You’ve probably spent hundreds of dollars on activewear. A single Lululemon workout set alone can cost $200. And decent workout leggings can cost between $50 and $90 a piece. After investing in quality sportswear, you’ll want to get as much use out of it as possible. And that means you need to wash your active clothes separately.
Because of the materials used, activewear can be difficult to clean without losing elasticity or wicking power. Most running clothes are made of polyester, nylon and other materials that can wear out quickly if not washed properly. And that’s not to mention how easily these clothes collect sweat, lint and grime.
You probably spent a pretty penny on yours leggings, sports brasathletic shorts and yoga pants, so you’ll want to wash them properly to extend the lifespan of each article. Here is the way.
Read more: Check out our guide on the best way to do this clean the yoga mat again how to clean running shoes.
All you need to get started
To clean your active clothes, you will only need a few things that you probably have around your home.
- Cleanser.
- Woolite or other detergent for delicate fabrics.
- Vinegar (optional).
Most of your sports wear can be washed in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water.
The best way to clean active clothes
Most of your athletic wear can be machine washed washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. As with any other laundry, separate the darks from the lights, and turn all clothes inside out before putting them in the washing machine.
Leggings, shorts, yoga and sweatpants
Most machine-safe items are easy to wash. After separating into piles and turning the clothes inside out, add detergent and start the cold cycle. Water temperature is important. Hot water can damage fabric fibers, and many detergents are designed to work best in cold water anyway.
Cotton gym clothes, like most t-shirts, can be washed on a regular cycle, but still hold up in cold water.
Pro tip: If your clothes smell after machine washing, soak the item in water with a cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes or more and machine wash again.
Sports bras
I recommend hand washing your sports bras to prevent pilling or wrinkling. Simply fill your sink with cold water and add about half a cup of Woolite or other mild detergent. Allow to soak for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing with clean water.
Athletic shoes
For a full list of running shoe cleaners, check out our guide here.
The best way to dry functional clothes is to lay them down.
How are you going to set up functional clothes?
I know it’s tempting to throw your clothes in the dryer for a quick process, but it’s better to skip the dryer when it comes to functional clothes. Heat can damage the fibers, making your workout clothes less stretchy, tighter and cooler. It is best practice to lay out active clothes and let them dry, so that the clothes retain their shape.
Looking for more workout recommendations? Check out four ways to make your workout funand how to do it lose weight and gain muscle at the same time.
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