What is Workout Gear Made Of?
Workout gear is typically made from synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex, which are popular for their moisture-wicking, stretchy, and durable properties. These fabrics help keep you dry and comfortable during intense exercise.
Natural fibers like cotton and merino wool are also used, especially for lower-impact activities or cooler weather – thanks to their softness and breathability. Many workout clothes combine both synthetic and natural fibers to balance performance with comfort.
General Tips for Workout Gear Care
From breathable leggings to moisture-wicking tops, your activewear is built to move, but it also needs the right care to stay fresh and last longer. Follow these smart laundry tips to keep your workout gear in top shape:
- Air Out Immediately After Workouts – Don’t let sweaty gear sit in your gym bag or car. That trapped moisture can lead to mildew, stubborn odors, and bacteria buildup. Hang your clothes when you get home to air them out until you’re ready to wash.
- Sort by Fabric Type – Wash your workout gear separately from towels, cotton tees or denim. Athletic fabrics, like spandex, Lycra and nylon, are more delicate and can easily snag or collect lint from rougher or heavier materials.
- Turn Activewear Inside Out – Sweat, oils, and bacteria collect inside your workout clothes. Turning them inside out before washing helps your detergent target the dirtiest areas, leaving your gear cleaner and fresher.
No matter how advanced your gear is, these tips will help keep it in top shape for your next workout.
How to Treat Stains on Workout Clothes
Whether it’s from post-spin class sweat or a splash of your favorite smoothie, activewear is bound to pick up stains. The key to keeping your workout gear looking and smelling fresh is treating those stains right away.
Start by spot-checking your clothes after each workout and pretreat stains as needed. OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray helps loosen tough stains, making them easier to remove in the wash!
1. Spray
Directly onto the spot or stain until the area is saturated.
2. Wait
Let stand for five minutes or up to a week, depending on the severity of the stain.
3. Wash
With detergent in warmest water the fabric will accept.
*Test OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray in an inconspicuous area prior to use. Can be used on all machine-washable whites and colored fabrics (some colored fabrics may be prone to color change). For fabrics that are prone to color change, do not let stand longer than five minutes. Treat now and wash later – up to a week before washing. Do not use on silk, wool, leather and fabrics labeled dry clean only.
Maybe you’ve got stubborn sweat stains on your favorite workout tank, or a splash of coffee landed on your leggings in a rush to yoga class. Maybe your white soccer uniform picked up a tough grass stain during a weekend game.
Stains happen, and when they do, OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray is your go-to solution. It’s tough on stubborn spots, giving you the power to conquer even the toughest stains.
With OxiClean™ Max Force™ Laundry Stain Remover Spray, you can treat stains on your activewear as soon as they happen and still wash them up to seven days later. Plus, there’s a convenient travel-sized 2 FL OZ. spray perfect for on-the-go stain emergencies, helping to keep your workout gear looking fresh no matter where your fitness takes you.
How to Wash Gym Clothes
Your workout clothes need a deep clean that’s gentle on performance fabrics. OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover is safe for use on synthetic blends and helps boost your detergent’s power.
1. Check Items
Turn activewear inside out, button all buttons, and zip up all the zippers. Check all pockets for any loose items.
2. Add
Add mild laundry detergent and OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover (fill to Line 1) to the drum before inserting workout clothes.
*Test OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover in an inconspicuous area prior to use. Do not use on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather, or fabrics labeled dry clean only.
OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover is chlorine-free and safe on all colors, making it perfect for your workout gear. It works in both HE and standard washing machines and can help boost any laundry detergent. Always check the packaging for instructions and follow the care label on your activewear.
You can also use OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free to clean your gym clothes! It’s safe to use on colors and contains no dyes or perfumes. For tough stains on your workout leggings or tops, try soaking them in a mixture of OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover or OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover Free and water (follow the package instructions) before washing to get your gear fresh and ready for your next session.
How to Brighten White Activewear
From white sports bras to compression leggings, keeping your light-colored gear fresh can be challenging – especially when sweat and deodorant leave behind stains. To revive your whites, try OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover Powder. This chlorine-free formula lifts stains and brightens so your activewear stays crisp, clean, and gym-ready.
1. Add
Add mild laundry detergent and OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover Powder (scoop to Line 2) to the drum before inserting workout clothes. If using OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover Liquid, add ½ capful or 1/3 cup and add to the drum.
*Test OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover on an inconspicuous area prior to use. Do not use on wool, wool blends, silk, silk blends, leather, or fabrics labeled dry clean only.
OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover delivers 40 percent more whitening power per load than chlorine bleach. It’s also great for cleaning white mesh and canvas sneakers. For tough stains on gym clothes, try pretreating by soaking them in a mixture of OxiClean™ White Revive™ Laundry Whitener + Stain Remover and water (follow the package instructions) to bring your whites back to life.
How to Get Smell Out of Workout Clothes
Whether you’re crushing a spin class or just powering through a hot summer walk, it’s no surprise your activewear can start to stink over time. Sweat, body oils, and bacteria can cling to performance fabrics, especially if you’re not washing them right away. And storing damp gear in your gym bag or laundry basket can lead to that dreaded musty smell.
When your activewear needs a serious refresh, reach for OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Versatile Odor & Stain Remover Powder. It helps eliminate the funk, so your gear smells as good as it looks, workout after workout.
1. Fill
Add a full scoop of OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Versatile Odor & Stain Remover Powder or one Pak of OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Odor & Stain Remover Paks to 1 gallon of the warmest water allowable for your fabric. Mix well to dissolve.
2. Soak
Submerge workout clothes for 3-6 hours. Especially pungent odors may require a longer soak.
3. Wash
As usual with detergent. If using OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Versatile Odor & Stain Remover Powder, fill to line A and add powder to load; if using OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Odor & Stain Remover Paks, add one Pak.
*Test all products in an inconspicuous area prior to use. Always follow manufacturer’s guidelines for items being cleaned. Do not use on fabrics labeled dry clean only.
Whether it’s post-run sweat, hot yoga humidity, or just gear that sat too long in your gym bag, OxiClean™ Odor Blasters™ Versatile Odor & Stain Remover Powder helps get your activewear fresh again so you can focus on the next workout, not yesterday’s smell.
How Often Should You Wash Gym Gear?
Most gym clothes should be washed after every workout, especially items like sports bras, leggings, and shorts that come in close contact with sweat-prone areas. These spots are more vulnerable to bacteria and even yeast infections if not cleaned regularly.
Synthetic fabrics, commonly found in activewear, tend to trap odor and bacteria, so they should be washed after each use, even if they don’t feel soaked. Cotton shirts can sometimes be worn twice if they stay dry, but it’s best to err on the side of cleanliness. Don’t forget your socks and shoe liners, which can also collect bacteria and should be cleaned frequently.
Can I Put Gym Clothes in the Dryer?
While some workout clothes can be tumble-dried on a low or no-heat setting, it’s generally best to air dry your gym gear to protect the fabric and maintain elasticity. High heat from dryers can damage synthetic fibers like spandex, cause shrinkage, and weaken the elastic components, which may lead to stretched-out or misshapen clothes.
If you do use a dryer, be sure to choose the lowest heat setting or an air-dry/cool cycle, remove your clothes promptly once they’re dry to prevent wrinkles and damage, and avoid using dryer sheets since they can leave residues that reduce your workout gear’s moisture-wicking ability.
Keep Your Workout Gear in Peak Condition with OxiClean™!
From high-performance leggings to those trusty workout tees, OxiClean™ stain solutions help maintain the vibrant colors of your activewear. Tackle tough stains and odors so your gear stays in top shape, ready to support every move you make, workout after workout.