{"id":3683,"date":"2020-11-05T18:41:41","date_gmt":"2020-11-05T18:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/?p=3683"},"modified":"2026-10-16T14:23:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T14:23:34","slug":"cleaning-workout-clothes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitmotherproject.com\/cleaning-workout-clothes\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleaning Workout Clothes: Save Your Expensive Gear!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nike, Alo, Athleta, Lululemon, and many other brands make some amazing workout clothes. And if you want to get the most out of them, properly cleaning workout clothes is key.<\/p>\n

Let’s face it, today’s workout attire looks and performs great, but it’s not cheap!<\/strong><\/p>\n

So how can you effectively care for and make athletic gear last as long as possible?<\/p>\n

Follow the simple tips below for cleaning workout clothes to keep them looking new, fresh, and free from stinky smells!<\/p>\n

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25 Tips for Cleaning Workout Clothes<\/h2>\n

1. Don’t Wash Clothes in Hot Water<\/strong><\/p>\n

When washing expensive workout clothes, avoid washing them in warm or hot water.<\/p>\n

Doing so can break down certain fabrics, making them appear dull and worn.<\/p>\n

Use cold water when cleaning workout clothes instead to make expensive attire look new and last as long as possible.<\/p>\n

It’s a simple tip that can produce dramatic results for your clothes and self-confidence!<\/p>\n

2. Wash Clothes Soon After Exercise<\/strong><\/p>\n

Letting sweaty clothes sit in a pile of dirty laundry can cause bacteria buildup, making it difficult to get stinky smells out.<\/p>\n

Wash your clothes the same day as you work out in them, whenever possible, to keep them smelling fresh and clean long-term.<\/p>\n

If you can’t wash clothes right away, air dry them or spray anti-bacterial fabric spray on clothes to keep bacteria levels at bay.<\/p>\n

3. Turn Exercise Clothes Inside Out<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before cleaning exercise clothes by hand or in your washing machine, turn them inside out!<\/p>\n

Doing so helps clothes look newer, longer, with less wear and tear.<\/p>\n

You can actually do this with all of your clothes, but take extra time and care to do so with pricey athletic attire.<\/p>\n

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4. Avoid Washing Clothes Too Often<\/strong><\/p>\n

The more often you wash workout clothes, the higher chance of them looking dull and faded.<\/p>\n

If you sweat a lot during exercise, wash wet or stinky clothes right away.<\/p>\n

But if you wear exercise attire around the house and they still smell fresh, consider putting them on one more time before you wash.<\/p>\n

5. Choose No Heat or Low Heat Settings<\/strong><\/p>\n

The heat of your dryer can take a toll on new, expensive workout gear, making exercise clothes appear dull, faded, and worn.<\/p>\n

Steer clear of drying clothes on high-heat dryer settings.<\/p>\n

Instead, choose no heat or low-heat settings, or a “delicate” dryer setting if you have one on your machine.<\/p>\n

6. Air Dry Clothes When Possible<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consider using a clothes drying rack instead of machine drying workout attire to maximize the lifespan of your favorite exercise clothes.<\/p>\n

Doing so is one of the best ways to prevent the fabric from looking older than you’d like it to.<\/p>\n

If you don’t have time to air dry athletic gear, choose fluff or low-heat dryer settings and dry clothes for the minimum amount of time needed.<\/p>\n\t\t

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7. Choose Delicate Machine Settings<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gentle washing machine settings are best when cleaning expensive activewear.<\/p>\n

Doing so can extend the life of your clothes, helping them look newer longer.<\/p>\n

Your washing machine probably has a “delicate” setting.<\/p>\n

Choose it over a high-heat dryer setting for workout clothes to keep them looking as new, bright, and fresh as possible.<\/p>\n

8. Separate Your Clothes by Color<\/strong><\/p>\n

Before washing workout clothes, separate them by color to prevent clothes from becoming dull and worn.<\/p>\n

For example, wash whites with other white clothes, dark-colored clothes with other dark-colored attire, and the remaining light-colored clothes together.<\/p>\n

Doing so helps prevent white and lighter clothes from losing their luster.<\/p>\n

Always wash dark clothes in cold water to prevent the different colors from bleeding.<\/p>\n

9. Consider Using Sports Detergents<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to exercise gear, consider cleaning workout clothes with a laundry detergent specifically designed for sweaty sports clothes, such as Tide Sport<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Doing so is one of the best ways to eliminate the undesirable odor that often occurs with exercise-induced bacteria.<\/p>\n

Experiment with different sports detergents to find one that works (and smells) the best for you!<\/p>\n

10. Wash Like Fabrics Together<\/strong><\/p>\n

When maintaining new-looking workout gear is your goal, consider washing like fabrics together.<\/p>\n

For example, avoid washing performance fabric with towels, rugs, sweatshirts, and other items that can add lint to exercise attire.<\/p>\n

Separate dedicates from other types of fabrics to keep activewear (and other expensive clothing) looking its best.<\/p>\n

If you can, wash exercise clothes in a separate load.<\/p>\n

11. Don’t Forget About Workout Shoes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exercise shoes can get stinky, trapping in bacteria and odor, so don’t forget to wash your athletic shoes too!<\/p>\n

Clean workout shoes in cold water (use a delicate washing machine setting), and let them air dry to keep shoes looking and feeling fresh!<\/p>\n

You can use an old toothbrush, plus detergent mixed with baking soda, to spot wash shoes in-between machine cleanings.<\/p>\n

12. Steer Clear of Fabric Softener<\/strong><\/p>\n

While it might be tempting to use fabric softener for cleaning workout clothes, it’s not necessary for washing your favorite workout gear.<\/p>\n

In fact, substances present in fabric softeners can coat clothing, cause odor retention, and create a barrier that prevents detergent and water from fully penetrating fibers.<\/p>\n

Fabric softener can also break down elastic fibers, making workout clothes fit less snugly or appear baggy.<\/p>\n

A sports laundry detergent is all that’s necessary, with a booster as needed for odor elimination, when cleaning workout clothes efficiently and making them smell fresh is your goal.<\/p>\n

13. Use the Right Amount of Detergent<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using too much laundry detergent is a mistake many people make when cleaning workout clothes.<\/p>\n

When it comes to effective laundry detergent, more isn’t always better.<\/p>\n

Too much laundry soap can build up residue in clothes, trapping bacteria and odor.<\/p>\n

Use the recommended amounts of detergent based on the size of the laundry load you’re washing.<\/p>\n

Don’t overdo it when cleaning workout clothes efficiency is your desire.<\/p>\n

14. Soak Clothes in Vinegar Water<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you experience unpleasant odor in your athletic attire despite washing workout clothes regularly with a sports detergent, consider soaking sweaty clothes and rinsing them before placing workout gear in the washing machine.<\/p>\n

Combine one part distilled white vinegar with four parts cold water and soak dirty clothes for about 15-30 minutes.<\/p>\n

Doing so helps eliminate odor to extend the life of exercise attire and make you smell fresh during your next sweat session.<\/p>\n

15. Avoid Ironing Workout Gear<\/strong><\/p>\n

This tip might seem obvious, but avoid using an iron on athletic gear.<\/p>\n

If your clothes look wrinkled, fluff them in the dryer for a few minutes or dry them on a delicate dryer heat setting, but avoid ironing exercise clothes.<\/p>\n

Don’t place workout clothes in a dryer on high heat.<\/p>\n

Folding your clothes neatly or hanging them in your closet right away after they dry is an excellent way to prevent wrinkling.<\/p>\n

If you are preparing to lose weight, find out what you can do to set realistic losing weight expectations!<\/em><\/p>\n