Since going to the gym first became mainstream in the 80s, much has changed in fitness culture, from the hair to the clothing styles and technological breakthroughs. There’s nostalgia and some accidental hilarity in how we dressed to get physical, with the John Travolta/Jamie Lee Curtis box office bomb Perfect giving us a particularly kitschy example. Whatever the exercise — lifting, aerobics, bicycling, slimnastics, jazzercise —you should expect to take home plenty of sweaty clothing. Not properly washing them for the next go-around is not only uncouth, it can lead to a bacteria imbalance or infection, too. Your damp body is the ideal place for germs to multiply. It’s always important to clean your gym clothes, but first, for the uninitiated, what should you wear?
What To Wear To The Gym
It’s highly recommended to invest in activewear with fabric that’s designed to pull, or wick, the sweat away from your skin. Breathable, comfortable fabrics that help the sweat evaporate faster can also improve your workout. You’ll want to avoid anything that doesn’t naturally breathe.
It’s also important to have clothes that properly fit your body. Loose pants could trip you up while running, or get caught in pedals easily.
Keeping Your Activewear Clean
Generally, you’ll want to wash your gym clothes after every workout. Making this a part of the routine is useful, but this involves more than just throwing them in the wash.
Upon leaving the gym, used clothes are often stuffed in a backpack or a gym bag, which can lead to mould and mildew, not to mention the odour. The first step in preventing this is airing them out when you return home. Letting them hang out in the sun also allows UV rays to kill germs.
Next, you’ll want to separate them from the rest of your usual wash. Heavy fabrics like denim or anything with a zipper could easily damage the more delicate pieces of your activewear. Turn each article of clothing inside out, allowing the water to directly attack any bacteria.
Getting Rid of the Stench
Even after thorough cleaning, however, the stench of body odour can endure. If you notice the clothes still don’t smell fresh, pre-soak them in vinegar for 20-30 minutes before putting them through the machine. Vinegar can help unlock deep dirt and oil in your clothes before the machine finishes the job. Some people make the mistake of adding more detergent, thinking an excessive amount might take care of the smell. However, this only lets more soap into the fibres, which can attract more bacteria.
Another error people tend to make is to assume fabric softener or dryer sheets may help with the smell. In fact, both prevent the detergent from maximizing its potential.
Instead, add approximately one-quarter cup of baking soda to the wash. Baking soda naturally helps kill the fatty acids that contribute to body odour.
Finally, it’s always important to set the wash to a cold, gentle cycle and then let them air-dry. High heat will only damage your workout clothes. These are delicate fabrics and should be treated carefully to avoid destruction.
A Word About Shoes
Caring for your shoes is just as important as the rest of your clothing, as bacteria easily builds up on your socks or the ground on which you set foot. Probably the most overlooked aspect of keeping your workout clothes clear are your shoes, but keeping clear of foot fungal infections is critical. It’s recommended to use shoes with removable liners that and be thrown in the wash along with your socks.
Kenny Hedges | Contributing Writer
