When you go to the gym or out for a run or compete in an event, odds are good that you’re wearing workout attire made of “performance fabric,” or a combination of synthetic fibers. If you choose cotton fabrics, the sweat that builds from a workout won’t go away and will gradually weigh down your clothes throughout the rest of our workout.
While performance gear helps keep us cool and comfortable, it can get pretty expensive when compared with cotton fabrics, and it requires a bit of special care when we clean it. And let’s face it: workout attire can get unbearably stinky as a result of the materials, is far more fragile when compared with cotton and needs to be washed after wearing!
How Can You Take Care of Your Workout Attire?
So what’s the best way to take care of your workout attire? And is it worth it? Yes! With the tips below, you’ll be able to take the best care of your fancy duds in the laundry room. You can help prolong the life of your clothes, protect your “gym lifestyle investment” and keep them smelling fresh for several sweaty sessions in your future.
- Use less detergent and opt for sports-based brands: Too much detergent can prevent your clothes from absorbing the optimal amount of water when they’re being laundered. Same goes for fabric softener! You actually can create a thin coating that blocks the workout attire from being cleaned. And there are detergents specifically designed for cleaning your workout gear that won’t wreak as much havoc as basic detergents.
- Don’t forget about your clothes: If you let your performance fabrics pile up and forget to wash them for several days, you’re going to be dealing with a stinky mess. I promise! Your nose will thank you on this one.
- Use white vinegar: Diluting white vinegar in a 1:4 ratio with water and pre-washing/soaking your workout clothes for an hour before your throw them in the laundry can eliminate most odors.
- Be gentle with warm water and heat: I’d suggest opting for a cold water wash and low heat or the air-dry cycle when drying. Heat usually breaks down synthetic fabrics.
- Pay attention to the washing instructions: Your workout attire will have labels that suggest care options. Read them—they’re there for a reason!
- Line dry or air-dry sports bras and shoes: Too much heat can break down the supportive nature of these specific items and eventually defeat their entire purpose. Save your money and let nature dry them instead!
