Curious how to wash workout clothes? These 5 life hacks will help you keep your fitness gear fresh longer no matter how sweaty you get.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of all. The opinions and text are all my own.
Hi everyone!
Please tell me I'm not the only one to ever wash workout gear only to have it STILL stink? It's the worst! Before I figured out how to wash workout clothes the right way I ruined more than one piece of expensive gear washing it the wrong way. And we all know how expensive good workout gear can be... so that's the last thing you want to do!
While I'm not working out as much as I used to, I'm still going through plenty of my running clothes (the ones that still fit-lol) with my slow jogs every few days. That means the stinky fitness gear can pile up quick! Add the Hub's clothes in the mix and we've got a lot of laundry with just workout clothes. Through the years, there's been a lot of trial and error to figure out the best way to keep my gear fresh and I thought I'd pass on the knowledge to you guys!
How to Wash Workout Clothes to Keep them Fresh Longer
Dry Before Putting Them in Hamper
This first life hack is critical. Don't ever drop your super sweaty clothes right into the hamper. Lie them out to dry first. I hate messing up my pretty bathroom (I still owe you guys a bathroom tour!) with clothes like this but it's the best place for me to dry mine before I drop them in the hamper.
They need to air out! Luckily they are designed to dry quickly so they don't have to stay there for long.
Wash Inside Out
After letting your clothes dry, turn them inside out! The bacteria that causes the gear to stink collects on the inside of the clothes, so turning them inside out before washing allows the water and detergent to have more contact with the actual source of the smells.
It also keeps the outside of your clothes that everyone sees looking better for longer.
Use all® Odor Lifter
When it comes to washing stinky workout clothes the kind of detergent you use matters! all® Odor Lifter is the perfect choice for all of your fitness fabric. It's specially designed to be tough on stains and odors to leave your clothes clean and fresh while still being gentle to delicate technical fabrics.
all® Odor Lifter fights tough odors easily using in-wash pre-treaters with active stainlifters for great stain removal. It's a combo that works even on your clothes from that 10-miler in 90% humidity.
all® also makes the same line in mighty pacs® 4-in-1 if that's more your laundry style. The mighty pacs® provide four levels of clean in one easy pac; tackle odors, fight tough
stains, whitens, and brightens. It even has an in-wash pre-treaters making it so much easier to take care of stinky workout gear.
Both of these laundry detergents are safe to use in any washing machine and at any water temperature. If you have been wondering how to wash workout clothes... this detergent is the perfect place to start!
Don't Use Fabric Softener
I'm a sucker for fabric softener. I use it on everything EXCEPT workout clothes. Fabric softener doesn't work well with stretchy and moisture-wicking fabrics. It leaves behind a coating that makes it difficult for water and detergent to fully penetrate the fibers. Skip it with loads that contain your favorite fitness gear.
Air Dry
The last step is to air dry your workout clothes. Putting them in the dryer is tempting... I know. BUT there is something about technical fabrics that using heat actually makes them smell MORE and it kind of locks in the stink making it harder to get out in the future.
The fabrics tend to be quick-drying so it will not take long to dry on a rack. Plus they'll last a lot longer if they're not exposed to the heat and agitation of the dryer. It's a win-win!
all® Odor Lifter & all® mighty pacs® 4-in-1
Hopefully, these 5 life hacks will have your workout gear staying fresh for years and solve that long-standing problem of how to wash workout clothes! Remember to try all® next time you shop. It's the perfect detergent to tackle the smelliest of your workout gear.
I like that their odor lifter technology comes in both liquid and pacs from making it a great choice no matter how you like to do your laundry.
Like these life hacks? Find them later by pinning this...
Your turn!
Any tips you'd like to add?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of all. The opinions and text are all mine.
Michael Costello says
Well, thanks for sharing such useful tips. Normally I prefer to wash clothes with hands until there is any hard stain on it. I know it takes time but it will be good. I'll do it at night so in the next morning, clothes are dry, not daily but weekly.
Alisa Fleming says
We live in such a dry climate, my clothes are always dry by the time I get in the door! But they still need more TLC - I'll remember to turn them inside out immediately!
Tami says
All Odor Lifter is amazing. I can finally say this since I've been working out for the past few weeks and have All in my laundry cabinet.
Lorie says
Washing inside out is such a great idea! Thanks for all the tips!
Mackenzie says
Thank you for these tips, Julie!!!
Holly says
We've been using all Free and Clear forever! I had no idea they had an odor lifting laundry detergent - so exciting! And you're so right - work out clothes as super expensive so I'm loving all of your tips on keeping work out clothes fresh longer! Thanks!
GiGi Eats says
I actually don't think I have ever used ALL before! That being said, since I now have an elliptical in my house, I don't even care if I smell or not when working out, LMFAO!
Debbie@debbisthisandthat.blogspot.com says
These are great tips, Julie! I'll try some of these on my hubbie's hiking wear!!
brianne says
These are such great tips. My workout clothes always take a toll and never last long!
Erica Schwarz says
The not using fabric softener and air drying are crucial for compression wear especially. I do triathlons, so if I want those clothes to have any staying power, those steps are crucial. Wish I'd learned that years sooner!
Kelly says
I try and do most of these, but great reminders. I especially need to remember to let them dry before putting them in the hamper.
Jessica Levinson says
Thanks for sharing your tips! I can't wait to try All Odor Lifter!
Deborah Brooks says
Letting them dry before throwing them in the hamper is key and I often am too lazy to do this!
Whitney E, R.D. says
No body talk about this "dirty" little topic anymore! Thank you for sharing. These are some really wonderful tips and tricks that I just may have to incorporate in to my life 🙂
Marcie W. says
Thank you! I am an avid exerciser and dealing with yucky workout wear is a constant battle for me. These tips are so helpful, especially the one about not using fabric softener, since I truly had no idea.
Deryn says
Great tips. I could use these for sure! So. much. never-ending sweaty laundry.
Neely Moldovan says
Gah yes! My workout clothes especially in the summer are rough! We love all!
Katie Uhran says
Thanks for all of these tips, because I honestly didn't know any of these! I let the man do all the laundry and I do the folding...I think his way works better as my clothes smell better. I think he's using a few of these tips! 😉
Abbey Sharp says
Drying them out is a great tip! I always just throw them directly into the hamper! Awesome post
Teresa says
I never thought of letting my clothes dry before dropping them in the hamper. Great tip & easy to do too! I do these others already, plus since my washer has a setting to rinse twice, I always use that on my running & workout clothes. I have no science behind this, but it seems like an extra rinse can't hurt, right?
Annmarie says
Nicole and I were JUST discussing this on our podcast recently! Awesome tips - definitely going to get me some ALL!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I had no idea that workout clothes should dry first!! Thanks for that tip, I'll have to start using it today after my run.
Paula says
Well I'm not into "working out", but I do work in the garden & yard, so I'm certainly going to give that ALL oder lifter a try! Thanks for the info. I have a little hack I use to soften my cloths without all the chemicals & perfume.... I use about a 1/4 cut of baking soda. I also wash my towels & then wash the load in pure hot water with 1 cup of white vinegar & use the baking soda on them in the rinse load, keeps them fresh & absorbant.(I try to do this process a couple times during the year) Happy Laundering ????????