What do you do with the gym apparel after an intense workout at the gym? Do you toss them into plastic bags, or do you let them air dry? Many people have different ideas of what to do with sportswear after using them in a workout. However, maintaining the cleanliness of gym apparel is a challenge that many people face in their everyday lives. Therefore, we give you a few tips to help keep your sports apparel clean and fresh:
Soak clothes in vinegar solution
After an intense workout which leads to the secretion of sweat from your body, immediately soak your gym apparel in a mixture of cold water and vinegar. The ratio of vinegar and water should be 1 part vinegar and approximately three parts water. Moreover, add some baking soda in the mixture in order to eliminate the unpleasant odor of sweat. Soak the clothes in this mixture for thirty minutes prior to washing them.
Use a scent free detergent
Use a scent free detergent when washing the clothes. Even though scent free detergent feels like a better choice, it is not good for sports apparel. The scent in the detergent can leave stains and residue on the clothes even after they are washed. Thus, scented detergents are known to degrade the quality of the fabric of the gym apparel. They diminish their fit and flexibility.
Avoid fabric softeners
When washing gym clothes avoid using fabric softeners. Some people believe that using fabric softeners helps clean and give their sportswear a fresher look. However, fabric softeners do not go well with such clothes. They not only lock the unpleasant sweat in the material but also break down lycra and similar materials used in sportswear. This would cause your gym apparel to lose its shape.
Air dry the apparel
After your sports apparel is washed in the laundry, hang them out in the sun and let them air dry. If you use a dryer, set the dryer to a minimum heat setting, as excessive heat from the dryers could cause your clothes to shrink in size. Nothing is worse than wearing tights that are too short and uncomfortable.
Maintain cleanliness of workout shoes
It is essential to wash your workout shoes every once in a while. Remove the shoe laces before wash. Similarly, to keep your shoes clean on a regular basis, use a soft bristled brush and scrape off the dirt from the shoes after an intense workout.
Store apparel carefully
When storing workout apparel in a bag, use separate bags for shoes and a separate one for the clothes. Some people tend to stuff both in one bag which causes the bad odor in the clothes and invites the growth of bacteria. This might also lead to skin allergies.
To conclude, dealing with malodorous gym apparel is a challenge that many people face and we hope that these tips help you to maintain the cleanliness of your gym clothes.