You need activewear that keeps up with you. There’s nothing worse than washing your favorite workout set, taking it out of the dryer, and realizing it shrunk two sizes. We’re all too familiar with unwanted fraying and splitting seams, too. Unfortunately, cleaning activewear isn’t as simple as throwing it in the washing machine and calling it a day. There’s a specific way to wash your activewear to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Not to worry, we’re here to help you learn how to do just that.
We’ve put together the best tips for how to wash your workout clothes so your activewear pieces can look (and feel) as good as new, workout after workout.
Can You Machine Wash Activewear?
How to wash your activewear depends on the type of workout gear and the fabric it’s made out of. Some activewear pieces must be hand washed, while others can go in the washing machine on the delicate cycle. Look out for dainty details such as lace and mesh trim which would likely fare better if washed by hand. Many fabrics wash well in the machine like polyester and spandex blends. Have an item made of cotton? If you don’t want it to shrink (even a little bit) keep it out of the washing machine. If you do decide to machine wash your activewear, make sure to use the correct activewear washer setting—usually on cold.
How Often Should You Wash Activewear?
Washing your activewear after each use is ideal, but this can vary from person to person. Are you a lover of intense HIIT classes where you sweat through your workout clothes? If so, you should probably throw them in the wash as soon as you get home. But if you go on a short walk with minimal perspiration, you should be okay to give your activewear another go.
Ultimately, how often you wash your activewear depends on a few different factors. Consider the type of exercise you performed, how much you sweat, and how comfortable you are re-wearing your workout clothes. If you feel like your workout clothes are gross and sweaty after a workout, you’re better off being safe rather than sorry. Give them a wash so you can have peace of mind.
How to Wash Activewear: 4 Simple Steps
Knowing how to wash workout clothes will help to extend their lifetime and keep them in tip-top shape, despite frequent wear and tear. Here is the best way to wash activewear in four easy steps:
Turn Clothes Inside Out
You might not realize it, but turning workout clothes inside out is an essential step in cleaning activewear. This is because the bacteria on your workout clothes are mostly on the inside of the fabric—that’s where you’re sweating, after all. With that said, you need to turn them inside out to properly clean them and give them the TLC they deserve.
Soak in Vinegar & Water
There’s no denying that your workout clothes can develop a strong odor fairly easily, especially after a hard workout. So the best way to wash your activewear and keep them smelling fresh is to soak them in vinegar and water. Sweat and bacteria can embed themselves into the fabric of your workout clothes and cause that lingering smell. Soaking your athletic wear in vinegar and water is essential to eliminate it altogether.
To do so, simply combine one part white vinegar with four parts cold water in a bowl or plugged sink. Next, submerge your workout clothes into the mixture, and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. Do this right before washing your clothes to get rid of the stubborn stench for good.
Wash on Cold with Minimal Detergent
If you put your activewear in the washing machine, it’s crucial to use the correct setting. In this case, the simpler, the better. That means washing your clothes on cold and with minimal detergent. Washing your workout clothes in warm water can ruin the fabric, which is something we always want to avoid. In addition, using too much detergent can cause mildew to form and leave residue on the fabric. No, thank you.
Dry on Cooler Temp or Air-dry
Now, when it comes to drying your activewear, there are major dos and don’ts. You can’t just toss your sports bras into the dryer and call it a day—you need to dry them the proper way. Letting your activewear air-dry is ideal, but let’s be real, our busy lives catch up to us. If you’re in a pinch, throw your workout clothes into the dryer on the coldest temperature possible. As a friendly reminder, drying your activewear on a high temperature will make them more susceptible to shrinkage.
Extra Tips for How to Wash Activewear
Typically, quality activewear is an investment, so you want to try to make it last as long as possible. For this reason, it’s so important to know how to wash your workout clothes. Check out these helpful tips for how to keep your activewear looking great and continuously adding miles to your styles.
Always Follow the Wash Instructions
All activewear is different, so it’s crucial to always follow the wash instructions for your individual workout pieces. By doing so, it’ll help keep them in the best condition possible.For example, a high-impact sports bra with underwire is going to be more delicate than a pair of bike shorts.
Look Up How to Wash Specific Fabrics
Activewear can be made out of various fabrics depending on where you buy them, and each material usually has different washing instructions. For example, Soma® activewear bottoms are made with nylon and spandex and are machine wash safe. However, some of our other activewear pieces are made with more delicate materials that must be hand washed.
Wash with Like Colors
Just like you would with any other clothing item, it’s also important to wash your activewear with like colors. Doing so can preserve the original vibrancy of your workout clothing so you can continue to rock those bold and saturated hues. Plus, it will prevent the dye from bleeding out and affecting the other clothes in the washer. That’s a win-win in our book.
Protect Activewear with a Laundry Bag
Washing your activewear in a laundry bag is a nifty way to protect the fabric and quality of your workout clothes. Laundry bags help prevent the straps of your workout bras and activewear tops from getting tangled with each other and stretching out.
Invest in High-Quality Activewear
At the end of the day, the best way to extend the lifetime of your workout clothing is to buy high-quality activewear. When comparing quality, look for performance fabrics that are moisture-wicking, insulating, and breathable. For example, you’ll find this in nylon, polyester blends, and wool. Not only does high-quality activewear feel better when you’re wearing it, but it’s also likely to last longer and withstand continuous washing.
You can find a variety of high-quality women’s activewear pieces from Soma®. Our 24/7 crossover waist leggings, sport bras, activewear tops including both tees and tanks, just to name a few. All Soma® clothing is made with comfortable and breathable materials—like modal fabric—that are made to last wear after wear and wash after wash.
Find Your New Favorite, Easy-Wash Activewear
If you’re in need of new activewear that’s not only flattering but made to help you have the best workouts, our collection is for you. Soma® has a wide collection of activewear that is easy to wash, built to last, and made to fit your body comfortably. With Soma®, you can build the activewear wardrobe of your dreams, full of workout clothing that not only makes you feel your best but is also high-quality and durable.
Shop our selection today to find your new favorite activewear and check out our guide for choosing the right sports bra.
