Workout clothes can be a breeding ground for bacteria, often resulting in stubborn sweat odors that don’t disappear easily. You’re not alone if you’re struggling with keeping your gym gear fresh. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively eliminate the sweat smell from your workout clothes. How to Get Sweat Smell out of Workout Clothes?
Why Do My Workout Clothes Smell Sweaty?
“Even if you’ve just washed your workout clothes, they may still emit a sweaty workout cloth odor if they’re not completely clean,” explains Mary Marlowe Leverette, an expert in cleaning and fabric care who consults for laundry detergent and brands, textile distributors, and laundry appliance makers.
There’s also a scientific explanation for why this odor might seem stronger when you start exercising. “When body oils and bacteria remain in the fabric, the heat from your body soil can activate the bacteria trapped in the fibers, releasing odors into the fresh air,” Leverette notes.
In essence, if your athletic wear or workout gear continues to smell after washing, it might be time to reevaluate your laundry methods and practices.
How to Get Sweat Smell out of Workout Clothes and Clothes Properly?
1. Washing Workout Clothes Immediately After Use
One of the best ways to prevent sweat smells from setting in is to wash workout clothes properly as soon as possible after wearing them. The longer sweat and bacteria sit on the fabric, the more difficult it becomes to remove the after-odor from workout top. If you can’t wash them immediately, at least air them out to dry before tossing them in the hamper.
- Begin by filling a sink with a mixture of one part distilled white vinegar to four parts cold water.
- Submerge your activewear in this solution, allowing it to soak for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Once soaked, organize the activewear by color—separate darks from lights. Avoid mixing them with heavy items like towels or jeans, and ensure zippers are closed to avoid snagging.
- Before washing clothes, turn the workout gear clothes inside out to target bacteria and grime more effectively on the workout clothes inside of the garments.
- Use about 2 teaspoons of detergent for a full load, and reduce the amount if washing only a few items.
- Set your washing machine to use cold water and select the gentle cycle to protect the fibers of your workout clothing from damage due to hot water and vigorous agitation.
- Finally, air-dry your workout clothes on a drying rack. Choose the lowest heat setting to minimize fabric damage if you must use a dryer.
2. Turn Gym Clothes Inside Out
Sweat and bacteria accumulate on the inside of your gym clothes, so turning them inside out before washing allows the detergent to better target the source and get rid more of the odor. This simple step ensures a more thorough cleaning, especially for items that come in close contact with your skin, like sports bras and leggings.
3. Use the Right Detergent
Not all detergents are created equal. For workout gym clothes, it’s important to use a detergent specifically designed to fight odors. Look for detergents that contain enzymes, which break down sweat and bacteria more effectively. Some detergents are even formulated to work well in cold water, which is ideal for preserving the elasticity and color of your workout gear.
4. Add White Vinegar or Baking Soda
White vinegar and baking soda are both natural deodorizers that can help remove body odor and eliminate sweat smells. Add a cup of white vinegar or a half cup of baking soda to your washing machine during the rinse cycle. Vinegar neutralizes odors while also softening fabrics, and baking soda works to lift and remove odors from the fabric.
5. Avoid Fabric Softener
Although fabric softeners make your gym clothes feel softer, they can trap odors in sweaty clothes, by leaving a residue that locks in bacteria. Instead, opt for vinegar or baking soda as mentioned above, or try a sports-specific fabric conditioner designed to work with moisture-wicking fabrics.
6. Pre-Soak in Vinegar Solution
For particularly stubborn odors, pre-soak your gym clothes in a mixture of one part white vinegar to four parts cold water for about 30 minutes before washing. This step helps to break down the bacteria and loosen up sweat particles embedded in the fabric.
7. Use Hot Water Occasionally
While washing workout clothes in cold water is generally recommended to keep body odor and preserve the integrity of the fabric, using hot water occasionally can help kill bacteria and remove deep-set odors. However, be sure to check the care label on your clothes to avoid shrinking or damaging them.
