How To Care For Your Activewear

Did you know.. our activewear provides an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive? 😱

Your activewear works hard for you, so treat it right! Show your gear some love with our expert laundry care tips. Read this article to learn about activewear hygiene and see what is our best recommendation for sports and activewear laundry detergent!

Ensure regular cleaning to maximise the lifespan of your workout clothes.

Wash sports bras, shorts and leggings after every use to prevent yeast infection

(Synthetic fabrics can be like magnets for bacteria!)

How To Wash Your Activewear?

1. Air out your sweaty workout clothes immediately

After your workout, make sure to air out your sweaty clothes to prevent the formation of mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors. Instead of keeping them stuffed in your backpack or gym bag, hang them up until they dry or until you're ready to wash them.

2. Separate your laundry

When doing laundry, separate your clothes based on fabric types. Keep cotton T-shirts and gym towels separate from synthetic workout shorts or leggings to avoid lint transfer. It's also important to keep heavy fabrics like denim and items with buttons or zippers separate to prevent damaging the delicate athletic wear.

3. Turn exercise clothing inside out before washing

Enhance the effectiveness of your washing machine by turning your exercise clothing inside out before washing. This allows the machine to target the areas with the most bacteria, which often accumulate on the inside of your clothes.

4. Use the right amount of detergent

Be mindful of the amount of detergent you use. Using excess detergent won't make your clothes cleaner; instead, it can lead to soap buildup in the fabric, attracting new odor-causing bacteria. Use slightly less detergent than you would for regular clothes.

5. Wash activewear in gentle cycle with cold water

Opt for a gentle cycle and wash your athletic clothes in cold water. This helps prevent damage to the delicate performance fabrics and avoids exposing them to high heat, which can destroy the fibers.

7. Avoid using fabric softener and dryer sheets

Avoid using fabric softener and dryer sheets, as they leave residues that can trap odor-causing bacteria and make it harder for water and detergent to clean your clothes effectively. Instead, opt for dryer balls, which gently soften clothes and prevent wrinkles.

8. Air-dry synthetic workout clothing if possible

Whenever possible, air-dry your synthetic workout clothing or use the lowest heat setting on your dryer. High heat can worsen odors, damage the fabric, cause shrinkage or shape alterations, create static, and weaken elastic. While cotton clothing can be safely dried in the machine, ensure that performance fabrics like Nike Dri-FIT are not subjected to high heat.

 

How to combat persistent bad odors?

1) Try pre-soaking with white distilled vinegar 

If you're struggling with persistent odors even after washing, try pre-soaking your clothes in a mixture of one part white distilled vinegar and four parts cold water. Soak them for 20-30 minutes to unlock oils, dirt, and bacteria from the fabric, enabling your washing machine to eliminate these unwanted elements more effectively.

2) Add Baking Soda or a Laundry Booster to Reduce Odors

To combat odors, add baking soda (approximately one quarter to one half cup) to your laundry. Baking soda helps neutralize odor-causing acids. You can also sprinkle a small amount of baking soda in your non-washable sneakers to minimize odors. Alternatively, consider using a laundry booster specifically designed for athletic apparel, adding it to the same compartment as your detergent.