Get Your Workout Clothes into Shape With These Laundry Detergents (2024)

Our Top Picks

Gain impressed us during a recent round of lab testing. It sailed through different assessments with flying colors—in fact, one member of our testing team considered switching from her tried and true brand for her personal laundry routine. Notably, it even removed chocolate from our sample athletic shirt, confirming its ability to handle tough stains and workout fabrics.

We also loved the fruity, floral scent, and how it left clothes smelling fresh and clean. The fabrics we used were also soft to the touch, and short of being specifically made for sweat or related stains, it really struck us as an all-around impressive formula that's versatile enough for regular washes, but also dependable enough to handle workout clothes well, too.

It also comes at a fair price per load, which we calculated to be below the median of the 29 brands we tested, and it's easy to find at lots of large retailers. The only catch we see with this Gain detergent is that there's no unscented version available, so if you prefer to avoid fragrances, it's not going to be for you. But if you want to be able to trust your workout gear to a detergent that you can also use with your regular washes, it's a great choice.

_{Type: Liquid︱Amount: 65 ounces per bottle︱Number of Loads: 45 loads per bottle︱Scent: Original︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

Rockin Green Activewear Laundry Detergent is another great choice for eliminating stubborn smells in sweaty workout clothes. Even clothes that smell clean after being laundered with standard detergents can get smelly quickly once you start sweating again—but not with Rockin Green, according to our research.

The Rockin Green powder detergent is a bit expensive, which is why many people save it for their smelliest laundry or fabrics that tend to hold onto odors. Workout clothes, car seats, and tightly woven towels can all benefit from this detergent. Since it’s a concentrated formula, we think the price is justified. It’s important to note that this detergent is also safe for colors. You can use it as a presoak or as a regular detergent in any washing machine.

On top of that, Rockin Green is safe for those with sensitive skin, and it uses plant-based ingredients to bust odors instead of harsh chemicals. It’s free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), parabens, and artificial fragrances, so it’s safe for use on young kids’ clothing as well as your sweatiest cycling shorts.

_{Type: Powder︱Amount: 45 ounces︱Number of Loads: 90︱Scent: Unscented︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

We've seen good results with All Free Clear detergent in both lab and real world testing. This detergent isn’t specifically formulated for activewear or workout clothes, but it still does an excellent job getting odors out of the smelliest items.

Our at-home product tester loved that All Free & Clear is safe and it works well. “If you need a laundry detergent that is safe for sensitive skin and you’re on a budget, All Free & Clear is your best bet. It delivers clean clothes but lacks scent, heavy-duty stain removers, and fabric softener. This isn’t a high-end detergent, but it's a tough performer," says Ashley Ziegler, product tester.

This detergent doesn’t include harsh perfumes, dyes, or phosphates and is recommended by dermatologists for those with sensitivities. Still, it has a subtle clean and fresh smell that's pleasant but not at all overbearing,

The price is also a big plus, so if you wash a lot of workout clothes, affordability is a major perk. It's also user-friendly, with clear measurements right there on the cap for you.

_{Type: Liquid︱Amount: 82.5 fluid ounces︱Number of Loads: 110︱Scent: Unscented︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

It doesn't get much simpler than Tide Pods. They're convenient to use, and effective at cleaning and freshening up your laundry. Each pod includes detergent, stain remover, and color protector; important necessities to keep your workout clothes clean and fresh. During lab testing, we also found them to be super efficient, cleaning better than some of their peers, and leaving clothes with a light, clean smell.

As with most detergent pods, one pod should work for most loads, but you can’t customize the amount for heavily soiled laundry so keep that in mind if your laundry routine regularly requires this sort of flexibility. We calculated that each load will cost roughly $0.25, which also happened to be the median price per load of our test group of 29 detergents.

Given that they include three functions and only need to be tossed into the washer drum, we think these are a fair price (and we've seen them discounted, too). They also well in different temperatures, including cold water, which can save you money on electricity costs if you do a lot of laundry.

_{Type: Pods︱Number of Loads: 81︱Scent: Spring Meadow︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

Gain is back for a second time on this list with a powdered formula that brings its trademark scent along with competitive cleaning capabilities and overall value. In the lab, we were (once again) wowed by its delightful scent, and we also appreciated some of the smaller details, like the easy-to-read measurements on the scoop, and the convenient handle on the packaging.

Unlike pre-measured pods or sheets, we also like how you can adjust the amount you use per load, which is a win for when you really need to wash your workout gear but don't have enough laundry for a full load. It left most of our textiles soft and fluffy, with the exception of a cloth napkin, so maybe keep dryer balls or fabric softener on hand if you're particular about your linens.

