How to Get the Smell Out of Workout Clothes - kaia naturals (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the smell out of workout clothes? ›

Fill a sink with one part distilled white vinegar and four parts cold water. Submerge the activewear and let it soak for 15–30 minutes. After the clothes are done soaking, sort activewear by color (dark or light) and wash them separately.

You have a product buildup situation going on. This happens when you use too much detergent, or when you use products, like fabric softener, that trap odor-causing bacteria. So you need two things here: a fix for the buildup followed by a few tweaks to your gym clothes laundering routine.

HEX Performance Advanced Laundry Detergent is specifically formulated to eliminate odor found in workout gear. When it comes to the best laundry detergent for activewear overall, HEX takes our top spot.

Vinegar: Add one cup of vinegar to a bucket of cold water and soak your smelly clothes for up to 30 minutes. Baking Soda: Add one cup of baking soda to your wash load with your detergent and wash in cold water. Lemon Juice: Squeeze the juice of one lemon into your wash load to extinguish odor-causing bacteria.

How to Wash Smelly Activewear. Blast away malodor following these steps. Soak the workout gear in a mix of one part distilled white vinegar to four parts cold water immediately after wearing them for a few hours—about four to five is fine. Alternatively, you can soak clothes in powdered oxygen bleach.

Avoid heat

Elastic clothing doesn't love being exposed to high heat, and that heat will also amplify odors. Wash workout clothes in cold water, stick with the low- or no-heat dryer setting or, better yet, allow exercise clothes to air dry.

Turning the items inside out ensures detergent has direct contact with the odor-causing body oils. Soak your workout clothes in a vinegar-and-water solution to combat odor that can build up over time. Distilled white vinegar works its magic by cutting through body oils, helping release bacteria and odor.

Many odors can be removed using vinegar or baking soda as part of your wash cycle, and if those don't work, commercial sanitizers and sports detergents target odor-causing bacteria, too. Air drying outside is also a great option for freshening fabrics.

White vinegar helps neutralize odors on the underarm areas of most fabrics. Always consult your garments' care labels for cleaning instructions before undertaking any treatment yourself. For machine-safe garments, put them in your wash, start the cycle, and once the drum has filled, add 1/3 cup of white vinegar.

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.

How do you deodorize a gym? ›

Eliminate Bad Odor In Gyms With An Air Purifier

A good air purifier can help a lot to reduce the bad odor. If you think about it, air purifiers can filter out pollutants that cause bad odor. This machine can eliminate organic compounds like bacteria, viruses, and mold, which quickly causes bad odor.

Soak your clothes with a cup of vinegar to a basin of water for at least 30 minutes, or longer if they are particularly dirty. You can also add a few drops of essential oil to your pre-soak solution to give it a nice scent.

Wipe down equipment after each use. Use disinfecting wipes, or simply wipe with a damp towel followed by a dry cloth or paper towel. Clean up any spills immediately to prevent them from getting on floors, carpets, or equipment. Mop any hardwood floors regularly.

Bacteria, sweat, and body oil can build up inside synthetic fibers, as their wicking nature allows them to absorb oil and hold it in. Traditional detergents may only mask the smell. A vinegar soak or washing them with activewear-specific detergent should help.

The most common cause of the odor is mold and mildew. Washing machines are usually warm and humid, making them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Some odor-causing problems are easily resolved while others may be caused because of the age of your washing machine or the extreme buildup of mold and mildew.

To Remove Odors Inside Backpacks or Smelly Gym Bags:

Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda into the backpack, zip shut and allow it to sit for 2-3 days to neutralize odors. Tip the backpack or bag over a trash can to remove excess baking soda and wipe out the interior with a damp cloth.