With the rise in popularity of going to the gym and working out, many people are left wondering: how many times can you wear workout clothes before washing them? There is no definitive answer, as factors like the type of workout, how much you sweat, and personal hygiene preferences all come into play. However, there are some general guidelines to follow when deciding how often to wash activewear.
Quick Answers
– 1-2 times for high intensity workouts involving lots of sweat
– 3-4 times for lower intensity workouts with less sweat
– Synthetic fabrics tend to hold onto odors more than natural fabrics
– Wash workout clothes after every workout if you tend to sweat a lot
– Use your nose – if you can smell sweat or body odor, it’s time to wash them
– Wash bras after every wear to remove sweat and skin cells
– Consider washing workout clothes inside-out to preserve the shape and technical features
Factors That Determine How Often to Wash Workout Clothes
Type of Workout
The type of workout you do will impact how often you need to wash your activewear. High intensity workouts like running, HIIT training, and cycling where you work up a real sweat will require more frequent washing than lower intensity strength training or yoga. The more you sweat in your workout gear, the quicker bacteria and odors build up in the fabric.
Amount of Sweat
Closely related to workout type is the amount you actually sweat. Some people just naturally sweat more than others during physical activity. If you are a heavy sweater, you’ll need to wash your workout clothes more often than someone who sweats lightly. Excessive sweat not only causes odor to build up faster, but also provides a prime environment for bacteria growth in workout fabrics.
Fabric Type
Certain synthetic workout fabrics like polyester and nylon tend to hold onto body odor more than natural fibers like cotton and wool. That’s because natural fibers are more breathable and allow sweat to evaporate off the material more quickly. Synthetics trap sweat against your skin allowing odors to really set in. Wash synthetic workout clothes like dry-fit shirts and leggings more frequently than cotton or wool activewear items.
Personal Hygiene Preferences
Some people don’t mind wearing sweaty clothes multiple times while others find it gross after just one wear. Personal hygiene preferences play a big role in determining appropriate activewear washing frequency. If you are someone who feels uncomfortable in clothes that recently had sweat in them, then you’ll need to wash workout gear after every use. For those that aren’t bothered by wearing clothes fresh off their sweaty backs, washing after 2-3 uses may suffice.
General Wash Frequency Guidelines
Taking into account the factors above, here are some general guidelines for how often you should aim to wash workout clothes:
- High intensity interval training or cardio sessions: Wash after every wear
- Lower intensity strength training workouts: Wash after every 2-3 wears
- Yoga and pilates: Wash after every 3-4 wears
- Bras: Wash after every wear
However, use your nose as the ultimate test. If you can detect any body odor or sour sweat smell, it’s definitely time to throw that workout gear in the hamper. Don’t keep wearing smelly workout clothing thinking you’ll get another use out of it.
Washing Tips to Make Activewear Last
To make workout clothes last longer, follow these laundry tips:
- Wash athletic apparel inside-out to protect any technical features and preserve the shape
- Use a gentle detergent made specifically for activewear
- Wash in cold water to prevent fading and breakdown of performance fabrics
- Air dry instead of machine drying to help fabrics maintain their shape and wicking ability
- Use a garment bag for delicates when machine washing and drying to prevent damage
- Treat stains immediately to prevent setting in and ruining clothes
- Inspect elastic bands and ribbing for wear, as these deteriorate faster than fabric
- Replace workout apparel once pilling, fading, stretching, or breakdown occurs
How Often to Wash Specific Activewear Items
Here are more specific recommendations for washing frequency of different types of workout apparel:
Leggings and Tights
Leggings and tights should be washed after every 1-3 workouts. The contact between your legs and potential for sweat buildup means these need more frequent washing than items like tanks or hoodies.
Sports Bras
Due to direct contact with skin and sweat, bras should always be washed after every wear. The elastic band also tends to deteriorate faster when not cleaned regularly.
Tank Tops
Tank tops can typically go 2-4 workouts between washes, depending on your sweat level. The loose fit allows more air circulation compared to leggings.
