How to Get the STINK out of Workout Clothing
Are you tired of feeling like you're wearing yesterday's workout when you're actually in fresh gear? It's time to tackle the stink that lingers in your gym clothes with some serious know-how.
Sweat may be the badge of honor after a grueling workout, but it's also the culprit behind that unmistakable gym clothes stench. If you've ever experienced the horror of "clean" gym wear suddenly unleashing the ghosts of workouts past, you're not alone. It's time to delve into why this happens and, more importantly, how to kick that stink to the curb for good.
Sweat mixes with your body’s bacteria and the reaction can cause a smell.
The synthetic fibers of athletic clothing are tightly woven and trap excess oils, dead skin and bacteria as the sweat passes through the garment. The damp sweaty clothing becomes a breeding ground for more bacteria. This bacteria can even linger on your clothing after it has gone through the laundry if it is not properly washed.
To keep your clothing from having lingering bad odors, you must keep them bacteria free! This will leave them smelling fresh!
The best way to kill that pesky bacteria? Use a detergent that contains enzymes.
Enzymes in special active wear detergents work by breaking the proteins and oils of the sweat into smaller pieces, making it easier to be removed in the wash.
My top recommendation?
Active Wear Laundry Detergent! It's my gym clothes detergent of choice for many reasons. It contains enzymes, it’s made in the USA, it contains no harsh chemicals (a must when you are doing laundry as much as I do for the shop!), and most importantly- IT WORKS.
I use this in the washer every time I wash activewear and especially when washing secondhand polyester and synthetic materials.
You can also use Active Wear for a post workout soak of your athletic wear. Just remember– a little goes a long way with this product.
Looking for a DIY Solution? I got you.
This is my go-to DIY Soak to get the stink out:
1) Fill a bin or a sink with room temperature water.
2) Add in the following ingredients, mixing well:
1 T baking soda
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp hydrogen peroxide
1 tsp Laundry Detergent or Castile Soap
2 drops of lime essential oil
2 drops of tea tree essential oil
3) Place your stinky workout clothing in the mixture and agitate for 1-2 minutes.
4) Let it soak for at least 30 minutes, but up to 4 hours for really bad stink.
5) Rinse thoroughly and hang to dry or follow up by throwing into a regular wash cycle as directed on the care tag.
Best practices to prevent your workout clothing from stinking:
* Always wash your athletic wear after every use.
* Turn your clothing inside out before washing.
* If you don’t have time to soak- do a quick rinse out and hang items to dry before placing in the hamper.
* Don’t roll up your sweaty clothing and leave them in a hamper where the bacteria can grow.
* Immediately place your gym clothes in a soak after a workout, using either an enzyme detergent or the method above.
* Always use a detergent with enzymes when washing work out wear.
Whether you're tossing your gear into the washer with a trusty enzyme detergent or whipping up a DIY soak that rivals the best in odor-busting power, remember this: banishing the stink from your gym clothes isn't just about smelling better; it's about feeling better too. Because when your workout wear smells as fresh as your post-gym glow, you'll be ready to tackle any challenge the gym throws your way. Say goodbye to the stink, and hello to a workout wardrobe that's as fresh as you are.
** DISCLOSURE: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
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