Life Hack: Can I re-wear my workout clothes and how do I keep them smelling fresh?

Does it pass the 'sniff test'?

How to know if you need to wash your workout clothes.

Are you taking up a fitness class for the New Year or returning to the gym in 2024? You’ll never regret keeping fit and healthy, but you might have some second thoughts about going if you don’t treat your gym bag properly.

How often should I wash my workout gear?

If you Google ‘How often should I wash my gym clothes’ you’ll find conflicting advice. It seems intuitive to wash them after every wear, right? However, some research suggests otherwise. In the UK, sustainable activewear brand BAM found most people they surveyed wash their workout gear after every wear,, but this could age them faster. If you wash clothes too often, you will see things like fabrics pilling and colours fading sooner than expected, and clothes can lose their elasticity and become misshapen.

Another factor to consider is the fabric with which the clothes were made and how it responds to the classic ‘sniff test’. Some natural fabrics can allow you to re-wear them after a workout without offending noses while synthetic fibres will likely need a refresh.

What’s the best way to wash them?

If your gym gear needs a wash, you can treat even the stinkiest scents with vinegar. Mix two litres of water with 250mls of white vinegar and soak the fabric for an hour before you wash it. This will help to neutralise odours. Similarly, if you’re stuck for time you can add 250ml of white vinegar directly into the drum of your washing machine and wash as normal.

#Life Hacks

Life is hard enough without being aware of these simple life hacks. Read on.

Do not use fabric softener as this can reduce the fabric's breathability, making the problem worse after your next sweaty session.

Skip the tumble dryer too as this can damage the fabric. Instead, hang them to dry on a clothesline or a clothes horse. Air drying your workout clothes, particularly leggings and sports bras, will help them keep their shape longer.

Any quick fixes?

Your clothes aren’t the only culprits causing a stink in your bag. The runners you wear to the gym are likely building up bacteria that cause an odour. A sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda inside the shoes should soak up the stink overnight. If you need a more intensive treatment, put the shoes into a plastic bag and place them in the freezer overnight to kill the odour-producing bacteria.

What about my yoga mat?

If you use an exercise mat, don’t forget to keep that clean too. You should wipe it down after two or three uses. Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply to the mat. Let it sit for 15 minutes and wipe it off with a soft cloth. Leave it flat to air dry before repeating on the other side.