I’m either dressed like I’m going to the gym, or, I’m actually going to the gym! Can you relate?! I love activewear and live in it, which is one of the reasons why I created The Strong Movement Activewear line!
When your wardrobe consists of workout clothes and you’re investing in new pieces to add to your collection, properly caring for and maintaining their quality is important to ensure that they will be just as vibrant and look as good as new after every wash! In the long run, it saves time and money!
Below are a few tips and tricks that will help you care for your activewear, guaranteeing the quality and longevity of your favorite sports bras, leggings, and everything in between.
DASH OF SALT
Despite the title, this is one piece of advice you don’t want to take with a grain of salt! What I’ve found makes a huge difference is simply adding a tablespoon of salt when you wash your workout clothes for the very first time. Thanks to the chloride in salt, the color is sealed in, which keeps clothes bright for a longer period of time and prevents color bleeding! Bonus hack: salt is also great at removing bloodstains from clothing. Talk about an all-around win!
AVOID BLEACH & FABRIC SOFTENER
Bleach may work wonders for whites, but it can also work against you if not used properly. Through the process of oxidation, bleach helps remove dirt and other unwanted markings by breaking up big stain molecules into smaller ones, which then wash away. The bad part is that bleach can ruin clothes because it also oxidizes the fabric, and leaving bleach on clothing for too long can cause holes. Your activewear is already soft enough, using fabric softener can ruin the fabric and elasticity of your workout clothes. Avoid bleach altogether when you wash your activewear!
BE GENTLE
When possible, I always prefer to hand wash my clothes. Even though activewear is quite durable, repeated washes start to break down the material, not to mention that the speed of the washing machine can be harsh on your clothes. If you don’t have time to hand wash, be sure to remove any pads or other loose pieces that shouldn’t go in the washing machine to prevent any mishaps.
DON’T DELAY
Bacteria that linger can leave behind an unpleasant odor on your clothes, and if they sit in your hamper for long enough, the scent may transfer to your other items. After an especially intense workout where you break a lot of sweat, it’s a good idea to wash your clothes immediately after. You also don’t want any sweat stains developing from sitting in the hamper too long. Your clothes will thank you for it.
WASH SOLO
Please please please wash your pieces separately even if they are similar in color! This keeps the colors from bleeding onto each other and lessens the risk of damage from clothes rubbing against each other. The fabric used in the Strong Movement Activewear line is so moisture wicking it will literally absorb colors from other pieces in the first few washes. Avoid washing clothes with fleece material and towels, which can cause lint to transfer. Turn items inside out before washing (also helps prevent color bleeding). If you must wash multiple items together, put individual pieces into garment bags to keep them separated in the washing machine.
COLD TEMP
Another simple way to prevent color from fading is to wash your clothes in cold water. Washing clothes in hot water can cause certain stains (especially blood and sweat) to set in the clothes, so sticking to cold water helps keeps those stains from becoming a permanent fixture. Cold water also prevents shrinkage, a problem that happens to many garments when washed in hot water.
HANG DRY
The intense heat from the dryer affects the way your clothes fit (with cotton pieces, there may be shrinkage when exposed to heat both in the wash and in the dryer). The heat can reduce elasticity and alter the performance of your clothes. If you’re in a hurry or need to wear an item right away, opt for low-heat to minimize the negative effects of drying. After you remove your clothes from the wash, turn them inside-out and hang to dry in a well-ventilated area away from the direct sunlight, as the sun makes color fade much faster.
Do you have any other tips or tricks you use when you wash your activewear? Share them below! xo
I wash all my clothes inside out to minimize color fading. I don´t know if it helps, but it won’t do any harm either.
Thanks for sharing! That’s a great tip for those that want to wash with extra caution!
It’s good to know that cold water can prevent clothes’ color from fading when they’re washed. I want to find a clothing company that can make bespoke kits for my daughter’s sports team. Thanks for sharing this advice we can use to keep her new sports clothes looking their best for as long as possible.
Right? Who would have thought?! Glad this tip was helpful!