With the cost of food and items you use every day rising, it is important to make the things you spend your money on last as long as possible. Your activewear is no exception and unless you are an incredibly lucky bargain shopper, your gym clothes are probably not cheap pieces in your dresser. You need to take care of them to make sure they look good for years to come. Here are some maintenance tips on how to get the most out of your workout clothes.
Don’t let the Sweat Sit
We all have our favorite workout pieces and if it wasn’t for the fact that by the end of a good morning at the gym, your best leggings could stand up on their own, you would probably wear them every day. No matter where you work out, whether you work with a personal trainer at a local gym, are part of 75 Hard, take part in a local class or simply have a weight bench at home, washing your workout clothing regularly will be best for the material because the chemicals and bacteria from your body will not have long term exposure to the fabric and possible damage. Doing frequent small loads is better than waiting to have a full large one. Taking the time to hand wash your sports bra shortly after use is a great idea, too, and is easily done by soaking them in a little detergent for about 20 minutes.
Keep it on Cold
Separate your darks and your lights and make sure you wash them all on the cold temperature setting of your washing machine. Turn them inside out before putting them in. The setting you choose should be gentle or slow. Use a gentle detergent for your workout clothes. They take a beating from friction and sweat but should be treated with great care when they are off your body. If they still smell bad, try adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the washing machine. The materials are meant to move with you and let your body breathe, so they are not designed to be cleaned the way jeans and sweatshirts are and can wear down quickly if not properly maintained. Using a mild detergent in cold water and a gentle setting is best for the life of your exercise clothing.
No Dryers, Please
The heat from your dryer is not a friend to your activewear and even though it is easier and quicker to just throw your workout clothes into the dryer with all the rest, they will last much longer if you lie them flat or hang them up. Air drying these materials is what is best for them and if you want to get the most out of your investment, then let them dry away from the heat of your dryer. Most of the materials will not take long to dry at all, because of the special fibers they are made of. Heat drying your athleticwear week after week will compromise the integrity of the fibers and they will lose their stretchiness. Designate certain surfaces for the drying area and set aside specific hangers for your workout clothes so you will not have to go looking for supplies when washing.
Keep an eye out for great deals on workout clothes so you can build up a nice assortment. Having a good amount to choose from can keep your pieces in rotation and not put three or four outfits through the wringer constantly. It is important to have athleticwear that fits you well and is in good shape so you do not have to worry about what you are wearing when you are trying to take care of yourself. Being physically active increases every part of your health, including mental, physical and emotional. Spend a little bit of money to get some quality workout clothes and then take good care of them while you are taking great care of your body, too!