Effective ways to keep workout clothes clean

I walk seven days a week and exercise early in the morning five days a week.

When I work out early in the morning five days a week, I wear workout clothes.

Since I didn't properly take care of my workout clothes, I started having skin problems.

I said I would keep it clean... I don't know what the problem was.

I should take good care of the expensive workout clothes I bought, and for my health as well, I need to properly manage my workout clothes.

So, I looked into effective ways to keep workout clothes clean.

How to wash workout clothes cleanly

1. Dry sweaty workout clothes immediately

If you leave your workout clothes in your bag, mold can develop and cause an unpleasant smell. Dry your workout clothes immediately after returning home from exercise.

2. Wash separately

Wash similar materials together. It is recommended to wash cotton T-shirts and sports towels separately from synthetic sportswear or leggings. This is because lint from cotton can stick to sportswear. Heavier materials like denim and clothes with buttons or zippers should be washed separately, as they can damage sportswear fabrics.

3. Turn your workout clothes inside out before washing

Turn your pants, shirts, and underwear inside out when washing to ensure the areas where bacteria most commonly reside are thoroughly cleaned. Since odor-causing bacteria are mostly found on the inside of clothes, washing them inside out can maximize the cleaning effect.

4. Soaking in vinegar beforehand before washing

If odors remain on clothes after washing, it is recommended to soak them in a solution mixed with vinegar and cold water at a 1:4 ratio for 20 to 30 minutes. The acidic component of vinegar helps remove residual oils, dust, and bacteria from sportswear fabrics, enhancing the cleaning effect.

Use an appropriate amount of detergent

If your clothes are very dirty, you might think you need to add more detergent, but using more detergent does not necessarily mean they will be cleaned better. In fact, excess soap can build up on the fibers, creating a habitat for bacteria that cause unpleasant odors. To prevent this problem, try using slightly less detergent than you normally would for regular clothes. Additionally, to properly care for Nike Dri-FIT fabric, it is recommended to use powder detergent.

6. Use baking soda or fragrance boosters to reduce odors

Adding about 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of baking soda to laundry helps neutralize acids that cause odors. Sprinkling a little baking soda on sneakers that cannot be washed can also eliminate odors. Another method is to use a dedicated scent booster for workout clothes. Scent boosters contain odor eliminators and can be used together with detergent.

7. Minimize the use of fabric softeners and dryer sheets

Residual residues from fabric softeners remain on workout clothes, creating an environment where odor-causing bacteria can easily thrive and making it difficult to wash clothes thoroughly. Similarly, dryer sheets block the fibers, making it hard for detergent to penetrate. Use dryer balls to keep the fabric feeling soft against the skin and to prevent wrinkles.

8. Wash with cold water using a gentle cycle

Exposing functional materials to vigorous washing or high temperatures can damage the fibers. To wear your sportswear for a longer time, try washing it in cold water on a gentle cycle.

9. Possible natural drying

To extend the lifespan of synthetic sportswear, it is best to set the dryer to the lowest temperature or to air dry the clothes completely. Heat can worsen odors, damage fibers, cause shrinking or deformation, and also generate more static electricity while weakening elasticity. Cotton clothing can be put in the dryer, but functional fabrics like Nike Dri-FIT should be handled carefully to avoid exposure to high heat.