Keep Your Activewear Looking and Smelling Great

Quality yoga and activewear can be pricey but I tend to believe you get what you pay for. With a little care and attention you can maximize the life of your favorite pieces.  Think about it, would you just throw an expensive blouse in the wash any old way and then bake it in the dryer? I didn't think so.  Improper (careless) washing can destroy or significantly decrease the life of activewear.  Here are a few tips to help you keep your yoga and workout gear looking and smelling great:

1. Wash activewear inside out. Bacteria, sweat and dead skin (eww, gross) are going to be having a party on the inside of your clothing so washing it inside out only makes sense.  Also, it will help protect the color and any details like logos or designs.  Better yet, dedicate a specific load to nothing but activewear to avoid pilling.  Mixing cotton T-shirts or jeans in with spandex or lycra fabrics is a sure way to cause pilling.
2. Wash in cold water - never hot. There is a reason most activewear care labels say wash in cold water -- heat will cause the high tech fibers to break down and the fabric to shrink.  Use cold water, you and your clothes will be much happier!
3. Don't use too much detergent.  If you are facing a load of workout clothes with a particularly foul funk going on more detergent won't help.  Excess detergent may actually contribute to the stink since it may not rinse out completely and create a thriving environment for fungal growth (eww, gross again).  If you feel the need to boost the cleaning power in the wash cycle try soaking the most smelly offenders in cold water with 1/2 cup of white vinegar for :15 to :30 minutes before washing.  If you really love your activewear you may want to consider a specialty sports detergent to care for them.  The Laundress Sport is a good choice.
4. Drip dry. Many fabrics are quick drying so they will air dry in a flash.  Simply put -- high heat and performance fabrics don't play well together.  If you absolutely must put your activewear in the dryer (but please don't) use a low temperature and check it frequently.
5. Don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets.  Most quality activewear bought these days is moisture wicking, add fabric softener and that quality is defeated.  Why?  Fabric softener coats fabric fibers clogging up any wicking properties you paid extra for.  Plus, after a while fabric softener can build up which may dull the appearance of some fabrics and worse actually begin to attract bacteria and smell.

I hope these tips are helpful.  If you want more tips delivered to you inbox each month please sign up for my monthly newsletter.  The next issue goes out May 2nd and will be all about Spring Cleaning for Health.