How to Keep Your Workout Clothes From Smelling Bad
Stinks from sweaty clothes, but worst of all from sweaty workout clothes. Like those synthetic fiber leggings, these sweat-wicking socks, these technical tees? Uf. These fabrics are especially prone to harbor the most smelling bacteria.
You see, our sweat doesn’t stink on its own; the bacteria that live on our skin digest our sweat and oils, and they are the ones that stink.
Polyester clothing is an especially good home for Micrococcus bacteria after a sweaty workout, according to a 2014 study published in the journal Applied Environmental Microbiology . The authors note that the air mesh and moisture-wicking tissues also help bacteria get plenty of oxygen, and that once the clothes are removed from our skin, our immune system does not control their numbers.
Cotton doesn’t grow bacteria either, and it also tends to trap some of the stench inside its fibers where we can’t smell it. Another bonus for cotton: Detergents are very good at removing odor, sweat and bacteria. On the other hand, synthetic fibers are smooth and slightly oily. Detergents are difficult to get rid of bacteria.
So what can you do? Based on scientific evidence and my personal experience, I can recommend two things:
- Wear cotton . It may appear to sweat when you wear it, but if you don’t mind (and don’t do winter workouts in a situation where hypothermia is a problem), it won’t smell bad in the wash.
- Flush your sports equipment immediately . I drop my synthetic clothes on the floor in the shower before jumping in. Before or after washing my face, I rinse my clothes and wring them out. This will remove a lot of sweat and bacteria before they can combine and cause a strong odor.
I found that after a quick rinse, I can hang my gear in the shower (which is what I have hooks for) and it doesn’t give off a foul odor when it dries. I rinse every pair of clothes and then throw them into the regular wash. But if you want to be really thorough, consider washing your clothes with detergent right after your workout.