Workout clothes typically consist of garments that one wears during exercise or physical activities. Such clothes are made of breathable, moisture-resistant fabric like nylon, spandex, polyester that help to keep the body dry and cool during workout sessions. Workout clothes generally include gym tights, leggings, sportswear, shorts, and tops. These clothes provide the flexibility, comfort and support required for making different body movements during workout sessions. Workout clothes generally have a stretchable design that allows a wide range of body movement.
Workout clothes tend to become a breeding ground for germs. Such clothes also tend to absorb body fluids, sweat, oil, dust, and detergent residues, which make the clothes emit a foul odour. Washing clothes in a washing machine set to a regular cycle may not be effective for the elimination of unpleasant odours and germs. Instead, it is crucial to implement appropriate laundry techniques and use special solvents and soap for eradicating bacteria and body odour from the workout clothes.
Cleaning workout clothes at home may not be easy, especially if the clothes are subjected to daily use. It is therefore recommended to reach out to a laundry service platform for maintaining the cleanliness of workout clothes. Read on to know more about the expert tips and techniques of laundering foul-smelling workout clothes.
A Few Approaches For Cleaning Workout Clothes:
- Pre-treat the workout clothes with chemical solvents: Pre-treatment of the workout clothes before washing is essential for elimination of foul odours. Soak the workout clothes in a blend of white vinegar and cold water for at least an hour. Vinegar helps to deodorize the clothes by breaking down germs and odoriferous compounds. Cleaning your workout clothes with vinegar helps to keep the clothes fresh and crisp for a prolonged period.
You may also use baking soda for pre-treatment of workout clothes. Prepare a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Smear the smelly workout clothes with the baking soda paste in order to neutralize the foul odour. Wash the workout clothes with a mild detergent soap to get rid of dirt, oil, and grime right after the baking soda treatment.
- Wash the workout clothes after pre-treatment: For washing workout clothes, it is best to use either lukewarm water or cold water. Avoid using hot water as the high temperature can disintegrate the elasticity of the workout clothes. You may use a mild detergent soap, preferably liquid detergent soap, for cleaning the workout clothes. If the workout clothes smell too bad, then you may use a small amount of fabric softener to wash off the grime and bacteria after washing the clothes in water. You may also add a small amount of vinegar during the rinse cycle, as an alternative to fabric softeners, in order to ward off lingering odours.
- Dry the workout clothes with care: Air-drying is the best technique for drying out wet workout clothes. Sunlight serves as a natural disinfectant and helps to kill bacteria and reduce odours. Avoid using a tumble dryer for drying out workout clothes. However, if you have no choice but to use a dryer, then make sure to set the dryer to a moderate temperature to preserve the elastic nature of the fabric of workout clothes. You may use wool dryer balls for improving the airflow in the dryer machine. Wool dryer balls also help in breaking down any soapy residue that may get trapped in the fibre. Make sure that the workout clothes are completely dry before proceeding to store the clothes in the wardrobe.
Additional Tips For Maintaining Cleanliness of Workout Clothes:
- It is highly recommended to wash the workout clothes immediately after use. Letting the workout clothes sit in the laundry bag for days or weeks can cause bacterial overgrowth which would make the workout clothes smell worse. Washing the workout clothes immediately after the physical activity session helps to prevent odours from setting in.
- If your workout clothes are made of delicate fibre, then you may consider placing the workout clothes in a mesh laundry bag for protection against agitation during the rinse cycle. The laundry bag helps to preserve the shape and texture of fabric of the workout clothes.
- Turn the workout clothes inside out before placing the clothes in the washing machine. Placing the clothes inside out helps in washing the difficult-to-reach areas that tend to be more prone to bacterial growth.
- Make sure that the washing machine is clean and dry before tossing your workout clothes into the machine. In order to clean the washing machine, add a few tablespoons of vinegar and baking soda into the machine and run a cycle to keep the machine smelling fresh.
- Store the workout clothes in a well-ventilated wardrobe to prevent moisture accumulation and foul odour.
Conclusion:
You may now be fully aware of the various tips and tricks of maintaining cleanliness of workout clothes. If you are a busy professional with little to no time in your hands for washing your workout clothes then you may consider reaching out to Hello Laundry. Hello Laundry offers premium laundry services at affordable rates.