The correct way to wash your workout clothes

When it comes to separating lights and darks or caring for your favorite wool sweater, you may have the basics down. But, how about the correct way to wash your workout clothes? Your gear needs to keep up with your demanding exercise routines, but in order to do that, you’ll need to show it a little cleaning TLC. 

As you sweat, your workout clothes absorb dead skin cells and oils from your body. And, while that means your exercise apparel is dirtier than your regular clothing, you have to be careful of how you clean it.

When it comes to keeping your activewear performing at its best, you have to take a more gentle cleaning approach and be aware of two important things: the use of detergent and fabric softener. 

Laundry detergent – Many people think the dirtier their clothing is, the more detergent they need to add when washing. However, this is incorrect. Your washing machine is made to handle a specific amount of detergent, and any excess soap that doesn’t get washed out leaves a residue on your clothes. The result? Dead skin cells are trapped inside your activewear, creating a breeding ground for mildew. 

Fabric softener – While fabric softeners were originally created in the early twentieth century as a way to improve the harshness of dyed cotton fibers, that does not mean they work well on many synthetic fabrics today. The liquid solution actually breaks down the elastic fibers that keep your workout clothing stretchy. The fabric softener also leaves a coating, which is difficult to remove, that traps odor and prevents the moisture-wicking fibers from keeping you dry. To help soften your clothes and get rid of smells, add half a cup of white vinegar to your wash cycle. 

Getting your workout gear clean

To get your gear clean and odor-free, while at the same time keeping its shape, follow these six steps:

1. Turn all of your clothes inside out. Not only does this safeguard colors, but it allows your washer to get to the gross stuff that collects inside of your activewear. 
2. To help eliminate odors and break down any filth acquired from your workouts such as sweat stains, soak your gear in cold water and half a cup of white vinegar for 15 to 30 minutes before washing. (Read here for other ways to treat stains naturally). 
3. Use a small amount of laundry detergent. Check the recommended amount for your load size, and use half of that (aim for about a tablespoon). 
4. Wash your clothes in cold water. This will help to prevent shrinkage and keep the clothing textiles intact.  
5. If you really want to make sure your gear stays odor-free, add another half a cup of white vinegar to the wash’s rinse cycle. The vinegar will help neutralize any bacteria that’s causing your gear to smell. 
6. Air dry your clothing, or if you can’t wait for it to dry, use the lowest heat setting on your dryer.  

Synthetic fibers used in workout clothing tend to retain odor easily. Now that you’ve learned how to care for your gear correctly, go ahead and get sweaty, without  worrying how you’ll get the smells out. 

Need a washer and dryer that works as hard as you do in the gym? Find out what Appliance Warehouse can do for you!