Activewear is designed to move, stretch, and wick away sweat, making it perfect for workouts but also trickier to care for than regular cotton tees or jeans. Anyone who’s left gym clothes in a bag too long knows how stubborn odours and stains can be.
However, with the right approach, activewear can stay fresh, comfortable, and long-lasting. This guide breaks down everything from pre-wash routines to drying tips, so workout gear is always ready for the next sweat session.
And when laundry day feels overwhelming, a professional laundry service like Tumble Laundry is always ready to do the work.
Most activewear is made from technical fabrics like polyester, nylon, elastane (spandex), or blends of these materials. They’re designed to wick away moisture and provide stretch, but these very qualities make them sensitive to heat, harsh detergents, and rough handling. They can also lose their shape or elasticity if washed the wrong way.
Here’s a quick look at the most common activewear fabrics and their characteristics:
• Polyester & nylon are durable but can trap odours if not washed properly.
• Elastane/spandex gives stretch but breaks down easily with heat or strong chemicals.
• Mesh and fabric blends are lightweight but delicate, requiring gentle care.
Knowing what the fabric is made of helps in choosing the right washing method, one that tackles sweat and odour without damaging the fibres.
Before tossing gym clothes into the machine, a little prep goes a long way. Sweat and bacteria set in quickly, especially if clothes have been sitting in a gym bag.
To make sure clothes are fresh and ready for the wash, try these quick pre-wash habits:
• Air them out. Don’t let sweaty clothes sit in a pile. Hang them up to dry before washing.
• Rinse after workouts. If washing right away isn’t an option, a quick rinse under cold water helps prevent odour buildup.
• Turn inside out. This exposes the sweaty inner layer to detergent and water, where it’s needed most.
• Pre-treat stains. For deodorant marks or protein-based stains (like sweat), dab on a little mild detergent before washing.
These small habits prevent odours from becoming permanent and keep fabrics fresh longer.
Once clothes are prepped, it’s time to wash them. But remember, activewear needs a slightly different approach than regular laundry.
Keep these tips in mind to protect the fabric and fight odours effectively:
• Choose cold water. Hot water can break down elasticity and set odours instead of removing them.
• Use a gentle cycle. This protects delicate fibres and prevents pilling.
• Pick the right detergent. Regular detergents sometimes leave residue that locks in smells. Opt for a mild or sports-specific detergent designed for synthetics.
• Skip the fabric softener. It may smell nice, but softeners coat fabric and block its sweat-wicking ability.
• Don’t overload the machine. Washing smaller loads of activewear separately from heavy fabrics like towels or jeans also helps reduce friction and damage.
Dryers are activewear’s biggest enemy. Heat breaks down stretch fibres and leaves fabrics misshapen. The safest method is always air drying.
Here are some easy ways to dry gym clothes without ruining them:
• Lay flat to dry. This prevents stretching and helps pieces keep their shape.
• Hang dry indoors. Avoid direct sunlight, which can fade colours and weaken elastic fibres.
• Avoid wringing out. Gently press out excess water instead as twisting can damage delicate seams.
Air drying might take longer, but it keeps gym clothes in their best condition for much longer.
Sometimes, even after a wash, activewear still smells less than fresh. That’s because sweat contains proteins and oils that cling to synthetic fibres.
If odours just won’t budge, here are some tricks worth trying:
• Vinegar soak. Add half a cup of white vinegar to cold water and soak clothes for 30 minutes before washing.
• Baking soda boost. Sprinkle a little baking soda into the wash to help neutralise odours.
• Sports detergent. If smells persist, switch to a detergent designed for performance fabrics.
Consistency is key. Washing soon after workouts and using the right products helps prevent that “forever sweat smell.”
Even with the best at-home care, sometimes activewear needs a professional touch. Here are times when sending gym clothes to a laundry service or dry cleaner like Tumble Laundry just makes sense:
• Persistent odours that won’t go away with regular washing.
• Delicate or high-performance fabrics that need special care.
• Busy schedules when laundry feels like another workout.
With fabric-specific cleaning methods and expert handling, Tumble Laundry takes the stress out of keeping gym clothes fresh. Instead of worrying about ruining a favourite pair of leggings or sports bras, everything comes back clean, fresh, and ready for the next workout.
Activewear is meant to work hard, but it doesn’t have to wear out quickly. By rinsing after workouts, using cold water and mild detergent, skipping fabric softeners, and air drying, gym clothes can stay fresh and supportive for the long run.
And when laundry feels like another workout in itself, Tumble is just a call away.
Book a laundry service at Tumble today and give your activewear (and the rest of the laundry) the professional care it deserves.