How to wash your gym gear so it smells fresh and lasts longer
By Kimberly Gillan|
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Gym gear can be expensive, so you want it to last a long time and not end up with a bacteria build-up that stinks before you've even worked out.
Here's how to keep your gear looking and smelling like new.
Wash it quickly
As tempting as it might be to accrue a week's worth of gym gear before you turn on the washing machine, Bishal Subedi, head cleaner at Laundromap.com, says the sooner you wash your sweaty gym gear, the better.
"It is always best to wash your workout garments straight away to achieve the best results against stubborn stains, including sweat," he tells Coach.
"In a perfect world, put them straight into the wash on the same day, but if you can't, the next day will be fine."
If you're a morning exerciser, then doing your washing as soon as you get home is a good idea.
"This is when your water pipes and hot water systems run at the most efficient temperatures, which can prevent garment shrinkage and potential colour runs," Subedi says.
"Early morning washing is effective for electricity savings too."
Wash your gym gear inside out too, to best remove the smelly bacteria that's travelled from your skin onto the inside of your gear.
Use minimal detergent
You might think that putting some extra scoops of detergent in the wash will boost its cleaning ability but nothing could be further from the truth.
"Too much detergent will leave a build-up of soap in the garment, which can actually attract dirt and grime as the item becomes more tacky [so] dirt is able to adhere to the item," Subedi says.
"We suggest to use one scoop – 110ml – of standard laundry powder for a regular load of 7.5kg."
Generally, Subedi says powder detergent is best for cotton and liquid detergent is best for wool and delicates.
"Always follow the care label on your garment for the correct cleaning instructions," Subedi says.
If you have a really tough stain or deodorant build-up, Subedi says you might need to see a dry cleaner who could use a specialised dry cleaning chemical.
Wash after wear
The more sweat and deodorant that builds up on your gear, the more likely it is to stain or smell so from a clothes-cleaning perspective, it's usually best not to wear the same gear for too many successive sweat sessions without washing.
"Sweat and deodorant stains will leach deeper into the fabric and can change the colouration of the material the longer they are left unwashed," Subedi says.
Given most gym gear is elasticised, Subedi generally recommends hand washing or using a gentle cycle and hanging the items to dry.
Use cold water
Most gym gear will benefit from being washed in cold water.
"For dark colours and most workout garment materials it is recommended to use cold water below 30 degrees celsius as hot washes might shrink gym garments," Subedi says.
"Hot washes are generally only for gym towels and some light-coloured cotton items."
Dry in the sun
One of the oldest clothes cleaning tricks in the book is using sunshine, which can work as both a bleach and disinfectant, provided your clothes are left to completely dry. (If you pack them away damp then bacteria can propagate in the damp conditions.)
"Soaking stained and problematic garments and hanging them to dry in the sun will also help to eliminate odours and bacteria," Subedi says.
Use your Nana's old tricks
White vinegar and baking soda are age-old cleaning ingredients that can also help workout gear stay fresh.
"For eliminating odour, try adding a quarter-cup to a half-cup – depending on load size – of white vinegar or baking soda to the wash," cleaning expert Jolie Kerr writes on NYTimes.com.
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