We’ve all been there—after an intense workout, your gym clothes are drenched in sweat and ready for a good wash. But no matter how many times you try, that lingering odor just won’t go away. If your gym clothes have crossed the line from "slightly sweaty" to "downright stinky," it’s time for a new approach. In this article, you'll learn the best tips to remove stubborn odors, avoid common laundry mistakes, and keep your activewear fresh for longer. Ready to say goodbye to smelly gym clothes? Let’s get started!
Why Gym Clothes Get Extra Smelly
Unlike regular clothing,gym clothes are made from high-performance fabrics designed to wick away sweat. While this keeps you comfortable during a workout, it also traps bacteria, body oils, and odor in the fabric. Add to this the fact that your gym clothes are exposed to heat and moisture during your workout, and it creates a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria. Don’t forget toclean your lifting straps, as they, too, absorb sweat and oils, making them another source of lingering smells.
Synthetic fabrics, commonly used in activewear, don’t absorb sweat like cotton. Instead, they repel moisture, making it harder for water alone to remove all the trapped bacteria and oils during a regular wash. That's why your gym clothes often still smell even after washing.
Smelly Gym Clothes? Here's How to Wash Them
Follow these key washing tips to effectively tackle sweat, bacteria, and odors and keep your gym clothes smelling fresh and performing at their best.
Air Dry Gym Clothes Before Washing
Before tossing your gym clothes in the laundry, it’s important to air dry them if they’re damp or sweaty. Letting your workout gear sit in a pile or hamper while still wet allows bacteria and odors to build up, making the smell harder to remove. By hanging your clothes up to dry, you reduce the moisture and slow down bacteria growth. This simple step helps prevent the stink from setting in, ensuring your clothes are easier to clean when you’re ready to wash them. Plus, it reduces the risk of mildew forming on the fabric. Whether you’re figuring outwhat to wear to the gym or just finishing up your workout, always aim to air dry your gear as soon as possible afterward.
Start Soaking in a Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda
Soaking your gym clothes in a mixture of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) is an effective way to break down tough odors before washing. The vinegar naturally fights bacteria and helps dissolve oils trapped in the fabric, while baking soda acts as a powerful deodorizer. To soak, fill a bucket or sink with cold water, add one cup of white vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, and mix well. Let your clothes soak for about 30 minutes. This process helps loosen sweat, grime, and odor-causing bacteria, ensuring your gym clothes come out fresher after the wash. Don't forget to treat yourpadded and non-padded lifting straps the same way, as they also trap sweat and bacteria. It’s an easy, natural pre-treatment for stubborn smells.
Lighten Laundry Detergent
When washing gym clothes, using too much detergent can actually make odors worse. Excess detergent doesn’t always rinse out completely, especially with synthetic fabrics, and the leftover residue can trap sweat, bacteria, and odors in your clothes. Instead, use a smaller amount of detergent—just enough to clean the clothes without leaving residue. For high-performance activewear, a lighter load of detergent is often more effective at getting your gym clothes clean and odor-free. If needed, opt for a detergent specifically made for sportswear, as these are designed to work with the fabric without causing buildup. Using less detergent can help your gym clothes stay fresh longer.
Avoid Fabric Softener
Using fabric softener on gym clothes seems like a good idea, but it does more harm than good. Fabric softeners leave a waxy coating on the fibers, which traps sweat, bacteria, and odors inside the fabric. Over time, this buildup makes it harder to get rid of the smell and can even reduce the effectiveness of moisture-wicking materials, making your clothes feel less breathable during workouts. Instead, opt for natural alternatives like white vinegar in the rinse cycle, which softens fabrics and helps eliminate odors without leaving behind any residue. By avoiding fabric softener, you’ll keep your gym clothes fresher and performing better.
Wash Similar Material Fabrics Inside Out
When washing gym clothes, it’s best to turn them inside out, especially when washing similar material fabrics like performance wear. The inside of your clothes is where most of the sweat, oils, and bacteria accumulate. By washing them inside out, the detergent can better target these areas and remove odors more effectively. This also helps protect the outer fabric from friction in the wash, reducing wear and tear and keeping your clothes looking newer for longer. If you tend towork out in a cold garage gym, where you might sweat less but still build up odor, turning clothes inside out becomes even more important to ensure all areas are properly cleaned. Washing similar fabrics together ensures they clean evenly, preventing damage caused by rougher materials rubbing against delicate performance fabrics.
Keep Your Gym Clothes Fresh and Odor-Free
Keeping your gym clothes fresh and odor-free doesn’t have to be a challenge. By following these simple but effective washing techniques—air drying before washing, soaking in vinegar and baking soda, using the right amount of detergent, skipping fabric softener, and washing clothes inside out—you can tackle stubborn smells and keep your activewear performing at its best. With a little extra care, your gym clothes will stay cleaner, last longer, and keep you feeling confident during every workout.
