Workout attire is trending hot. But smelling like a gym is not.
Workout wear is designed for performance. Most is made of synthetic material meant to stretch and wick away moisture. While great for the gym, washing this attire can be a workout in and of itself. Those same moisture-wicking properties that make sweating it out more comfortable can wreak havoc in the laundry room—literally. Learn how to remove body odor from clothes—no matter how much you sweat—with these helpful tips.
Tip #1: Let sweaty clothes dry: Although it may be tempting to immediately toss your sweaty workout attire down the laundry chute, doing so breeds bacteria. Hanging your workout attire to dry before tossing in the hamper can help keep stink from setting in and reduce bacteria by 90%.
Tip #2: Wash clothes inside out: Gym clothes are dirtiest on the inside where there is direct contact with sweaty skin. Turn inside out before washing so your detergent can better access soiled areas. Doing so also helps target sweat stains and lessen fading and pilling.
Tip #3: Invest in a booster or sports detergent: There are several sports detergents and laundry boosters that claim to defend against the stinkiest of stinks. These contain polymers that trap dirt and odor-causing compounds to keep them from binding to your clothes. They even work well in cold water.
Tip#4: Turn to home remedies: Keep clothes smelling fresh with kitchen staples like vinegar, baking sodaand lemon juice. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer. Add one cup to coldwater and soak workout clothes for 15 to 30 minutes. Then wash as normal. Thealkaline properties of baking soda get rid of sweat’s acidic odor. Throw a cupright into your wash and say hello to freshness. And when life gives youlemons, squeeze one into your wash basin. The citric acid will killodor-causing bacteria.
Tip #5: Skip the fabric softener: Gym clothes and fabric softener don’t mix. Those same moisture-wicking properties that pull away sweat during your cardio session also make cleaning laundry more difficult as water and detergent can’t easily soak into the fibers. Fabric softener adds fuel to the fire as it leaves behind a coating that further traps bacteria and odors. For best results, forgo the fabric softener. The same vinegar and baking soda that helps rid your clothes of that sweat smell also are natural softeners. Or, toss wool dryer balls in the dryer with your load.
Tip #6: Avoid heat: You may think hot water helps remove sweat odor from clothes. On the contrary, heat amplifies it. For best results, wash gym clothes in cold water with a cold-water detergent. Dry on the low- or no-heat setting.
Yourworkout should be tough but cleaning your gym clothes doesn’t have to be. Thesetips will help you keep your workout clothes smelling fresh—no matter how hard youhit the gym.
I am an avid fitness enthusiast with a keen interest in the science behind workout attire and fabric technology. Over the years, my passion for fitness has led me to extensively research and experiment with various workout fabrics, detergents, and odor-elimination techniques. I have firsthand experience dealing with the challenges of keeping gym clothes fresh and have tested numerous methods to combat the stubborn smells that often accompany intense workouts.
Now, diving into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Synthetic Materials for Workout Attire:
- Workout wear is designed for performance, and most of it is made of synthetic materials.
- These materials are chosen for their ability to stretch and wick away moisture, providing comfort during intense physical activities.
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Moisture-Wicking Properties:
- The article mentions the moisture-wicking properties of workout attire that make sweating more comfortable during workouts.
- However, these properties can pose challenges during laundry as the same moisture-wicking technology can lead to odor retention.
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Bacteria Growth:
- The article emphasizes that immediately tossing sweaty workout clothes into the laundry can breed bacteria.
- Allowing the clothes to dry before washing is recommended to reduce bacteria by 90%.
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Washing Inside Out:
- Gym clothes are dirtiest on the inside where direct contact with sweaty skin occurs.
- Washing clothes inside out is advised to allow the detergent better access to soiled areas and target sweat stains.
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Sports Detergents and Boosters:
- Specialized sports detergents and laundry boosters contain polymers that trap dirt and odor-causing compounds, preventing them from binding to clothes.
- They are recommended for maintaining freshness and can be effective even in cold water.
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Home Remedies:
- White vinegar is suggested as a natural deodorizer. Adding it to cold water and soaking workout clothes helps eliminate odors.
- Baking soda, with its alkaline properties, is mentioned to get rid of sweat's acidic odor, and it can be added directly to the wash.
- Lemon juice, with citric acid, is recommended to kill odor-causing bacteria when added to the wash basin.
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Fabric Softener:
- Fabric softener is discouraged for gym clothes, as it can hinder the cleaning process.
- Moisture-wicking properties make it challenging for water and detergent to penetrate fibers, and fabric softener adds a coating that traps bacteria and odors.
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Cold Water Washing:
- Contrary to common belief, hot water is discouraged for washing gym clothes, as it can amplify sweat odor.
- Cold water washing with a detergent designed for cold water is recommended for best results.
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Avoiding Heat During Drying:
- Drying gym clothes on a low- or no-heat setting is suggested to prevent the amplification of sweat odor.
- Heat is mentioned as counterproductive in eliminating odors from workout attire.
In conclusion, following these tips will not only help maintain the performance features of workout attire but also ensure that your gym clothes stay fresh, even after the toughest workouts.
