Quality athletic wear represents a significant investment, and proper care can dramatically extend the lifespan and performance of your workout clothing. Many people unknowingly damage their gym gear through well-intentioned but incorrect washing and drying practices. This guide covers everything you need to know about caring for athletic wear to keep it performing like new for as long as possible.
Understanding Performance Fabrics
Before diving into care instructions, it helps to understand what makes performance fabrics special. Most modern athletic wear incorporates synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and spandex that have been engineered to wick moisture, stretch with movement, and dry quickly.
These properties come from the structure and treatment of the fibres themselves. Improper care can damage this structure or strip away beneficial treatments, reducing your garment's performance even if it still looks intact.
How Damage Occurs
Heat is the primary enemy of performance fabrics. High temperatures can melt or warp synthetic fibres, destroying their carefully engineered structure. This is why most athletic wear care labels specify cold water washing and low or no-heat drying.
Fabric softeners present another common problem. These products work by coating fabric fibres with a thin layer of lubricating chemicals. On performance fabrics, this coating clogs the pores that allow moisture to escape, effectively disabling the moisture-wicking properties you paid for.
Washing Best Practices
Pre-Wash Preparation
Turn your athletic wear inside out before washing. Most odour-causing bacteria accumulate on the inside of garments, where they contact your skin. Turning clothes inside out exposes this surface directly to water and detergent for more effective cleaning.
Zip up any zippers and fasten velcro closures to prevent them from snagging on other garments during the wash cycle. Empty all pockets, as forgotten items can cause damage or staining.
Choosing the Right Settings
Always wash athletic wear in cold water. Hot water can damage elastic fibres, cause shrinkage, and set in stains rather than removing them. Cold water is equally effective at cleaning workout clothes while protecting the fabric.
Use the gentle or delicate cycle to reduce mechanical stress on your garments. The vigorous agitation of normal wash cycles can stretch out elastic fibres and cause premature wear, especially on compression garments and items with delicate mesh panels.
Detergent Selection
Use a mild, liquid detergent for athletic wear. Powder detergents can leave residue that clogs fabric pores, similar to fabric softener. Avoid detergents with added fabric softeners or conditioners.
Some brands offer specialised sports detergents formulated to address the unique challenges of athletic wear, particularly odour removal. These can be worth trying if you struggle with persistent smells in your workout clothes despite regular washing.
Quantity Matters
Use less detergent than you might think necessary. Excess detergent creates more suds than can be effectively rinsed away, leaving residue on your clothes. This residue attracts dirt, harbours bacteria, and interferes with moisture-wicking properties.
For a regular load of athletic wear, use about half the amount of detergent recommended on the bottle. If your clothes still smell fresh after washing, you are using the right amount.
Drying Techniques
Air Drying Is Best
Whenever possible, hang your athletic wear to air dry. This gentle approach eliminates heat damage and extends the life of elastic fibres. Most synthetic fabrics dry remarkably quickly, especially when hung in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid direct sunlight for extended drying, as UV rays can fade colours and degrade some synthetic materials over time. A shaded outdoor area or indoor drying rack works best.
If You Must Use a Dryer
When air drying is not practical, use the lowest heat setting available on your dryer. Better yet, use the air-dry or tumble-dry-no-heat setting if your machine offers one. Synthetic fabrics dry quickly even without heat.
Remove garments from the dryer promptly when the cycle ends. Leaving them sitting in a warm, humid environment can encourage bacterial growth and cause wrinkles to set in.
What Never to Do
Never iron athletic wear unless the care label specifically indicates it is safe. The direct heat of an iron can melt synthetic fibres, leaving permanent damage. Most performance fabrics are designed to be wrinkle-resistant anyway.
Avoid dry cleaning for athletic wear. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can damage performance fabrics and strip away moisture-wicking treatments.
Dealing with Odours
Athletic wear can develop persistent odours that survive normal washing, particularly if garments are left damp in a gym bag for extended periods. Several strategies can address this common problem.
Prevention First
The best approach is preventing odour buildup in the first place. After your workout, hang sweaty clothes to air out rather than stuffing them in a bag. The faster they dry, the less opportunity bacteria have to multiply and create odours.
When possible, wash athletic wear within a day or two of use. The longer damp, bacteria-laden clothes sit, the more stubborn the odours become.
Deep Cleaning Methods
For garments with set-in odours, try soaking them in a mixture of cold water and white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing. Use about one cup of vinegar per gallon of water. The acidity helps kill odour-causing bacteria.
Baking soda offers another natural option. Add half a cup to your wash cycle along with your regular detergent. Its mild alkalinity helps neutralise acidic odour compounds.
When to Replace
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, athletic wear develops permanent odours that no amount of washing can remove. At this point, the fibres themselves have absorbed bacteria deep into their structure. For hygiene and comfort, it is time to replace the garment.
Storage Considerations
Store athletic wear in a clean, dry environment with adequate ventilation. Avoid plastic bags or airtight containers that can trap moisture and encourage mildew growth.
If you are storing seasonal athletic wear for extended periods, ensure garments are completely clean and dry first. Any residual moisture or dirt can cause problems over months of storage.
Fold knit items like t-shirts and singlets rather than hanging them to prevent stretching. Items with more structure, like sports bras and some jackets, can be hung to maintain their shape.
By following these care guidelines, you can significantly extend the useful life of your athletic wear while maintaining its performance properties. The small extra effort pays dividends in cost savings and consistently comfortable, effective workout gear.