One of the best parts of starting a new workout regimen can be investing in new activewear. Well, let’s face it, even if you have worked out for years, it’s still fun to find new yoga apparel, activewear clothing or the best quality leggings that you just love. It makes working out that much more fun. In addition, the right activewear can keep you cool and prevent uncomfortable chafing. Of course, after purchasing these pieces — this investment in your wellbeing — you will want to ensure you keep them looking great for years to come, but how? Is it okay to care for workout clothes for women the same way you would any other clothing? In short, no. You have to treat them a bit differently...here’s how:
How to Care For Your Activewear
Don’t Leave it In Your Bag
It’s easy to change out of activewear to go to work and forget to take your clothes out of the bag once you are home. Taking them out and starting the cleaning process is a good habit to get into when you are trying to keep activewear in good shape. As soon as possible, take them out of your bag and get them washed.
Hang to Dry
The dryer is enemy number one when it comes to keeping your workout clothes for women. The dryer will fade patterns, reduce the elasticity of the fabric and in general just cause it to look worn way too soon. To combat this, skip the dryer. Hang them up instead. Invest in either a drying rack or a hanger with clips to make the job of hanging all your clothing up after it’s been washed a bit easier.
Use The Right Detergent
The odor left behind from a good workout isn’t exactly pleasant to the nose. Instead of simply trying to cover up the odors, you want to ensure they are removed from the fabric of your workout clothing. To do this, it’s a good idea to invest in laundry detergent specifically designed with activewear in mind. HEX makes a product that is designed to remove odor, penetrate grime and stain as well as protect against future odor. Another good option is WIN Sports Detergent. This detergent is designed to remove odor-causing oils and is optimized to clean synthetic fabrics. Regular detergent is not designed to work with synthetic fabrics or attack entrenched odors.
Hand Wash
It’s not always easy to hand wash clothes, but when possible, this is a good idea to keep your activewear looking good for years to come. If you simply don’t have the time (we get it), opt for cold water and the gentle cycle on your washing machine when cleaning your workout gear.