It’s a common conundrum faced by the likes of gym-goers, runners and the parents of active teenagers: tackling that pile of smelly socks, sweat-stained T-shirts and musty jerseys.
So, what’s the best way to keep activewear smelling fresh? We asked the experts for their top tips.
What causes gym clothes to smell?
Dr Carolina Quintero Rodriguez, a senior lecturer at RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles, says these odours are due to the fact most activewear is made from synthetic fibres, which, when damp, can become a breeding ground for bacteria due to their lack of breathability.
Natural fibres, like merino wool, which has inherent sweat-wicking and antibacterial properties, can be better choices.
There are also newer synthetic fibres that have been engineered with the specific purpose of preventing bacteria growing, she says.
But it’s not only the fibre we need to think about, says Rodriguez.
“It’s also the type of exercise we are doing, the intensity, the sweat level – we sweat differently in different areas [of the body] and female and males sweat differently.”
Other factors that contribute to sweat – and odour – are temperature and humidity and the structure of garments, which can create “microclimates” against the body, she says.
How to wash gym clothes
The first step to preventing odour comes before clothes even hit the washing machine: avoid letting sweaty gym gear languish in the laundry basket, Rodriguez says.
Ideally, clothes should be washed as soon as possible, but barring this, Rodriguez recommends keeping laundry hanging and well-ventilated until then.
Matthew Steen, CHOICE director of reviews and testing, says simple is best.
“Putting all of your gym clothes together and through a gentle or a synthetic wash, using a good quality detergent. That’s pretty much your best bet”.
Cold wash is best to maintain the longevity of exercise gear, which goes through plenty of wear and tear.
“All your detergents use a surfactant, which are basically going to get rid of the bacteria. So you don’t need to worry about using a hot wash,” he says.
Rodriguez also recommends washing pieces inside out, so the side closest to the skin can be cleaned properly, and to avoid fabric softeners, which can clog fabric pores.
Both Rodriguez and Steen say a pre-soak is unnecessary.
Finally, less is often more, says Steen.
“If you’re overdosing on detergent, it’s not going to remove any more dirt or smell,” he says, while too much can leave residue behind, potentially staining clothes or exacerbating skin conditions such as eczema.
Often, only half the recommended amount is necessary, says Steen, but he suggests experimenting to see what works best for you.
Do you need speciality products?
A growing range of specialist “sports wash” detergents are on shelves today. But are these marketing gimmicks?
Not necessarily, says Rodriguez, but some may contain milder detergents or a lower pH that can be gentler on fabrics.
For Steen, a general detergent will do the trick.
“Save your money – detergent’s detergent”, he says.
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