Washing Dri-fit apparel after each use??

mhlew
mhlew Posts: 377 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just started wearing dri fit for the gym (what was I waiting for?!?) and I love it! Are you supposed to wash it after each work out? Honestly they dry perfectly and don't even really smell if I air dri it. Do you guys wash them after each work out or can u wear it a couple times before you even wash it? It's not like a cotton shirt that you wear once and becomes heavily soaked and stinky.

My main concern is I don't want to over wash them and then they will start to fade.
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Replies

  • yc4king
    yc4king Posts: 117 Member
    I usually have shower right after I run, and I just bring it in with me and rinse it in the shower, then air dry. I only actually put it through the laundry once a week just because laundry is already being done anyway, but with the rinse i'm sure I could go 2 weeks without really washing it.

    Without rinsing, it wreaks after the 2nd time I wear it (i sweat a LOT when I run though, like 2 or 3lbs worth over an hour).
  • mhlew
    mhlew Posts: 377 Member
    THat is a great idea to just shower with it on for a couple mins then hang dry it over the curtain rod. Then I don't have to wash as much and worry about fading or logos cracking
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    I wash my running stuff after every use... it DOES get sweaty...the point is to keep the sweat off your skin
  • yc4king
    yc4king Posts: 117 Member
    I don't actually wear it when i'm in the shower, just bring it in with me, then I can soak it and ring it out a couple of times.
  • woofer00
    woofer00 Posts: 123 Member
    I usually have shower right after I run, and I just bring it in with me and rinse it in the shower, then air dry. I only actually put it through the laundry once a week just because laundry is already being done anyway, but with the rinse i'm sure I could go 2 weeks without really washing it.

    Without rinsing, it wreaks after the 2nd time I wear it (i sweat a LOT when I run though, like 2 or 3lbs worth over an hour).

    What he said. I probably go two rounds - clean at the gym, then rinse and hang dry before wearing again for a run, maybe let shampoo and bodywash splash on it as I shower and rinse that out too. It starts to stretch or stiffen up over time, so after the 2nd, maybe 3rd wear it's gotta go through a proper wash and dry cycle.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I wash mine on a handwash setting after each run. Personally I wouldn't want to wear stinky smelly tops again. I use Nike compression tops as a base layer to run in and they get washed numerous times a week and I have no problems with them being washed as much
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  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    Sometimes I can get a couple of wears out of my dri fit stuff.

    Just make sure when you are washing it not to use fabric softener of any kind. I also prefer to hang my dri-fit stuff to dry, and not run it through the dryer.

    90% of my gear is Under Armor.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Yes I Wash mine after each time I wear it but I put it on gentle cycle with no fabric softener, just tide soap.
  • mhlew
    mhlew Posts: 377 Member
    Walmart sells some for between 5-10 bucks. Target has them for maybe a little more. I'd say just plop down the cash for a weeks worth. Consider it a down payment on your commitment to a new lifestyle.

    Good suggestion. I prefer the nike dri fit even though a little more pricey they fit me the best and am real happy with them. I have 4 so far but plan my whole gym wardrobe to be dri fit eventually. Agreed that if you look and feel good you have a better workout! Never wearing cotton shirts again.
  • badcemom
    badcemom Posts: 50
    I bought enough at WalMart and Target to last 5 days. I wear them only once and wash with Sport Wash in cold water. It seems to keep them in good shape. I'm hoping to size down again soon, anyhow. :)
  • jmc0806
    jmc0806 Posts: 1,444 Member
    I own enough that I just wear them once a week to the gym and they get washed once a week in cold water. I always air dry them though, never in the dryer
  • Archerychickge
    Archerychickge Posts: 606 Member
    Okay, how about the flip side of the question...

    My oldest son has a dry fit shirt he wore under his football pads and no matter what I wash it in, it still has a slight funky stench to it...

    How do I get rid of the funk?
  • VarangianGuard
    VarangianGuard Posts: 7 Member
    I wash my running stuff after every use... it DOES get sweaty...the point is to keep the sweat off your skin

    This! Don't worry about fading or cracks. You are there to work-out. A "worn" shirt looks better anyway, like you have been there before and know what you are doing.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I wash all sports clothes, dri-fit or not, after one use. I add white vinegar to the wash and air dry it all. My sports bras specifically say to only wash them after every third use but, no, that doesn't work for me.
    Okay, how about the flip side of the question...

    My oldest son has a dry fit shirt he wore under his football pads and no matter what I wash it in, it still has a slight funky stench to it...

    How do I get rid of the funk?

    Try vinegar in the wash but you might just need to spring for a new shirt.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    It's just an article of clothing. It gets the same treatment as my underwear.
  • mhlew
    mhlew Posts: 377 Member
    I wash my running stuff after every use... it DOES get sweaty...the point is to keep the sweat off your skin

    This! Don't worry about fading or cracks. You are there to work-out. A "worn" shirt looks better anyway, like you have been there before and know what you are doing.

