How to Properly Clean Gym Clothes and Remove Odor

As much as you might like to think that your favorite gym outfit is invincible to wear, tear, and the other consequences of repeated use, the pungent scent emanating from them is getting too potent to ignore.

It’s not like you’ve been letting your clothes sit in filth overnight; you’ve been religiously washing them right after every sweaty use. Still, it doesn’t seem like your regular cleaning efforts are doing anything to banish that appalling odor from your clothes. So are your clothes doomed to be haunted by the ghosts of workouts past, or is there actually something you can do to get rid of that pernicious scent emanating from your gym clothes?

Consider the clothing type

Before you even get started, the first thing that you should consider is your clothing type. Different clothing fibers react very differently to workout-spawned bacteria. Studies have shown that natural clothing fibers like cotton are slower to absorb bacteria and odors than synthetic fibers like polyester, and are therefore less likely to retain a malodorous scent after use.

On the other hand, the study also showed that wool — despite being a natural fiber — promoted the growth of almost all bacteria, yet it still possessed fewer properties that contributed to malodor than synthetic fibers. In other words, just because a fiber supports bacterial growth doesn’t necessarily mean that a bacterial presence will automatically translate to a foul smell later on.

Don’t disable moisture wicking abilities

One of the benefits to buying workout clothes with special fabric is that your workout clothes have been manufactured with special qualities that are supposed to benefit your workout, and potentially reduce the build-up of moisture and sweat within them. This certainly includes moisture-wicking properties that remove moisture from your skin and help it to dissipate quickly.

The thing is, there are a number of ways that you can rapidly break down your clothing’s ability to wick away moisture. This includes very innocent steps like the use of high heat, dryer sheets, or fabric softener. So if you purchase special gym clothes, follow the washing and drying instructions very carefully, or you may weaken the features that help them to work so well, and that keep both you and them fresh and clean.

Use special cleaning solutions

The major detergent companies are aware of your problems, and that’s why every major detergent company makes a special product to help you protect your gym clothes. Specifically, they help to eliminate strong odors caused by sweaty training sessions while also preventing the breakdown of clothes. 

Aside from special detergents, there are plenty of homemade solutions for ridding your clothes of bacteria, and they usually include precise ratios of vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide. Emphasis should certainly be placed on the word “precise,” because all three of these solutions can damage the color and structural integrity of your clothes if you’re not cautious about how much you use.

Help your clothes to help you

To summarize, there are several ways to effectively clean your gym clothes. By implementing a few vital steps, you can lengthen the lifespan of your gym wardrobe and help your clothes to retain their cherished properties. Just make sure you start by choosing the right fabric, wash and dry your clothes in ways that won’t damage them, and choose a cleaning solution that takes the purpose of your gym clothes into account.

Summary:

1. Cleaning and protecting your gym clothes requires different steps than washing the rest of your laundry.

2. Different fabric types react very differently to workout conditions, including the growth of bacteria and the development of odors.

3. Most workout clothes are created with special features that can be disabled by improper washing and drying practices.

4. When in doubt, remember to use a cleaning solution that is specifically designed to wash the clothes you exercise in.