We do want to mention that with this powder, its strength lies as a regular detergent, so if you have tough stains or heavily soiled items that need pre-treatment, you'll want to keep your favorite stain remover on hand for that. But for regular washes and clothes that need a freshening up? It's a great choice.

_{Type: Powder︱Amount: 172 ounces︱Number of Loads: 150︱Scent: Original︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

If you are looking for an odor-buster to add to your existing laundry routine, OxiClean Odor Blasters powder is the absolute best. You may need to use quite a bit of it to effectively soak your stinky fitness attire, but it is affordable enough to use weekly, if not every day. For the best results, use it with every wash.

OxiClean can be harsh and not safe for all fabrics. It’s best to test it on some of your older or well-worn items first. If you use performance fabric athletic gear, this may cause it to wear faster. It is safe for all washing machines, even high-efficiency machines.

_{Type: Powder︱Amount: 5 pounds︱Scent: Classic clean︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

While it is expensive, many athletes love the smell of WIN Activewear laundry detergent. It is safe for all fabrics, even uniforms. WIN gets odors out by targeting the oils and sweat buildup in your fitness gear’s synthetic and performance fabrics. This means that your clothes will be fresh when they get out of the wash and stay that way when you wear them.

WIN detergent also comes in Free & Clear—which doesn’t include fragrances—for those who have sensitivities. This version is just as effective as its scented counterpart.

The downside of this detergent is that it is quite expensive for everyday use. Many people opt to use it for their workout clothing only. It also works on outdoor apparel that can get stinky and sweaty, such as hiking and climbing gear.

_{Type: Liquid︱Amount: 32 fluid ounces︱Scent: Active fresh︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

We were excited to find out that Molly's Suds lives up to the hype. All of the formulas from the brand get rave reviews for their odor-eliminating performance, and they’re made with ingredients that are safe for those with skin or smell sensitivities. What's more, Molly’s Suds Unscented formula doesn’t include parabens, synthetic fragrances, phosphates, or dyes. Instead, it's made of sodium carbonate from Wisconsin, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, and sea salt.

Though the formula doesn't have fragrance added, when we tested it in the lab, we were pleased with the light and pleasant scent, as well as the softness of our laundry after it was washed and dried. The packaging is lightweight and fairly compact too, which is a plus for anyone who has a small amount of storage or who doesn't want extra bulk in their laundry supplies.

You will need to use it with warm or hot water to make sure that the formula dissolves (if you wash your clothes in cold water, they may come out with residue on them). Molly’s Suds includes a scoop to make measuring each recommended amount easy, and a heads-up that you may want to use extra for large, dirty, or especially smelly loads.

_{Type: Powder︱Amount: 47 ounces︱Number of Loads: 70 loads︱Scent: Unscented︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

Another trusted OxiClean product, the Versatile Stain Remover is a powder that you add directly to the washer drum alongside your laundry detergent. It brightens whites, gets stains out, and makes your laundry smell fresh. While you do need to use an additional detergent, this is a good booster. For best results, you should use it with each load of laundry.

You can also use OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover to keep things bright, clean, and fresh around your home. It is also a great way to keep your gym shoes clean and bright. The same formula is available in a fragrance-free as well as a baby-safe option that is also good for those with sensitivities. It is chlorine-free and color-safe but may cause some color bleeding on brand-new clothing.

_{Type: Powder︱Amount: 7.22 pounds︱Number of Loads: 156︱Scent: OxiClean scent︱Safe for High-Efficiency Machines: Yes}

Final Verdict

Our top pick is Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent Plus Aroma Boost. It's versatile, easy to use, great at fighting stains, and it smells incredible. We're also fans of our best overall runner-up, Rockin Green Activewear Laundry Detergent, which works like magic on stinky, dirty workout clothes by using plant-based enzymes to target the odor-causing particles while still being safe for those with sensitivities.

FAQ

• What is the best way to wash your workout clothes?

  Many laundry detergents marketed for workout clothes can be used like any other detergent. Add them to your washer drum or dispenser as directed on the packaging. If your clothes are especially smelly or dirty, consider using a detergent that can also function as a presoak treatment.

• How do you get the sweat smell out of your workout clothes?

  Laundry detergents that use oxygen-based cleaners or enzymes are the most effective at getting sweaty smells out of workout clothes. Initially, you may need to run your clothing through the wash multiple times to remove built-up grime and oils. For really stubborn sweat smells, presoak your clothes before washing them.

• Can you wash your workout clothes with your regular clothes?

  Yes, you can wash your workout clothes with other items as long as they are compatible (lights, darks, delicates). If you use laundry detergent made for workout clothes, you may end up spending more money because these formulas can be more expensive. Some people prefer to use a less-expensive standard laundry detergent for their regular clothes and save the more expensive detergent for workout clothes.

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