Washing exercise clothes

Posts: 1,038
3/17/13 10:51 A

My stuff will stink if I just toss sweaty clothes in the laundry basket when they're wet. I hang them to dry before I put them in the laundry

SparkPoints: (24,555)
Fitness Minutes: (17,999)
Posts: 1,572
3/16/13 11:03 P

I have a problem with sweat stains under the armpits and around the necks of my shirts because I work outside a lot, so today I bought a spray from the local sports store. It's called Espro Sports Cleaner stain remover with odor guard. It is environmentally friendly and says it removed grass stains, dirt, blood, sweat stains, red mud, grease, juice stains, and more! It even says what to do if they're old stains. So I'll repost after I've washed a few of my t-shirts.

Pounds lost: 4.4

0 2.75 5.5 8.25

11

SparkPoints: (68,874)
Fitness Minutes: (81,331)
Posts: 2,877
3/16/13 8:15 P

LOVE Tide Sport! Thanks for the recommendation. I used vinegar for my towels, and the smell hasn't faded. Yuk!

current weight: 167.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

SparkPoints: (6,094)
Fitness Minutes: (2,084)
Posts: 51
3/15/13 6:52 A

Didn't know about vinegar, how much per load and do you me white distilled? I've personally always used ammonia.

Pounds lost: 15.8

0 10.75 21.5 32.25

43

SparkPoints: (8,076)
Fitness Minutes: (6,396)
Posts: 606
3/2/13 2:10 P

I wash on gentle cycle, cold water, with whatever liquid detergent I might have...I make my detergent for my regular wash. I dry on low heat without any fabric sheet.

14 Days until:  ATL Peachtree Road Race

50 37 25 12

0

SparkPoints: (3,096)
Fitness Minutes: (1,629)
Posts: 209
3/2/13 1:55 P

I guess I don't work out hard enough (though my hr is up where it should be) to have ever needed to handle my workout clothes separately. I just throw them in when whatever else I'm washing. I usually use whatever detergent is on sale when I need more.

Pounds lost: 33.4

0 17.75 35.5 53.25

71

SparkPoints: (68,874)
Fitness Minutes: (81,331)
Posts: 2,877
3/2/13 1:22 P

I bought the Tide Sport with Febreeze. Then I got sick and couldn't exercise (or sweat) all week. I'll let you know how I like it when I finally have a need for it again.

Thanks again!

current weight: 167.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

SparkPoints: (6,770)
Fitness Minutes: (6,001)
Posts: 175
2/23/13 10:30 P

trynot-- I just dump it in on top of my clothes at the beginning of the load. :)

current weight: 182.4

211.2 195.9 180.6 165.3

150

Posts: 78
2/23/13 3:33 P

You should not use fabric softener on moisture-wicking workout clothes. It destroys the moisture wicking capability.

current weight: 144.5

151 145.25 139.5 133.75

128

Posts: 266
2/23/13 2:18 P

For those that use vinegar, what part of the cycle do you let the vinegar go in? With the detergent, bleach or fabric softener stage?

current weight: 160.0

177 166.5 156 145.5

135

Posts: 505
2/23/13 1:52 P

Nothing special I use Tide with Febreeze, and wash on the gentle cycle by themselves

current weight: 160.0

296 259.5 223 186.5

150

SparkPoints: (51,703)
Fitness Minutes: (41,804)
Posts: 1,482
2/23/13 1:01 P

I used Tide Sport w/ Febreeze, works great!

current weight: 185.0

203 188.5 174 159.5

145

SparkPoints: (6,770)
Fitness Minutes: (6,001)
Posts: 175
2/23/13 11:01 A

I recommend vinegar for any smelly clothes. I have a bed-wetter, so we get a lot of really gross laundry in this house. I do his sheets and pajamas on a heavy duty cycle and add about half a cup of vinegar to it. This also works for towels that get musty.

For my workout clothes, I just put them in whatever load they match (sports bra with whites, etc.) and add some vinegar to the load.

It does NOT make your stuff smell like vinegar. Your laundry room might smell like it for a few minutes after you put it in the washer, but it doesn't last very long. And it is amazing what a difference it makes to the smell of your clothes. :)

current weight: 182.4

211.2 195.9 180.6 165.3

150

SparkPoints: (68,874)
Fitness Minutes: (81,331)
Posts: 2,877
2/23/13 7:16 A

Thank you for all the great ideas!

current weight: 167.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

Posts: 3,172
2/23/13 6:40 A

I use Zero or another delicate detergent, wash in cold water and hang to dry.

