The clothes you wear to the gym or out jogging are put to the test during each use. Here’s how to keep them in shape.
Squats and pushups are a great way to stay fit. But the clothes you wear during those activities have to put up with some pretty hot and sweaty conditions.
In order to make sure your gym clothes remain in top condition, care and maintenance are imperative.
Here are a few gym clothes maintenance tips you may want to try.
Step up with vinegar
Gym clothes are often made of lycra or spandex and, although they are water repellent, can generate quite a smell from sweat and body oil buildup.
Vinegar has always proven to be a great deodorizer and natural cleaner.
- Pre-soak clothes with 1 cup of vinegar in cold water for 15-30 minutes
- Wash clothes as regular
- Add an additional cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle
If a smell is extremely pungent, add 1 cup of baking soda to the wash cycle and complete the previous steps mentioned.
Tackle the smell with alternative methods
You can’t always wash your gym clothes after each workout, especially if you are dedicated to exercising every day.
Luckily there are many easy alternatives for keeping gym smells at bay between washes.
- Place the clothes in the sun — sunlight is a completely natural deodorizer
- Place clothes in the freezer — the ice cold air eliminates the smells by closing the fibers of the garment
- Let the materials air out between gym visits
A very important thing to remember when washing or caring for your workout clothes is to avoid using fabric softener. The chemicals in fabric softener often weaken the synthetic fibres of the clothes and reduce their longevity.
Regular physical activity is good for the body, and it’s a lot more fun in clothes that don’t stink. Best of luck to you in your workout adventures!
Photo Credit: CC Image Courtesy of MilitaryHealth