Q: How do you keep stains and smells out of your workout clothes?
Amy Marsh answers
A: If you can’t remember the last time you saw the bottom of your laundry basket, you aren’t alone. As athletes we deal with sour-smelling clothes every day, so we’re constantly washing our mile-high loads. The worst part is sweat can soak into your clothes and even remain smelly after washing (gross, right?). Don’t give up and go shopping for all new gear just yet. Our pro tips will help you get rid of those nasty odors.
Pro tip #1: After a sweat session, wash clothes immediately. If you don’t have time or access to your washer, you can hand wash them in cold water and soap (hand soap works fine in a pinch).
Pro tip #2: Use a detergent specifically formulated to treat sports and fitness clothing, since these feature the right mix of ingredients to care for active wear fabrics — spandex, microfiber and polyester, to name a few.
Pro tip #3: This is an old trick that’s worth mentioning. Mix equal parts baking soda with your detergent to help eliminate odors and remove stubborn stains.
Pro tip #4: Rub a stain remover on the underarms and neckline of your active tees before loading them in the wash. Because these areas are most affected by your salty sweat, they need special attention.
Pro tip #5: Hang up your sweaty clothes to dry instead of wadding them up and tossing in the hamper. Wet clothes can get mildewed if bunched and unable to breathe for long periods of time. At that point, it’s much harder to get rid of the odor in one wash. One of the best things is to hang your clothes outside in the direct sunlight to help deter bacteria buildup.