8. Dry Clothes Outdoors
Sunlight is a natural deodorizer and sanitizer. If possible, dry your workout clothes outside in the sun. The ultraviolet rays help kill bacteria and freshen up your clothes naturally.
If drying wash workout clothes outside isn’t an option, using a drying rack indoors with good airflow is preferable to using a dryer, which can wear out the elastic in activewear.
9. Use an Odor-Eliminating Spray
Odor-eliminating sprays designed for fabrics can be an effective quick fix for lingering smells. Spritz the inside of your gym clothes after each wear, especially if you can’t wash them immediately. These sprays neutralize odors and prevent them from setting in until you can launder your clothes.
10. Regularly Clean Your Washing Machine
Sometimes, the culprit of lingering odors from dirty clothes is the washing machine itself. Residue from detergent and fabric softeners can build up over time, leading to a less effective wash. Run an empty cycle with hot water and a cup of white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner to keep your machine in top condition and ensure your gym clothes come out smelling fresh.
11. Store Workout Clothes Properly
Once clean, ensure that your gym clothes are fully dry before storing them in hang dry themselves. Any remaining moisture can lead to mildew, which will cause unpleasant odors. Store your clothes in a dry, well-ventilated area to keep them fresh until their next use.
Tips for Preventing Sweaty-Smelling Workout Clothes in the Future
If you’re looking to avoid permanently smelly activewear, here are some expert-recommended strategies:
- Choose Moisture-Wicking Fabrics: According to Dr. Mona Gohara, a Connecticut-based dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, opting for moisture-wicking activewear is essential. Unlike cotton, which absorbs and retains sweat, moisture-wicking materials draw sweat away from your body and facilitate its evaporation, helping to keep your clothes lighter and less prone to odor.
- Use Antiperspirant and Glycolic Acid: To minimize sweat and odor, switch from deodorant to an antiperspirant. Dr. Gohara also recommends using a glycolic acid pad on your armpits before applying antiperspirant. Glycolic acid lowers skin pH and combats odor-causing bacteria, though it should not replace your antiperspirant.
- Air Out Clothes Post-Workout: If immediate washing isn’t possible, air-dry your sweaty workout clothes instead of leaving them crumpled in a gym bag or car. This helps prevent odor buildup. Later, soak them in a water-and-vinegar solution for at least 30 minutes before washing, suggests fabric care expert Mary Marlowe Leverette.
- Moderate Detergent Use: More laundry detergent does not mean cleaner clothes; in fact, it can worsen odors by creating a residue that breeds bacteria and yeast. Leverette advises against using extra detergent.
- Avoid Liquid Fabric Softener: Never use fabric softeners on activewear. They can trap odors and degrade the material by coating and breaking down the fibers, according to Leverette.
- Incorporate a Laundry Sanitizer: Leverette suggests using a laundry sanitizer approximately once a month to combat bacteria and prevent odors before they start.
- Always Air-Dry Activewear: Air-drying is preferable to machine drying, which can set odors into the fabric and shorten the lifespan of your clothes. However, avoid drying clothes over a radiator or in direct sunlight, as high heat can damage the material.
Conclusion
Sweat smell in workout clothes can be persistent, but with the right techniques, it’s possible to keep your gear smelling fresh. By washing immediately, using odor-fighting detergents, adding natural deodorizers, and employing proper drying techniques, you can ensure your workout clothes stay clean and odor-free, ready for your next gym session.
FAQ
How do you get sweat smell out of gym clothes?
After using it for ten minutes, soak in the training equipment immediately. In addition, wash clothes with bleach in powder form.
Why do my clothes still smell of bo after washing?
If clothes need to be cleaned to remove odor, they need air to cool completely. If the odour is placed in enclosed spaces when damp the odor will not go away.
How to get smell out of tech shirt?
A vinegar presoak should eliminate any smell, so use vinegar on soiled clothing. Take a look at your detergents and use them regularly.
