Anyone who exercises regularly will appreciate the advantages of sportswear. It is light, extremely elastic, breathable and dries quickly. But even the best training outfit needs to be washed regularly so that no unpleasant smell of sweat remains in the fabric. But not every detergent and every wash cycle is suitable for caring for the sensitive fibres. We'll show you the best way to wash your sportswear so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible.
Proper cleaning and care of clothing begins with the choice of detergent. Use one that is designed for microfibre, polyester, elastane, membrane fabric, fleece, polyamide or even cotton. It's best to use liquid detergent that gently washes the synthetic fibres of your sportswear. A special detergent for sports clothing such as Dylon Liquid Sport Detergent is recommended.
It washes your sportswear thoroughly and cares for the fibres. The fresh scent that the detergent gives your sportswear is particularly pleasant. At the same time, it neutralises unwanted odours and protects the membrane function of your sports and functional clothing. In this way, the sportswear retains its breathability even after washing.
Do not use fabric softener when washing your sportswear, as this will damage the functional fibres in the long term. The material loses its breathability because the fabric softener causes the fibres to stick together.
When washing delicate sports clothing, you should make sure to use a gentle cycle. Many modern washing machines have a special wash cycle for sportswear. If your device does not have this, choose a program with a maximum washing temperature of 30 degrees Celsius and a low spin speed. Sportswear is rarely suitable for higher washing temperatures. If you don't really trust the washing performance at low temperatures, you can also add a hygiene detergent to the detergent compartment; this removes bacteria.
In addition, it is important to always close all zippers and Velcro fasteners, turn clothes inside out and separate them from other laundry before washing. It's best to put sports bras in a laundry bag before washing. For sports clothing that is water and dirt repellent, you should also regularly renew the waterproofing - for example with a special waterproofing spray or a waterproofing wash. Please note the manufacturer's recommendation.
Tip: If you are unsure whether you are following all the important washing instructions, the laundry label sewn into the clothing can help. It contains all the important information you should take into account when washing your sportswear.
If you don't get around to washing your sports clothes straight after training, you should definitely not put them damp in the laundry basket, but let them dry and air out first.
In general, you should wash very sweaty sports clothing after each wear. But you don't always have to put it in the washing machine. For many items of clothing, it is sufficient to only wash them in the washing machine after the second or third use. In between, hand washing is sufficient - either with the appropriate detergent or a mild shampoo. Don't forget the towels used for sports and the regular cleaning of your sports bag.