Top 5 Hacks for Getting the Stubborn Odor Out of Workout Clothes

Whenever you exercise and sweat into your workout clothes, the development of bacteria can cause your clothes to smell terribly. Thankfully, there are some surprisingly easy ways that you can get even the most stubborn odor out of workout clothes. Check out the hacks below to get started.

1. Don’t Leave Your Clothes in a Pile
Even though you might find it a lot easier to just toss your workout clothes onto a pile of other dirty laundry and forget about them, it is best to avoid doing this. When sweaty workout clothes remain in your hamper or in a pile, the bacteria in the fabric will continue to grow, the smell will linger, and the odor will get worse. If you can’t wash your clothes right away, the best thing to do is hang them to dry or lay them down onto a drying rack.
After a sweaty workout session, if your clothes are very wet, it really is best to wash them right away. Scheduling your laundry day with your workout day is a great way to ensure you can wash your sweaty workout clothes without delay.
2. Don’t Use Fabric Softener
When it comes to getting odor out of workout clothes, fabric softener is a bad idea because it ends up making a barrier on the clothes that will essentially lock in the odor rather than releasing it.
3. Use Lemon Juice
Another way to freshen up your workout clothes is by adding some lemon juice into your washing machine. The citric acid breaks down oils, eliminating bacteria and odors.
4. Use White Vinegar
To get odor out of workout clothes, you can soak them in white vinegar prior to washing them. You can soak the clothes with the white vinegar in your tub or sink. Use cold water and a cup of white vinegar, and allow the clothes to soak for 15-30 minutes before tossing them into the washing machine, where you can add a bit more white vinegar if you think you need it.
5. Use Baking Soda
Another way to eliminate odors from your clothes is by adding a cup of baking soda to your clothes after you have put them in the washing machine. Wash your clothes as you normally would and you should find that they come out smelling fresher.
You’re doing a great thing by taking care of your body with your workouts, but if your workout clothes are suffering from odors as a result, use the easy tips above to keep your gear smelling as fresh as possible. Whatever happens, don’t give up on workouts, because the benefits of exercise outweigh any odor it causes!