A new year brings new fitness goals, and maybe even some cute new workout outfits to encourage you on the path to achieving those goals.
But with those goals comes a whole new problem: Your gym clothes need to be washed, and they need to be washed in a very specific way to ensure they last a long, long time and, more importantly, that they don't come out still smelling like the kind of gym.
spinning
last week.
We consulted experts to ask about the dos and don'ts of washing gym clothes, from what is the correct washing machine setting to use, to the best detergents to do this job, and what to do about the dreaded odor. permanent that can remain on garments.
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Cleaning gym clothes
Getting your gym clothes as clean as possible starts right when you take off those sweaty clothes.
It's a good idea to let your gym clothes dry before tossing them into your laundry basket or bag;
When wet clothing is left in a pile, it develops bacteria that cause bad odors.
A mesh laundry basket allows air to circulate and can also help damp clothes dry, preventing odor-causing bacteria from taking hold on the fabric.
Mesh laundry basket
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Jennifer Chevchek, vice president of design at Fabletics, says it's inside the workout gear that sweat and dead skin that contribute to odors collect, so washing clothes from the inside out allows water and dirt to collect. detergent provide a more thorough cleaning.
To keep prints and colors vibrant, it helps to turn your workout clothes inside out before washing.
The expert also asks that you do not wash gym clothes along with towels and other fabrics that can shed lint.
"We recommend that you avoid washing training equipment together with products with thick fabric such as denim or clothing that has zippers or velcro.
Let sweaty clothes dry
Wash it inside out
Avoid washing gym equipment along with heavy items or lint
How to wash and dry gym clothes
Washing workout gear is simple, and less is more - you might be surprised to find that the biggest mistake people make when doing gym clothes is using too much detergent.
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Chevchek says, "We recommend machine wash cold with like colors."
Use the gentle or delicate cycle, and do not overload the machine drum so that the clothes have room to move, allowing the water and detergent to fully penetrate the fibers.
Tide Sport Liquid Laundry Detergent
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When it comes to detergent, you don't need a specialized product to wash gym equipment, but it can always be nice to have.
While the type of detergent you use is not important, the amount of detergent you use
is
important.
"
Cheryl Nelson, a lifestyle expert who shares her preparation tips on her Prepare With Cher website, asks not to use too much detergent.
Too much detergent makes it difficult to rinse clothes well, which can lead to increased accumulation of sweat and mildew.
Excess detergent will allow a build-up of products that will contribute to lingering odors on clean clothes and give your workout outfits a dingy look in no time.
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Similarly, there are products that you should completely avoid using when washing gym equipment.
"Make sure to avoid fabric softener or bleach," says Chevchek.
Fine Mesh Laundry Bags
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Chevchek recommends using a mesh lingerie wash bag to extend the life of sports bras, adding that "this will also help maintain their shape and stay in great condition" longer.
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While machine drying isn't the best option for workout gear, it's the one most people will use and that's fine as long as you use the correct dryer setting.
Always go for the low heat or no heat setting to help preserve elasticity and avoid odors.
"Hot air, like hot water, can also break down the elasticity of the fabric, leading to shrinkage and shorter garment life," says Nelson.
"Hot air can also amplify odors."
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The experts we spoke to agree that air drying is the best option for gym clothing.
"We recommend hanging or laying flat to dry. We also recommend keeping brightly colored fabrics separate when wet," says Chevchek, to avoid dye transfer and brightly colored clothing staining on lighter colored items. .
Wash gym clothes in cold water using the delicate or gentle cycle
Place sports bras in protective mesh wash bags
Don't use too much detergent
Avoid using fabric softener or bleach
Air or machine dry on low or no heat setting
How to treat and avoid the dreaded permanent odor
If you follow these tips you will never have a problem with permanent odor in your clothes. The term
permastink
is used when freshly laundered gym clothes come out and still smell like last week's workout. There are a few factors that contribute to less-than-clean workout clothes coming out of the wash, and there's also a simple way to fix them when this happens.
"It's important to avoid letting wet and sweaty clothes sit in a bag for too long," says Chevchek. "Letting your clothes dry after a workout is key to not letting bacteria build up." Being aware not to use too much detergent and avoiding fabric softener and high heat drying will also help ensure that product build-up on clothing does not lead to odor retention.
It is especially important to avoid fabric softener when washing synthetic fibers.
"Most fabric softeners contain silicone," explains Chevchek, "which can block the fabric's tiny pores and decrease its moisture-inhibiting capabilities. Also, using too much detergent can prevent the water from running clean and contribute to to accumulation in garments. "
White vinegar
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When bad odor occurs due to product build-up, Nelson offers this simple solution: "Add half or a cup of white distilled vinegar to the wash and use half the detergent."
The vinegar will help break down the buildup and remove odors that have been trapped in the fibers, and because it is trying to remove excess detergent, you will only need half a regular dose to clean your clothes.
To avoid lingering odors in otherwise clean clothes, don't use too much detergent
Never use liquid fabric softener when washing gym clothes
Air dry or use a low temperature drying cycle
Use white vinegar in the wash to treat lingering odors
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