How to maintain your sportswear
Want to save time and money on constantly replacing your sports attire? Read this guide to do so.
Taking good care of your sports attire is important!
Doing so could effectively extend their lifespan and save you time and money replacing them.
Here are our top tips to do so - read on.
1. Washing your sportswear
1a: GOOD POST-WORKOUT HABITS
Do you tend to put your sports gear aside… while waiting for the next batch of machine wash?
We wouldn't recommend doing that!
The more you leave your dirty socks, sports bra or leggings lying around, the more bad smells develop and the more difficult it will be to get rid of them!
So, roll up your sleeves and put your sports attire directly into the washing machine.
Can't wash them immediately?
Hang your clothes on a washing line, on hangers, or air them outside if possible.
The most important thing to do here is not to leave them bunched up or lying at the bottom of the laundry basket.
1b: USING A WASHING MACHINE
Opting to machine wash? Take some precautions for your sports stuff.
Synthetic materials such as lycra, polyester or elastane are very sensitive.
To avoid damaging your sports attire, the temperature at which you're washing your clothes should not exceed 30 ° C.
Additionally, remember to turn your clothes inside out to extend their shelf life.
Do not add fabric softener, as it affects the effectiveness of technical clothing.
1c: HAND WASHING
If you're pro-handwashing, here are some steps to follow to properly clean your fitness outfit:
- Pour 2L of warm water with half a cap of detergent
- Add the juice of a lemon and mix
- Let the clothes soak for a quarter of an hour
- Using a soft brush, rub the parts that most smell of perspiration (armpit, back, neck)
- Rinse and then hang up the clothes to dry them outside if possible
1d: HOW TO REMOVE ODOUR ON CLOTHING?
Modern synthetic fitness clothing has the advantage of keeping you dry during your training.
Unfortunately, they also tend to retain unpleasant odours.
Do your sportswear still smell bad after wash?
Don't panic! Here are some natural solutions to remove the smell of perspiration on clothing:
- Baking soda
This is a formidable weapon against bacteria!
Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste.
Apply it on the garment, let it dry, and then machine wash.
- White vinegar
Mix ¼ of baking soda and ¾ of water in a bowl before soaking your sportswear in it.
This little bath should do them good.
1e: DRYING AND IRONING OF SPORTS ATTIRE
Polyamide or polyester technical clothing has the advantage of drying very quickly in open air.
Avoid tumble drying, as the fibers will not withstand such temperatures.
Finally, don't iron your sports gear, as they don't need it.
2. Cleaning your sports shoes
Your sportswear is not the only thing that should be regularly maintained.
This is an easily forgotten step, but regular cleaning of sports shoes is essential to avoid the growth of bacteria.
This generally concerns two different parts of your sports shoes:
- Exterior
Using a soft brush, clean the external parts of your sports shoes with water and soap.
Baking soda is also a great way to restore your soles!
- Interior
Most sports shoes have sock liners.
If so, wash them in a bowl or machine.
After washing your sports shoes, dry them by placing them near a heat source.
We hope that this article has been useful for you!
Scroll down to discover more sports maintenance tips from our experts.