    Lol disagreed. I've seen plenty of people in full on gym Adidas workout suits that don't have a clue what they are doing. I'm not worried about cracking for fading cause of looks, I legitimately want the shirt to last!
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  • mhlew
    mhlew Posts: 377 Member
    It's just an article of clothing. It gets the same treatment as my underwear.

    Underwear gets soaked does not dry out and smells, dri fit gets completely dry within an hour and does not hold a stink. Not the same thing
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  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    I usually have shower right after I run, and I just bring it in with me and rinse it in the shower, then air dry. I only actually put it through the laundry once a week just because laundry is already being done anyway, but with the rinse i'm sure I could go 2 weeks without really washing it.

    Without rinsing, it wreaks after the 2nd time I wear it (i sweat a LOT when I run though, like 2 or 3lbs worth over an hour).

    thats actually a really cool idea.

    i'm pretty sure that at least some brands claim to have some sort of antibacterial coating or fiber or something... idk if that would cut down on stink or not.

    ive been hearing that jean companies recommend putting thier denim in the freezer rather then washing them because it kills germs/bacteria without damaging the material.
  • Archerychickge
    Archerychickge Posts: 606 Member
    I wash all sports clothes, dri-fit or not, after one use. I add white vinegar to the wash and air dry it all. My sports bras specifically say to only wash them after every third use but, no, that doesn't work for me.
    Okay, how about the flip side of the question...

    My oldest son has a dry fit shirt he wore under his football pads and no matter what I wash it in, it still has a slight funky stench to it...

    How do I get rid of the funk?

    Try vinegar in the wash but you might just need to spring for a new shirt.

    Why didn't I think of that??? Good idea! THanks!
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member
    I would have no problem with re-wearing something as long as it was dry. It's only going to get sweaty again. But I run alone, outside. I'd probably treat myself to a clean vest if I were going to the gym where there might be other people. I'm considerate like that.

    Re. stopping stuff smelling, put a scoop of Napisan (or equivalent) in the wash with your detergent.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    In addition, some of our custom Dri Fit shirts are made from antimicrobial fabric in order to prevent a build up of bacteria that can harm the wearer and produce an unflattering odor

    http://www.pinnaclepromotions.com/category/performance/1339/1/
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    It's just an article of clothing. It gets the same treatment as my underwear.

    Underwear gets soaked does not dry out and smells, dri fit gets completely dry within an hour and does not hold a stink. Not the same thing

    It's an article of clothing. It gets washed after each use just like my underwear. To me, it's the exact same thing. I don't want my workout clothes air drying from soaked in sweat to dry. Grosses me out.

    ETA: My shirts are just as soaked as my underwear after workout. Probably even more so.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Yes I Wash mine after each time I wear it but I put it on gentle cycle with no fabric softener, just tide soap.
    I have enough of a wardrobe of sports bras and wicking workout gear that I usually wash after each use. Definitely do not use fabric softener or it'll kill the moisture wicking ability. Instead, use white vinegar for the rinse cycle. It leaves no smell but acts as a pretty good fabric softener.

    For the poster who asked about stinky clothes: I empathize. My son plays soccer and, boy, does his stuff reek! He's been using the Downey Scentables during the wash which are safe for moisture wicking fabrics. That in combination with the white vinegar in the rinse cycle seems to do the trick. I've also heard the pre-soaking in white vinegar will help.
  • MrGonzo05
    MrGonzo05 Posts: 1,120 Member
    They don't smell TO YOU. Yes, please wash your gym clothes.
  • disasterman
    disasterman Posts: 746 Member
    I like to use Pro Wash and personally, I prefer to wash after each use although I might wear it twice if I don't sweat too much (rare). If you're only concerned about smell, then wash them when they start to smell.

    I find the actual Nike Dri-Fit stuff smells MORE than a plain cotton T that's just been washed. And most of the technical fabrics feel a little coarse to me. But I absolutely love the UnderArmour Charged Cotton. Feels soft, wicks moisture, doesn't smell, and lasts a long time.
  • jonathandavid_t
    jonathandavid_t Posts: 107 Member
    Not sure about dri-fit, but give merino wool a try and you'll probably love it -- just no smell, at all. Underwear, socks and t-shirts. Dries fast. Can go days without washing it (even the underwear). Awesome for gym/travel/running/warmth in winter/coolness in summer. I love my Icebreaker stuff but there are a handful of other manufacturers too.
  • DeliriumCanBeFun
    DeliriumCanBeFun Posts: 313 Member
    They don't smell TO YOU. Yes, please wash your gym clothes.
    This!!! I absolutely cannot believe that so many people have said they don't wash their workout clothes every time they wear them. I would rewear a pair of jeans, and I might even rewear a nice regular bra that I didn't sweat in. But if you're working out and your clothes are not sweaty, you might be doing something wrong. My husband and I are both very active, and our kids practically live in dri fit and under armour and that type of stuff. We have to do at least 2 big loads a week. I hang dry all my really expensive bike wear, but everything else gets dried on low without fabric softener and it all lasts just fine. Please wash your clothes!!

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