How to Remove That Sweaty Smell from Your Workout Clothes

Ever catch a whiff of something less-than-fresh from your workout clothes, even right after they’ve been through the wash? You’re not alone! Our hot and humid climate means workout gear quickly becomes a haven for odour-causing bacteria. This guide will help you understand why your activewear still smells and provide actionable tips to finally eliminate that stubborn stench for good.

Why Do My Clothes Still Smell of Sweat After Washing?

Sweat alone is not the cause of that persistent smell in your workout clothes. Whether you regularly take part in HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training), or slower-paced pilates classes, there’s a chance that you’ll discover unpleasant smells sticking around long after your laundry cycle has ended.

These lingering odours are often caused by bacteria that thrive in synthetic fabrics. Unlike natural fibres, popular performance materials like polyester are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and cling to oils. While valued for their stain and water-resistant properties, activewear can also trap sweat, body oils, and odour-causing bacteria, making them notoriously difficult to fully clean in a standard laundry cycle. 

Inadequate Drying

How to make workout clothes not smell? If you take away anything from this article, remember not to leave them in your gym bag or laundry basket after a sweat session! Doing so creates the perfect conditions for bacteria to thrive. In this damp setting, odour-causing bacteria multiply rapidly and sink their roots deep into the fabric fibres, which makes the resulting stench much harder to eliminate later on. Making sure your activewear is fully dry is also key to preventing mould from growing in your wardrobe.

Excessive Detergent

Though it may seem counterintuitive, using too much detergent can actually hinder the cleaning process. The excess soap often fails to rinse out completely, leaving a residue on the clothes. This residue can then ironically trap and seal in odours instead of removing them. If you have sensitive skin, it may even irritate your skin. Why does this happen? During your laundry cycle, the dirt and germs that are lifted from your activewear go into the water, but when you use too much detergent, they get trapped inside instead of being rinsed out. 

Use of Fabric Softener

Who doesn’t love the feeling of extra soft clothes? Unfortunately, when it comes to workout clothes, fabric softener may do more harm than good. Fabric softeners work by coating the fibres of your clothes with a layer of electrically charged chemical compounds. This coating is the factor behind the soft and fluffy feel of fabric that has been treated with fabric softeners. However, fabric softener can also prevent clothes from properly wicking away moisture, leading to existing smells and oils being permanently trapped inside. It’s for this reason that some laundry experts caution against using fabric softener for towels, since their moisture absorption is the top reason why we use towels. Additionally, fabric softeners can also reduce breathability, which is why we do not recommend using fabric softener for the washing of delicates. 

DIY Solutions for Odour-Free Workout Clothes

Ready to say goodbye to smelly workout or gym clothes forever? Here are some simple DIY techniques you can start using today to keep your workout gear fresh.

Pre-Soak in Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda

Submerge your clothes in cold water mixed with 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda for 30 minutes. Both ingredients help sanitise and break down odour-causing bacteria before your gym clothes even get tossed into the washing machine. Meanwhile, be sure to use cold and not hot water, as the latter may damage your activewear and cause it to lose its stretchy and moisture-wicking properties. 

Use the Right Detergent

Avoid the urge to overuse detergent as excess soap residue traps smells. Use the recommended amount, or consider a specialised detergent designed for high-performance activewear. Consider using an indoor-drying formula if you plan to air-dry your workout clothes indoors; these formulas are often more effective in Singapore’s humid climate.

Wash in Cold Water

Did we mention you should stick to cold water? High heat can damage the delicate fibres of performance fabrics, making them less effective at wicking moisture. Always wash your activewear in cold water on a gentle cycle. This protects the integrity of the material and helps prevent your clothes from losing their shape.

Air-Dry Immediately After Washing

How to dry workout clothes? Start with airing them in a well-ventilated area after your laundry cycle and let time do its thing. An indoor clothes drying rack can also work well when paired with detergents specially formulated for indoor drying. Airing your gym gear discourages bacterial growth by eliminating the damp environment they love. 

What to Do If Your Workout Clothes Still Smell

Dismayed that your workout clothes are still emitting a funky smell after trying every home remedy you can find? If so, it may be time to call the laundry experts. Professional laundry and dry cleaning services use specialised cleaning techniques and high-powered, commercial-grade machines. More importantly, they have access to powerful enzyme-based detergents that are specifically designed to penetrate synthetic fibres and break down the deeply embedded sweat, bacteria, and body oils that off-the-shelf products can’t reach, for a truly fresh and sanitised result. 

Refresh Your Workout Clothes with Big Mama

Don’t let lingering odours ruin your fitness goals. If home remedies aren’t cutting it, it’s time for a professional refresh!

With Big Mama’s professional laundry services, you can say goodbye to stubborn smells for good. Our laundry experts use specialised solutions and techniques to deep-clean your gym workout clothes, making them look and smell fresh and clean again. The same powerful methods are also highly effective for tackling tough odours on well-loved shoes and bags. For that reason, our bag cleaning and shoe cleaning services in Singapore are also very popular.

Book our laundry and dry cleaning services now to give your workout clothes a new lease of life. Or visit our Ngee Ann City or West Coast Plaza outlet to drop-off your clothes.