Many people believe that they should wash their sportswear in the washing machine after every wear. But this is not always necessary - it can even shorten the life of your clothes. Here's what you need to keep in mind when washing sportswear!
There are countless myths surrounding sportswear. One assumption that persists is that you have to boil sportswear. However, this is not true!
Light odors, dust and germs are easily removed with 20- or 30-degree wash cycles. In this area, today's washing machines are particularly efficient.
Many durable materials and high-quality textiles tolerate only mild washing at low temperatures. This also has positive effects on the environment and the wallet.
Sweat and bacteria are the main culprits when it comes to sportswear needing to be washed. Sweat makes sportswear smell and bacteria can cause skin irritation.
One thing is certain: Sweating is healthy. And every wash cycle is a strain on textiles (whether sports gear or not). This is especially true for impregnated clothing such as rain jackets or ski pants - they become water-permeable through frequent washing.
You should regularly wash your T-shirt, shorts, sports bra, etc. - in other words, all items of clothing that lie directly on your skin. Don't wait too long, as salty sweat attacks functional materials.
But let's look at it in detail now.
Table of contents
Hand wash versus washing machine
It is not necessary to throw your sportswear in the washing machine after every workout. This not only harms the clothes, but also the environment.
Instead, shirts, pants, leggings and even sports bras can be washed by hand directly after training. All you need is lukewarm water and soap. Rinse well and hang the clothes to dry.
After about three to four hand washes, you then put the sportswear in the washing machine. By the way, this does not apply to briefs, which should always be put in the washing machine.
If you have a lot of hiking socks or clothes made of merino wool, it is enough to air the clothes well. Preferably outdoors in high humidity. Merino wool is self-cleaning and does not begin to smell. The water vapor in the air removes odors. You can easily do this 2-3 times before washing the garment.
Sweating in the crotch? You can do that!
What is the best way to wash sportswear?
When you wash your sports clothes, make sure you wash them alone if possible and use the gentle cycle with a low spin speed or, if possible, the sports program on your washing machine. Most sportswear can be washed at temperatures between 30°C and 40°C.
- Frequency: Synthetic fabrics can hold sweat and bacteria and should therefore be washed after each wear.
- TimeIf you are wearing clothes for a strenuous activity, such as running or playing tennis, you should wash sportswear as soon as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria. If you wear sportswear for a light workout, such as walking or a short yoga session, you can often put it on a second time.
- Wash separately: Wash functional clothing separately to prevent residue from other cotton and natural material garments from sticking to it.
- Detergent for sportswear: Sportswear is made of synthetic fibers that require special care. The function of sportswear must be maintained by gentle washing. Liquid mild detergent is ideal for this purpose. If your washing machine does not have a sports program, choose a low temperature (30 degrees) and a low spin cycle. Wash all garments from the inside out.
- Dry properlyTo maintain the breathability of your workout clothes for a long time, you should only dry them at a low temperature in the tumble dryer. It is better to dry the clothes in the air.
Important: Do not use fabric softener to wash sportswear! It reduces the function of sportswear and is not suitable for synthetic materials.
Rain jackets, special rainproof hiking pants and the like are impregnated to protect you from rain. The impregnation layer is reduced by each wash cycle. Let the clothes dry and then apply waterproofing spray.
| Material | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Spandex | 30° |
| Viscose | 30 - 40° |
| Merino | 30 - 40° |
| Nylon | 40° |
| Gore Tex | 40° |
| Cotton | 60° |
| Polyester | 40° |
| Blended fabric | 30 - 40° |
How can I wash sportswear in the washing machine?
Normally, modern sportswear can be washed in the washing machine without any problems.
The right temperature
Pay attention to the washing instructions on the label! Each garment is made of different materials with different treatments, so different care is required. Therefore, there is no universal rule for cleaning sportswear.
Have you already removed the label? There are a few terms you can use for orientation: In general, 30 to 40 degrees is sufficient to wash sportswear appropriately - this also applies to sports socks.
For extremely fine fabrics such as merino wool and cotton blends such as spandex and viscose, a gentle wash cycle of 30 degrees is recommended. Gore-Tex garments, on the other hand, can be machine washed at 40 degrees, but only on the gentle cycle.
