a cup of distilled white vinegar to the wash and use half the amount of detergent.” Vinegar will help break up buildup and remove odors from clinging to fibers, and since you’re trying to wash away excess detergent, you’ll only need half the usual dose to get your clothes clean.
- To avoid odors in clean clothes, do not use too much detergent
- Never use liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets when washing workout clothes
- Air dry or use a low temperature dryer cycle
- Use white vinegar to wash your face to deal with residual odors
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