Have you been wearing the same old workout gear for the past few months, only to receive the same predictable comments from your friends and coworkers? Does your sweaty shirt smell so bad, that it makes you avoid the gym altogether? Why do we associate stinky clothes with a sweaty workout? Here are a few tips to keep your clothes smelling fresh!
You know those day when you don’t feel like working out? Maybe you ate too much last night, or you’re not getting enough sleep and you just don’t feel like going to the gym? Or maybe you’re just not ready to work out because you’re still recovering from a recent injury? Whatever the reason, sometimes you just don’t want to do yoga.
Have you ever put on a freshly laundered sports shirt only to find out after five minutes of working out that it stinks like death? You’re not alone. Studies have shown that high-quality synthetic sportswear – the kind that works so well in the gym and not in the washing machine – is a breeding ground for special bacteria called micrococci, which cause that famous sour smell after an aerobics session. If you find that micrococcus bacteria have fallen so in love with your sweat that it can’t be washed in a regular washing machine, try these 6 tips to get rid of sweat odors and keep your sportswear fresh. 
Table of Contents
Wash it as soon as possible
I know, I know, it’s not the magic advice you were looking for. But prevention is better than cure. The longer your sportswear stays dirty, the stronger the smell becomes. Plus, you don’t want to have to deal with mold on your clothes, or the smell. If you can’t wash them right away (or if you just don’t feel like it), rinse your workout clothes in clean water and let them air dry before washing them in the washing machine. Or even simpler: Take your gym clothes into the shower. 
✔️ Clean It Right
When it comes to washing, synthetic sportswear takes a little more effort than the average cotton t-shirt. Here are 3 basic rules for cleaning plastics:
- Hot cycle and dryer. Because synthetic fibers are plastic, high temperatures can damage them, cause them to shrink, or worse, leave holes and tears in your new leggings. Plus, the heat also keeps out nasty odors, which is exactly the opposite of what we want to achieve.
- Too much detergent. Excess detergent settles on clothes and attracts odor-causing bacteria, as well as dirt and sweat.
- Water softener. It not only leaves marks on synthetic clothing, but also traps sweat and odors. In addition, plasticizers can damage elastic synthetic fibers and reduce their long-term performance.
Vinegar soap
Vinegar is a cheap solution that Reddit users swear by. The acid helps break down body oils and bacteria that cause odors, making your sportswear smell like…. vinegar. So don’t forget to wash them in the washing machine afterwards. If you are short on time, you can also put a cup of vinegar directly into the washing machine with the detergent.
Pre-washing with bicarbonate of soda
Baking soda is excellent for absorbing unpleasant odors. You can soak dirty clothes in a cup of baking soda, or make a paste of baking soda in water and apply it to smelly areas (like armpits or crotch). Leave for an hour, rinse and put in the washing machine. 
Exposed to extreme temperatures
This tip is a little off-topic, but it’s great for fancy workout clothes that washing is no longer good for. You can try:
- Put dry clothes in a plastic bag and freeze for 24 hours.
- Dry active clothing in direct sunlight – the ultraviolet rays kill bacteria.
One Reddit user also suggested putting clean, dry clothes in the microwave for a minute to kill the micrococcus bacteria that love your sweat so much. I have not tried this unusual method myself, so do so at your own risk. 
Investing in Odourless Silvertech from Organic Basics
If your workout clothes are beyond repair and you’re tired of wasting precious time soaking, pre-washing and re-washing to end up making your yoga room stink, I have good news. Organic Basics’ SilverTech Activewear is treated with a silver salt called Polygiene. It prevents the growth of mold and bacteria, the same ones that cause your clothes to smell bad after a yoga session. Treated with eco-friendly silver salt, these sportswear pieces are odorless, durable, soft and do not require daily washing. 
Here are some totally incredible facts about polygyny:
- It is based on silver salt, which occurs naturally in water and soil.
- The odor-protecting effect lasts a lifetime – it doesn’t wash off like the popular nano-silver and is not harmful to aquatic organisms.
- No smell -> less frequent washing -> lower water and energy bills. Plus, clothes that are washed less often last longer, so you can buy less.
- Completely safe for sensitive skin
Polygiene also has several environmental certifications, including the Bluesign and Oeko-Tex eco passport. I’m not a big fan of sweaters, but I train very hard and live in a warm climate. Try pushing a stroller up a hill in 30 degrees, and like it or not, you’ll sweat. 
Polygiene is officially my new love. I can wear Organic Basics SilverTech Activewear during various workouts and around the house without the slightest odor. Watch the video below to learn more about my experience with SilverTech Activewear from Organic Basics. I probably would have let it last longer than a week, but I find it weird not doing laundry for that long – that’s definitely something I need to work on. It’s also worth noting that I’ve been using the blue yoga kit from Organic Basics for about 7 months and the black one for about 4 months. Both are as good as new and I think less frequent washing has contributed to that. 
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get the smell out of activewear?
Everyone hates stinky, smelly activewear. If you’re looking for tricks to get some of that stink out, try these tips: 1. Wash your activewear right away. 2. Use a spray to refresh. 3. Don’t wear it during workouts. 4. Use the dryer. 5. Hang it up. Does your yoga outfit smell bad? Does it smell like you’ve been working out? Whether it’s yoga pants, leggings, or a full-length workout leotard, the most important thing to consider when it comes to your activewear is how it smells. It’s not just an aesthetic issue—it can actually be dangerous to your health. If you’re not wearing the right type of clothes, it can increase your chances of contracting a cold or other illness. So, how do you get the smell out of your workout clothes?
Why do my gym clothes still smell after washing?
The act of sweating is the best indicator of health, but it can be a hassle for people looking to shed pounds. Sweat can get really smelly, especially if you workout in a gym that doesn’t have a sufficient amount of ventilation. This can be really inconvenient, but there are precautions you can take to keep your clothes fresh after a workout. All of us have experienced the stench of sweaty gym clothes after a long workout. But all is not lost, as there are a number of solutions that can be used to keep our activewear smelling fresh and clean. Here are some of the best tips to keep it fresh.
How do you get sweat smells out of clothes?
A while back, I was working out at the gym. I was doing a yoga routine and started to feel very hot and uncomfortable. I noticed that my sweat smelled bad, but didn’t think much of it. I assumed that it was because I had been eating a lot of garlic that day or maybe I had eaten something that was not very fresh. I kept working out and only noticed the smell getting worse and worse. I soon realized that it was much more than just a sweaty gym smell and I was very embarrassed about it. Sweat is good for you and your health. It has its own unique smell, so having clothes that smell like sweat can be a real turnoff. But there are a lot of ways to get rid of body odor, some more effective than others. One of the most effective methods is drying your clothes in the clothes dryer when possible. If the clothes can’t be put in the dryer because of wetness, a clothesline is an easy option. Other ways to stop the smell of sweat are to wash your workout clothes as soon as you get home, and to use dryer sheets.
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