Washing gym kit 12 September 2016 at 9:22PM in Sports & fitness MoneySaving 27 replies 11.8K views

kerri_gt

I regularly work out and (obviously) wash my gym kit after each workout - however some fabrics can only be washed at 30 degrees and although they smell clean / fresh when I next put them on - once I / they get warm during a workout I'm paranoid they are getting smelly.

Can anyone recommend a gentle but effective way of 'refreshing' my kit or is it just time to bin and buy new? I used to soak / wash my kit in napisan but tbh that doesn't seem to have made a difference so I haven't bought any more since the box ran out.

boliston

It's impossible to get really sweaty and not smell at all - the chances are the other people at the gym will hum just as much lol

sweetilemon

I stink in the gym lol. Start out fresh but not so much by the end! I'm alone and dont generally chat to other's there apart from the odd 'hi'. That's why I go there and not run outside! I just shower after and change. I don't generally look at wash temps unless it's something really delicate. I use napisan for whites and wash at 40.

Pollycat

I think as long as you wash them after every use and they smell clean and fresh when you put them on, it's just one of those things.

I'm sure you don't smell any worse than anyone else.

wongataa

kerri_gt wrote: »

I regularly work out and (obviously) wash my gym kit after each workout - however some fabrics can only be washed at 30 degrees and although they smell clean / fresh when I next put them on - once I / they get warm during a workout I'm paranoid they are getting smelly.

Can anyone recommend a gentle but effective way of 'refreshing' my kit or is it just time to bin and buy new? I used to soak / wash my kit in napisan but tbh that doesn't seem to have made a difference so I haven't bought any more since the box ran out.

If the clothes smell clean and fresh when you put them on the everything is fine. Anyone who gets hot and sweaty at the gym will end up smelling worse at the end. It is a fact of life. Just keep washing your kit afterwards so it is clean and fresh for the start of your next gym session.

TiredTrophy

Same problem here and with cycling and hiking gear. ..napisan, wash, followed by drying outside....can try biotex soak or bicarb of soda. Never leave kit all day in the car in a bag:) There was a previous thread about this but cannot remember what the conclusions were....

natlie

Ive been told white vinegar works but I use Bio D lavender laundry liquid its fab. Vodka or 100% alcohol is supposed to work too put it in a spray bottle and spray especially sweaty areas - although may be a bit expensive

rdone

I read about white vinegar somewhere and I'm going to try it on some of my husbands tops which don't smell great even though they've been through the wash!

fairy_lights

Dettol make an antibacterial laundry liquid you can add to your wash, which does an excellent job of getting the smell out of stinky gym clothes. It's a bit pricey but Tesco do their own version now which seems to work just as well.

iammumtoone

fairy_lights wrote: »

Dettol make an antibacterial laundry liquid you can add to your wash, which does an excellent job of getting the smell out of stinky gym clothes. It's a bit pricey but Tesco do their own version now which seems to work just as well.

I was going to ask if anyone has used this? What temperature do you use it at?

I don't normally take any notice of care labels and wash everything at 60. However my new gym clothes are 'dry fit' material I am worried I might shrink them. Some of then say to wash at 20 :eek:

fairy_lights

iammumtoone wrote: »

I was going to ask if anyone has used this? What temperature do you use it at?

I don't normally take any notice of care labels and wash everything at 60. However my new gym clothes are 'dry fit' material I am worried I might shrink them. Some of then say to wash at 20 :eek:

I've got in to the habit of chucking in in with every load of laundry including my hot washes, but for stuff that can only be washed on a low temperature it does work in a 30/40 wash. I find it works best to add a capful directly in to the drum rather than in the drawer. You can also soak stuff in a bucket of water with a capful added before washing, for cases of extreme ponginess.