Detergent for workout clothes?

zaidal

Hello MFP peeps!

I work out about 4 times a week doing strength training, spinning and running. Lately, I'm noticing that even after having washed my workout clothes with great smelling detergent, my workout gear doesn't smell as clean as I'd like.

I bought Gain + Febreze because I read somewhere it was designed specifically for this purpose. I beg to differ.

Can anyone suggest a detergent that works? If not, I'm going to have to add a line item for workout clothes and my budget is already on a major diet!

Help!! And thanks!!

L.A. in Miami

Athena413

Our running store carries a detergent specifically for the water-wicking type of fabric that a lot of workout clothes are made of. It's supposed to help with odors and to make the fabric last longer. I don't know what it's called, though.

Chiqui74

The smell is bacteria. I had that problem a lot last year. I'd put on a clean shirt and as soon as I started sweating, the shirt would stink like nobody's business. It's not you, it's the clothes. Someone suggested putting vinegar in the wash and I have been doing it since. It hasn't completely eliminated the issue but it has mitigated it considerably. I use Gain, I think.

I'd love to hear some ways to actually eliminate the problem altogether.

nicothepotato

I use baking soda or buy detergent with oxyclean in it. My boyfriend boxes and he reeks after training. He didn't realize that he was stinky until I moved in and started doing the laundry.

zaidal

Thank you everyone! I will try these suggestions and see what happens. I'm not a stinky sweater, at least not usually, which is why this has really been bothersome!

rybo

You could also try some of the "specialized" detergents made for hunters to wash thier clothes in. Some can be pricey, but there are others that are cheap & do a great job of killing odors. I believe "Sport Wash" is the one I use. Pretty cheap at wall mart in the hunting/camping section and you get a lot of wash loads out of one bottle.

kristydi

I was having the same problem with some of our workout clothes. I added oxyclean to my wash routine and it really helped.

dad106

I always wash my clothes in tide total care, and I think that smells the best.

If the fabric is moisture'wicking, don't use fabric softener. that will only ruin the clothes.