The washing program
It's also important to properly prepare your sportswear for the washing machine. If you always wash your favorite clothes inside out, it's worth the effort, they will be much more durable.
All zippers and snaps should be closed to prevent damage. Velcro fasteners and hard materials, such as sports shoes and shin guards, require special attention. These sports clothes should be washed separately by hand.
Use laundry net
Washing nets are a great way to prevent "washing disasters". They come in different sizes and are a fantastic invention, especially for clothes made of polyester, nylon or hybrid materials, which are popular for sportswear. Wash bags protect textiles from abrasion and at the same time help prevent fiber loss.
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Why do sports clothes smell so unpleasant?
Fresh sweat is an odorless solution consisting essentially of salt and water. It is only through direct contact with germs, which are naturally present in large quantities on human skin, that an unpleasant odor is created. This is then transferred to the clothing.
Odors are also influenced by the textiles worn, which absorb sweat odors to varying degrees. Sportswear made of synthetic fabrics such as polyester in particular tends to have a strong odor. Bacteria can multiply quickly here.
Often, sweat odor molecules in garments are not completely eliminated. Therefore, even freshly washed shirts or pants often smell unpleasant. In such a case, it is worth washing the clothes with soap in hand wash and then again additionally in the washing machine.
Do I need a special sportswear detergent?
For sportswear made of cotton and a mix of fibers, normal liquid detergent is perfectly adequate. Use as little as possible. Because when it comes to detergents and the like, less is more when it comes to sportswear!
Fabric softeners and bleaches are harmful to functional materials and high quality textiles and therefore not a good idea for sportswear.
Washing sportswear: the most frequently asked questions
How to wash a fleece jacket?
Over time, small knots will form on the surface of the fleece garment. To keep the material fluffy, wash the items inside out and spin only briefly. Since fleece loses its cozy and insulating properties even at low temperatures, you should not iron it.
Can you wash sportswear together?
It makes sense to wash your clothes separately. According to experts, there are two reasons for this: First, you run the risk of your sportswear looking old and tattered. This is because shirts and leggings are often made of extremely fine, breathable material that can be damaged if it comes into contact with denim, sequins or zippers.
Secondly, sportswear is sweaty and, depending on the intensity of the workout, can develop a scent all its own. If you wash them in the normal laundry with fabric softener and hot water, the elasticity will quickly diminish. In addition, you risk that an unpleasant odor settles in the entire clothing.
Can you wash sportswear at 40 degrees?
If your washing machine does not have a sports wash cycle, choose options such as "Gentle Care" or "Easy Care". The washing temperature should not be higher than 30 to 40 degrees. Look at the label to determine the actual temperature. Most sports clothes are washed at 30 degrees.
Why not wash sportswear with fabric softener?
Fabric softener sticks to the fibers after the wash cycle. The washing additive has a water-repellent effect. Therefore, the fabric no longer absorbs sweat so well and cannot transport it away from a body. Likewise, the fabric softener attacks the elasticity of the fibers.
Can I wash sports shoes in the washing machine?
You can wash sneakers and running shoes in a separate wash bag or pillowcase at 30 degrees. Use mild detergent or liquid soap and a low spin cycle to clean them. Let the damp shoes air dry (but not on the heater) before wrapping them in newspaper.
If the unpleasant smell does not disappear after these suggestions, the shoes can be packed in a plastic bag and frozen overnight. The odor-causing germs die in the freezer - and the cheese smell is completely gone!
My sports bra smells strong, what can I do?
After your workout, you can soak your sports bra in lukewarm water with a mild baby shampoo. You can also just take it with you in the shower and knead it really hard and rinse it out.
If the workout was very sweaty, you can machine wash the sports bra on the delicate cycle - but only after every third or fourth hand wash. Never use fabric softener, as this will damage the fibers of the bra over time and cause it to wear out.
Our conclusion
If you want to wash sportswear, you have to pay attention to the specifics of the clothes. Not too hot, no fabric softener and a gentle program is the motto if you want to be happy with your training clothes for a long time. If in doubt, 30° is always the right temperature. Do without aggressive detergents and you can, then nothing stands in the way of the wash!
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