You know you’re a fitness queen (or king!) when you own more workout gear than street clothes. Who needs anything other than a good pair of leggings and a comfy sports bra to take you from studio to street? If you believe, like we do, that activewear is a solid investment, you’ll appreciate these tips as much as we did.
These are the dos and don’ts of making your Lycra last.
Do
- Dry sweaty clothes before dropping them into the hamper. Because, bacteria.
- Remove bra pads and soak in a gentle detergent in the sink. Then, air dry.
- Sort activewear from other fabrics and wash separately.
- Turn clothing inside-out to safeguard colors and wash the bacteria that tucks itself into your sweat zones thoroughly.
- Lock color in by adding 1T salt the first time you wash in your washing machine.
- Wash in cold water. Hot water can break down fibers and lead to shrinkage.
- Add 1C white/cleaning vinegar to each load. Vinegar is awesome for killing bacteria and clearing clothes of unsavory scents.
- Always air dry your activewear. Always!
Don’t
- Use bleach or fabric softener. These break down Lycra fibers and cause your clothes to stretch out - permanently.
- Put activewear into your dryer. The heat also breaks down stretchy fibers and fades color.
- Use a ton of detergent. A bit less than the bottle’s recommended amount is perfect. Too much soap can actually lock in odors. No, thank you.
It may seem daunting, but to get the best mileage out of your gear, wash after every wear – especially when you’ve sweat in it. If you follow the steps above, you will be able to wear sports bras about 6 months, bottoms for 2 years and tops up to 5 years each. Toss clothing that carries odors, starts tearing or simply stops holding to your form.
What do you do to keep your workout wear in great shape? Tell us in the comments!