Hoodies and Sweatshirts
Bulky sweatshirts and hoodies that aren’t directly against your skin don’t need as frequent washing. Aim for every 3-5 workouts between cycles.
Shorts
Workout shorts can generally last 2-4 wears between washings. They allow for evaporation of sweat and have limited contact with skin.
Socks
You’ll want to wash athletic socks after every wear since they soak up foot sweat. An exception is lightly worn socks during yoga or pilates.
Sports Bras vs. Regular Bras
While sports bras should always be washed after one wear, regular bras don’t need as frequent laundering. Unless visibly dirty or smelly, plain bras can go 2-3 wears between wash cycles. The key is to have several bras in rotation to extend time between needing to be cleaned.
Factors That Shorten Time Between Washes
Certain factors will necessitate washing workout clothes more frequently, including:
- High heat and humidity – clothes hold onto odor and sweat
- Working out multiple times a day
- Wearing heavy cotton fabrics that don’t wick away sweat
- Doing activities where clothes get dirty like CrossFit or mud runs
- Exercising outside versus in a climate-controlled gym
- Going hard during training and sweating excessively
- Not properly drying clothes between workouts
If any of these apply to your workouts and athletic apparel use, aim to wash clothes on the low end of the recommended frequency or even after every wear.
Signs It’s Time to Wash Workout Gear
Rather than counting wears, it’s best to use your eyes and nose to determine when activewear needs washing. Look for these signs it’s time to throw your workout apparel in the laundry:
- Visible sweat stains or moisture
- Noticeable odor or smelling yourself during a workout
- Clothes feeling damp or heavy from sweat
- Fabric looking darker from sweat and dirt buildup
- Visible dirt, stains, or grime on clothes
- Feeling slippery softener or detergent residue
- Elastic loosening due to dirt and oils
Trust your senses – if clothes look or smell dirty, go ahead and wash them. Following general guidelines helps, but your eyes and nose should be the ultimate decider regarding tossing activewear in the laundry.
Considerations for Public Gyms
If working out in a public gym as opposed to at home, you’ll want to wash clothes after every use. The equipment and environment in a shared facility contains more bacteria, viruses, and germs you’ll want to remove from clothing. It’s sensible to wash gym clothes after every public workout rather than reusing them.
Washing Workout Gear by Hand
While most athletic apparel can safely be machine washed and dried, you may choose to hand wash delicate or specialty items. Here’s how to manually wash workout clothing:
- Fill sink or tub with cool water and add a gentle detergent suitable for activewear and delicates.
- Submerge clothing fully and let soak for 15-30 minutes, gently swirling and moving items around.
- Drain dirty water and refill basin with clean cool water for rinsing items.
- Rinse clothes thoroughly until water runs clear.
- Roll items in a towel to remove excess moisture, don’t wring or twist.
- Lay flat or hang clothes to air dry fully before wearing again.
Hand washing allows you to treat workout gear gently for longevity. Hanging items to dry also helps maintain shape and performance.
Using a Garment Bag
A mesh garment bag is useful for protecting athletic apparel that is machine washed. The bag prevents damage by catching hooks and zippers on other laundry items. Follow these tips for using a garment bag:
- Turn clothes inside-out before placing in bag to wash.
- Group clothes of similar fabrics and colors.
- Zip bag fully closed before placing in washer.
- Use a gentle cycle on cold to medium temperature.
- Air dry inside bag or remove carefully before drying if needed.
- Inspect clothes for damage before rewearing.
A garment bag helps keep expensive activewear in good condition through many wash cycles. The bag prevents pilling, tearing, and protects elastic during machine washing.
Conclusion
Determining how often to wash workout clothes depends on several variables. While general recommendations are 1-4 wears for high sweat items and 3-5 wears for low sweat pieces, your nose should ultimately decide. If you can smell body odor or see sweat stains, it’s definitely time for a wash. Follow fabric care instructions, wash in cold water, and air dry to extend the usable life of activewear. Implementing good laundry practices allows you to get in those fitness workouts while keeping your clothes fresh.