Why It's Time To Pour Vinegar On Your Gym Clothes

We all know that good gym wear is an investment. By the time you have updated your wardrobe to suit all your exercise needs, from crop tops and socks to the right tights and runners, it can be costly. You can excuse the horror of then seeing your favourite threads with pull's and colour loss, or even worse seeing your ‘go to’ Pilates tights sag in all the wrong areas. But before you blame your beloved labels and swear never to spend $119 on tights again – it’s time to get back to basics. It’s time to talk gym wear TLC and laundry tips, which will make your favourite workout gear last longer.  

Because we can't all afford a separate wardrobe for our clothes like Khloe Kardashian but we can show our gym wear some extra love....

Treat them differently 

Gym wear is not the same as your regular clothing. In fact, the more expensive the pieces the more delicate they are likely to be. This is because your gym clothes are made out of high-tech fabrics, which require some added TLC. Don’t treat them like your favourite jeans or tees and throw them into a top loader with the rest of your colours…  

Practice good hygiene

Ideally, your gym clothes should be washed as soon as you have finished exercising, especially if you have been to the gym. We all know that gym equipment can be dirtier than a toilet seat. But we also know that we don’t live an ideal world so while you wait for your next laundry run, hang your gym clothes up separately. Throwing gym clothes into the wash basket can promote the growth of all sorts of germs and mould and can make the bad odour sink deep into the fabric. Hanging your pieces up between washes will also help them retain their shape. 

Soak the smell out 

If you have left your gym clothes unwashed too long then you would be all too familiar with that gym smell that lingers long after you have washed your favourite pieces. Avoid the smell by soaking your worn gym wear in cold water with a tablespoon of white vinegar and baking soda for 30 minutes before washing. This will be particularly useful after your first Bikram Yoga class because washing alone won’t rid your pieces of that hot, steamy smell.  

Wash inside out 

We all know that washing our clothes inside out will extend their life, however when it comes to gym wear this is a matter of both longevity and hygiene. Washing your favourite tights and tops inside out will not only help avoid colour fade, it will also ensure the inside of your sweaty gym clothes receive the most thorough wash. The inside of your gym clothes experiences the most heat, sweat and skin after all.  

Hand wash your delicates 

This doesn’t just apply to your favourite undies ladies. Hand wash all your sports bras, crop tops and socks. Heck if you have the time and willpower, even hand wash all your favourite tights. It will be more time consuming but will extend the life of your favourite pieces.  

Don't forget to remove any cupping from your sports crops and tops before washing... 

Make it cold 

The combination of hot water and elastic is about as good as washing your silk delicates in a top loader, it should be avoided at all costs.  Make sure you wash your gym wear in a cold spin and also try to separate your lycra from tougher fabrics like wool and cotton as it will likely cause pilling. Ideally, your gym wear should be washed separately, so if possible save your washing for the end of the week when you have a full load of gym wear.  

Ditch the dryer 

While it may be tempting to throw your gym clothes into a dryer because you have left your washing to the last minute, avoid it at all costs. Mixing elastic and heat will leave your favourite pieces saggy and looking worse for wear. Air-dry them instead. Your gym clothes will dry at a faster rate so hang them up in the sun while you prepare your breakfast. They should be ready to go before you are.  

Watch the soap and softener 

Gym clothes require extra soap and softener to rid them of their smell and ensure a good clean - false. 

Your gym clothes are made from a sweat-wicking material, which makes it harder for soapy solutions to penetrate the fabric. This means the fewer suds there are the better your gym wear will wash.  Likewise, while softener may add a nice smell, it will sink into the weave of your moisture-wicking fabrics making it less useful.