How to Wash Your Sweaty Workout Clothes

The least fun thing to think about right after a run is how to handle the clothes that you just drenched with sweat. Tossing them in your hamper and worrying about it later might seem like the easiest option, but that’s also the worst move, as bacteria love to linger in damp, dark environments like laundry baskets. Plus, your workout clothes The 8 Best Wireless Headphones for Running.

Unlike your everyday t-shirts and jeans, activewear is made with high-performing fabric designed to wick moisture, breathe, and stretch, making them more likely to break down faster if you're not washing them properly. So, how can you take better care of your clothes so you can enjoy their performance-boosting benefits for longer?

It begins with the basics, but there are plenty of finer points to the clothes-washing process, and who better to divulge some deep laundry hacks than the frequently stinky Runner’s World staff. Here, steal their time-tested strategies—and as a bonus, find a step by step guide to washing your gear, along with expert tips from Matt Taylor, CEO at Tracksmith.

Air out your sweaty clothes ASAP.

Sweaty workout clothes are a breeding ground for bacteria and odors, so don't let them hangout in your gym bag for too long. if you're not able to wash them immediately after you get home from your workout, be sure to hang them up or lay them out to air dry.

Turn your clothes inside out.

Give your washing machine better access to the dirtiest parts of your activewear by flipping your pants, shirts and undergarments inside out. This helps detergent target problem areas, and also protects prints and logos.

Use a gentle detergent.

Harsh detergents can break down the high-performing fabric fibers in your workout clothes, which can lead to a reduction in the moisture-wicking and stretch capabilities. Opt for a sports-specific cleaner, or one that's mild and free of dyes and fragrances. Matt Taylor, CEO at Tracksmith, recommends skipping the fabric softener. "It’s made to engrain itself into the fibers, which may be great for plumping towels, but not for your athletic wear, as that same function can lock in your sweat and dirt," he says.

Wash with cold water on a gentle cycle.

You might think using hot water is the best way to kill bacteria, but the high temperature can actually damage the elasticity of your clothes, and fade colors quicker. Stick to just using cold water and a gentle cleaning cycle to avoid altering the performance of your workout gear.

Pro tip: Matt suggests washing your activewear with similar materials. "Coarse fabrics can cause abrasion on finer fabrics, especially during the spin cycle—and items like zippers and velcro can also damage fabric (especially merino wool), so make sure you cover them. Don’t wash your lightweight, high-end athletic tops with rough denim or outerwear."

Avoid the dryer.

"Machine dry heat can warp fibers (especially the elastic parts such as waistbands and the spandex or elastane in the fabric itself), changing their shape and flexibility," says Matt. "Heat may also eat away at elastic—weakening the material and leading to small holes—or damage fabric treatments for water-repellency or odor resistance. If you must, tumble-dry on low or the air fluff setting."

Store your clothes properly between workouts.

Once your clothes have fully dried, try to store them in a cool, dry place. Avoid cramming them into drawers while they are still damp, because this can lead to mildew and unpleasant smells. Moisture-wicking laundry bags could be handy if you're in a pinch since they can help air out your gear before your next sweat sesh.

Clean your accessories, too.

—Pat Heine, How to Wash Your Sweaty Workout Clothes

Don't forget to wash hydration packs and belts. Nothing is worse than going to stash a phone in a pocket and finding out the zipper is stuck because of salt build-up. Since they're worn over clothes, I usually just take them in the shower after a sweaty run to rinse all the salt off and hang over the shower curtain to dry.

—Brian Dalek, Director, Content Creation

Wash your travel gym bag regularly if you are using it for back-and-forth from the gym or other workouts. Letting that sit un-washed for over a week is just asking for funky smells. Just pop it into a wash with your running gear.

Take extra care of your favorite gear.

—Mallory Creveling, Deputy Editor, Health & Fitness

In general, I tend to follow the care instructions on the label of my workout clothes. I very rarely put my gear in the dryer, especially leggings, and instead let the clothes dry on a rack. I think it helps to eliminate pilling and extends the life of the apparel, which is important—especially if I spent a decent amount of money and need the gear to keep me comfortable on the run!

Try a mesh bag for sports bras.

—Amy Wolff, former Photo Director

I build high-maintenance laundry into my routine just like my training. However, I’ve completely lost patience battling with sports bras, specifically their removable pads. If the pads manage to stay in the bra, they end up folded in half—or they escape and end up at the bottom of the machine. A few weeks ago, on a whim, I threw a sports bra in a mesh bag. The pads stayed in place!

Try this anti-stink weapon of choice.

—Matt Allyn, former Features Director

I sweat a lot and frequently disgust my family when I stumble in after a grueling track session. Stink comes easily to me. But for several years I’ve washed my workout clothes separately with Hex detergent. It strips out a layer of funk that regular detergent leaves behind, so that I’m only gross after I’ve earned it.

Wear your gear more than once before washing.

—Amanda Furrer, Test Editor

If you see me in the same outfit three times in a row, yep—I’m being eco-conscious. It’s also an effective deterrent to other people when I want to run alone without disruption (and jam out as I ruminate on my haunted thoughts and have my daily dose of existential dread).

Hit the showers, stat.

—Jeff Dengate, Runner-in-Chief

I hate stinky gear! But I also hate doing laundry. In the summer, I’ll come in from a run and immediately head straight to the shower with my clothes still on. I rinse down, strip off the clothes, and wring them out. Then I let them air-dry before wearing them a second time.

Take the sniff test.

—Morgan Petruny, Test Editor

Go ahead: Give that shirt a whiff after wearing it, and wash only if it smells funky. Now, bacteria can still hang out in your gear, even if you don’t smell anything. But I often re-wear something for more than one run, especially if it’s made with wool (which has natural odor-fighting properties) or fabric that’s been treated with antimicrobial additives (silver ions are fairly popular. This has really helped me extend the life of more expensive items, like running tights.

Bust out the white vinegar.

—Jessica Coulon, former Health & Injuries

I use distilled white vinegar to get rid of odors from my athletic gear. Simply add some directly to your wash before starting the cycle. Depending on the size of the load, a half cup to a cup will do. You can also soak clothes in a diluted mixture prior to washing. The smell of the vinegar may faintly linger afterward, but it’s better than the alternative! Plus, vinegar is cheap, and it works better than any athletic-wear detergent I’ve tried.