Whether you spend a lot or a little on workout clothes and gear, you want it to look good and work well. If you take good care of your fitness items, they will last a long time and serve you well.
You always want to wash workout clothes as soon as possible. If you are working up a sweat, you don’t want that to linger on your clothing. Don’t let your workout clothes sit in the dirty laundry and grow bacteria. This is a good habit to get into!
If you really can’t wash immediately, then be sure to at least rinse off the clothes. You can also toss them in a tub of water with a little soap, baking soda and vinegar. This staves off the stench and then you can wash when you have more time.
Follow your clothing’s care instructions and make sure to wash your fitness gear separately and not with any of your regular laundry. Just like regular clothes you will want to separate brights from whites, too.
For smaller items you can use a lingerie bag for more protection. A cold water wash on the delicate cycle is generally the way to go to keep your fitness apparel looking and feeling great.
High heat can break down the elasticity and fibers in many workout clothes, so avoid the dryer if you can. Hang drying these items will work the best. If you are in a pinch, you can dry something on a very low heat setting, but keep an eye on it since you don’t want your workout clothes to come out misshapen.
Using a gentle detergent will also prolong the life of your fitness apparel. Avoid softeners, harsh detergents and bleach as well. Any of these ingredients can affect the technical abilities of the fabric, such as moisture wicking properties.