How to Wash Gym Clothes and Conquer Sweat Odour
People who work out to maintain a healthy and fit physique can relate to how tough it is to keep gym outfits clean and durable. The accumulation of smelly odours and sweat gets deep into the fibres and starts causing damage. The bacteria that cause health issues, such as skin infections, are common. So, if you want to protect yourself and keep your outfits clean, contact an expert cleaner like Love2Laundry.
We guide our customers on which cleaning supplies to use and how often to wash gym clothes. This way, people can maintain gym clothes without harming the fabric and preserving their quality.
So, if you want to know how to wash gym clothes that smell, here are the details.
Why Gym Dirty Workout Clothes Need Special Care
There are multiple reasons why gym outfits need special care after an intense workout session. First thing you should understand is that gym garments are manufactured from synthetic fabrics like spandex, polyester, and nylon. So when the sweat dries, it forms odours that stick to the fibres.
Improper washing techniques, using less-effective detergents, and not choosing the right washing cycle are also reasons odours can still harm your clothes. So, you should look for an effective procedure on how to wash gym clothes that smell.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wash Gym Clothes
When it comes to learning how to wash gym clothes properly, a step-by-step guide is essential. That’s because it can prevent damage and help you use the right materials to remove bacteria and stains properly.
So, once you understand the correct temperature to wash athletic clothes, here are the steps to follow.
1. Air Out Gym Clothes Immediately
The first step for how to wash gym clothes is to air them out properly. Trapped moisture there encourages bacteria and smell to set in. Instead, hang the clothes up or lay them flat in an open space immediately after a workout. This ensures that odours do not set in much and the fabric remains fresher up to wash day.
2. Separate Your Gym Laundry
Always maintain a clear division in laundries: gym clothes should never be washed along with normal clothing. Activewear often contains a combination of sweat, oils, and bacteria that can transfer to other fabrics. Keeping your workout clothes separate ensures they are cleaned more thoroughly and helps maintain the fabric’s wicking and stretchy properties.
3. Turn Clothes Inside Out Before Washing
Most of the sweat, body oils, and bacteria build up inside your gym clothes. So, turning clothes inside out while washing would help detergent and water penetrate into those areas. This would also protect the printed logos, bright colours, and delicate outer fabrics from wear and fading.
4. Pre-Soak in Vinegar or Baking Soda
Go for quicker pre-soaking for the gym clothes with vinegar or baking soda in order to neutralise annoying odours. Dissolve ½ cup of white vinegar or baking soda in a basin of cool water, and soak your clothes for about 30 minutes. Either will naturally decompose sweat residues and deodorise fabrics without using harsh chemicals. A laundry sanitiser for germ-free clothes would also be effective.
5. Use a Sports-Specific or Gentle Detergent
Enzyme-based and formulated for activewear detergent should be selected in preference. Activewear detergents do antibacterial work on body odour bacteria or sweat residues while ensuring gentleness on pliable moisture-wicking materials. Heavy-duty detergents should be avoided, as they can ethically strip or weaken the fibres of performance fabrics over time.
6. Avoid Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets
Forget about using fabric-softening products, whether liquid or sheet type. Fabric softeners tend to coat the fibres, interrupting their natural moisture-wicking ability and locking in odours. Over time, such a build-up will lead to odour-sensitive fabric. White vinegar can be used in the rinse cycle instead; it naturally softens clothes without leaving any residue.
7. Wash in Cold Water on Gentle Cycle
Cold washing is recommended and suitable for gym clothes to remove sweaty odours. It also prevents shrinkage and keeps colours vivid and elasticity intact. Gentle washing with cold water extends the life of your fabric by reducing friction. On the contrary, hot water damages technical materials and causes odours.
8. Air-Dry or Use Low Heat
High heat damages the elastane and other stretching fibres in activewear. When possible, hang or lay gym clothes flat to air-dry. If you opt for the dryer, be sure to set it on low heat/delicate to prevent any damage while maintaining the shape and fit of your clothing.
With these step-by-step instructions, you can deal with the challenges of in-house laundry and keep the procedure smooth.
Tips to Keep Gym Clothes Odour-Free
Caring for dirty workout clothes is necessary to manage sweat, odours, and bacteria that can form if you leave the garment uncleaned. The good news is that you can take care of them and improve the washing performance by following some tips.
So, let’s look at the tips you can use for how to wash gym clothes without damage.
- Clean your washing machine regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.
- Store gym clothes in a breathable bag instead of a sealed plastic bag.
- Refresh gym bags with dryer sheets or odour absorbers.
- Rotate gym clothes (avoid wearing the same items repeatedly without washing).
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Washing Gym Clothes
When it comes to protecting gym gear, there are some common mistakes you should avoid during the washing procedure. That’s because it’ll spread the odours even further instead of removing them.
So, here are the common mistakes due to which the smell of sweat in workout clothes remains. Let’s have a look.
- Using too much detergent (causes buildup).
- Skipping pre-soak on really sweaty items.
- Overloading the machine (prevents proper cleaning).
- Drying on high heat (damages the stretch and traps odour).
Why Choose Love2Laundry UK for Your Gym Clothes
Outsourcing the laundry of gym clothes to a professional like Love2Laundry offers benefits in multiple ways. Not only do our experts know how to wash gym clothes, but they also offer you the convenience of free pickup and delivery.
Moreover, you can schedule the pickup at your convenience because we offer flexible scheduling. So, contact us now and keep your gym outfits durable, clean, and odour-free.
FAQs – Fresh, Odour-Free Gym Clothes Made Easy
How do you get sweat smell out of gym clothes?
You can remove the seat smell from clothes by soaking them in a mixture of cold water and vinegar for 30 minutes before washing them. Use a mild laundry detergent to wash them and prevent the risk of damage.
Can you put gym clothes in the washing machine?
Yes, you can put gym outfits in the washing machine, but make sure to turn them inside out first. Use cold water, a gentle cleaning cycle, and a delicate laundry detergent to remove sweat odours from the fabric.
Why do gym clothes still smell after washing?
There could be multiple reasons why gym clothes still smell after a wash. The odours are trapped inside the fibres, making them hard to remove in a single washing round. So repeat the process if necessary to get rid of odours.
Conclusion!
There you have it! A complete guide with instructions on how to wash gym clothes can help you keep your workout attire fresh and clean. Separating gym clothes by colour and fabric type will prevent the risk of colour bleeding.
Furthermore, tips like using sustainable cleaning agents and cold water during the washing procedure preserve the fabric quality. Checking the frequency of outfits will help you understand how often you should wash gym clothes.