June Minutes: 0

0 90 180 270

360

SparkPoints: (20,790)
Fitness Minutes: (19,101)
Posts: 2,716
2/23/13 6:30 A

It just gets washed with whatever is on sale, on a cold wash cycle.

current weight: 144.0

191 179.25 167.5 155.75

144

Posts: 2
2/23/13 3:09 A

The vinegar does not stay in clothes. In fact it helps break down residue that sometimes can be left behind by detergents and softeners. Great to use in wash water for towels.

Here is my routine for sweaty clothes...
Cap full of Gain.
Once around pour of Borax
Once around pour of baking soda
Downy ball with fabric softener
If they are really bad smelling I will pour 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar in too

Hubby clothes get very sweaty from work in summer, mine from work and gym and son's clothes often smells like fish (he fishes a lot) and this always takes the odor right out

SparkPoints: (68,874)
Fitness Minutes: (81,331)
Posts: 2,877
2/18/13 8:58 A

Does the vinegar scent stay in them? That would be gross.

current weight: 167.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

SparkPoints: (81,916)
Fitness Minutes: (94,175)
Posts: 682
2/18/13 7:28 A

I use unscented detergent and hang them. They dry fast.

SparkPoints: (5,439)
Fitness Minutes: (2,023)
Posts: 825
2/18/13 7:16 A

I use arm and hammer detergent, same as I wash my other clothes.

current weight: 198.6

224 205.5 187 168.5

150

Posts: 2,245
2/18/13 6:29 A

I use unscented products.
You can add a little vinegar in the wash, if you wish.

I usually hang mine to dry, though

As a personal note - I really cannot tolerate scents - and I do notice when someone is beside me who has used one of those heavily scented laundry detergents or fabric softeners. I've had to move on some occasions, the scent was so overpowering.

Posts: 266
2/17/13 11:32 P

I wash mine normally, but hang them to dry.

current weight: 160.0

177 166.5 156 145.5

135

SparkPoints: (36,064)
Fitness Minutes: (24,355)
Posts: 2,507
2/17/13 11:13 P

I use All Free and Clear - I do not like the smell of laundry detergent. It makes me nauseous. I find that Free and Clear is enough to take the smell from my gym clothes. I hang dry my Under Armour and Compression wear, the others goes in the dryer on low.

current weight: 130.0

260 227.5 195 162.5

130

SparkPoints: (68,874)
Fitness Minutes: (81,331)
Posts: 2,877
2/17/13 11:09 P

Thanks for the replies!

current weight: 167.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150

SparkPoints: (38,552)
Fitness Minutes: (34,214)
Posts: 1,497
2/17/13 10:22 P

I have read where you can soak work out clothes in vinegar but I just use my regular detergent and fabric softener.

Pounds lost: 29.0

0 7.5 15 22.5

30

SparkPoints: (16,660)
Fitness Minutes: (9,148)
Posts: 344
2/17/13 10:19 P

Nothing special for me either. I have sensitive skin, so I wash all my clothes, including workout clothes, in a no-scent, no-dye detergent.

Pounds lost: 71.2

0 18.5 37 55.5

74

SparkPoints: (158,833)
Fitness Minutes: (112,042)
Posts: 46,222
2/17/13 8:42 P

I use the Tide Sports Boost along with my own detergent.

Coach Nancy

SparkPoints: (72,565)
Fitness Minutes: (75,019)
Posts: 11,863
2/17/13 8:29 P

no special detergent either, but I own a lot of tech clothes with anti-stink technology.

122 Days until:  Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront HM

150 112 75 37

0

SparkPoints: (71,223)
Fitness Minutes: (31,326)
Posts: 5,042
2/17/13 8:15 P

No special detergent, whatever I have on hand. I also wash everything on gentle cycle.

current weight: 110.0

160 147.5 135 122.5

110

SparkPoints: (29,718)
Fitness Minutes: (34,920)
Posts: 999
2/17/13 8:05 P

I don't use anything special for my workout clothes, just whatever my husband picks up at the store for us to use.

I do wash all of my workout clothes on gentle though, to help prevent wear and tear, since I wash them after every wear.

current weight: 140.8

150 143.75 137.5 131.25

125

SparkPoints: (68,874)
Fitness Minutes: (81,331)
Posts: 2,877
2/17/13 7:43 P

I thought I posted this, but it disappeared.

Which detergent do you use to keep your workout clothes clean and smelling fresh?

current weight: 167.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

150