How to wash sportswear and eliminate odors

Women's sportswear is often exposed to more demanding conditions than everyday clothing. Sweat, friction and frequent washing can put leggings, tops, sports bras and technical garments under additional strain. Knowing how to wash sportswear correctly can therefore help preserve its shape, elasticity, colour and fabric properties for longer.

Washing gym clothes is not simply a matter of putting them in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry. Temperature, wash cycle, detergent and drying method all need to be considered. In this guide, we share practical advice on caring for your workout clothes and tackling one of the most common problems: persistent sweat odours in sportswear.

How should you wash sportswear in the washing machine?

Most sportswear can be machine washed, but there is one rule that should always come first: check the care label on each garment. Leggings, sports bras, technical tops and sports jackets can be made using different fabrics and constructions, so their care requirements may vary.

Before washing, it can also be useful to separate your sportswear from the rest of your laundry, particularly towels, fabrics that shed a lot of lint and garments with details that could damage more delicate materials. Zips and hook-and-loop fastenings, for example, can rub against leggings and tops during the wash cycle.

What temperature should you wash sportswear at?

One of the most common questions about how to wash gym clothes concerns water temperature. For many technical garments, cold water or a low-temperature wash cycle may be preferable, provided this follows the instructions on the care label.

High temperatures may not be suitable for some of the stretch fabrics used in activewear. Leggings, sports tops and sports bras often contain elastic fibres designed to move with the body, so using the appropriate washing conditions can help you care for these garments over time.

Should you wash gym clothes inside out?

Before putting your sportswear into the washing machine, it can be useful to turn the garments inside out. This helps reduce direct friction against the outer surface during the wash cycle.

This can be particularly useful for women's sports tops and gym leggings, particularly when they feature prints, logos or other external details.

How to wash gym leggings without damaging them

Leggings are one of the most frequently worn pieces of workout clothing and are regularly exposed to movement, fabric stretching and repeated washing. If you want to know how to wash gym leggings, always start by checking the care label and use a wash cycle suitable for synthetic or delicate fabrics whenever this is recommended.

Before washing, check the pockets, close any zips and turn the leggings inside out. It is also best to avoid washing them alongside garments with hook-and-loop fastenings or accessories that could catch on or rub against the fabric.

Using the correct amount of detergent is also important. Adding more detergent than necessary does not automatically make clothes cleaner and can make it more difficult to rinse the product completely from the fabric.

How should you wash a sports bra?

Sports bras may also require additional care, particularly when they feature moulded cups, removable padding or constructions designed to provide different levels of support.

Before washing a sports bra, always check its specific care instructions. If it is machine washable, a delicate cycle may be appropriate and, depending on the garment, a laundry bag can offer additional protection. If your sports bra has removable padding, check whether it should be removed before washing.

Explore different styles in our collection of women's sports bras.

How to get sweat smells out of sportswear

One of the most common problems with gym clothes is a sweat smell that can sometimes linger even after washing. If you are looking for how to remove sweat odours from clothes, the first step is to avoid leaving damp sportswear closed inside a bag for several hours after your workout.

Leaving sweaty leggings, sports tops or sports bras inside a gym bag for long periods is not ideal for keeping fabrics fresh. If you cannot wash your clothes immediately, take them out of your bag and allow them to air before placing them in the laundry basket.

Do not leave sweaty clothes in your gym bag

After your workout, remove your used sportswear from your gym bag as soon as possible. This simple habit prevents damp garments from remaining enclosed for several hours.

If the garment can be washed immediately, follow the programme stated on the care label. If not, allow it to air and dry before placing it with the rest of your laundry.

Should you use fabric softener on sportswear?

When washing activewear or technical fabrics, always check whether the manufacturer recommends or advises against using fabric softener. Some performance fabrics may require specific washing conditions.

Avoid automatically adding fabric softener to every wash. The instructions on the garment's care label should always take priority.

Vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and other ways to tackle odours

White vinegar and bicarbonate of soda are frequently mentioned as household methods for dealing with laundry odours. Before using them on gym leggings, sports bras or technical fabrics, however, check that they are compatible with the garment's care instructions.

The materials used in sportswear can vary considerably. A method that may be suitable for an everyday cotton garment is not necessarily appropriate for technical or highly elastic fabrics. When in doubt, use the detergent and washing programme recommended for the garment.

How to make sportswear last longer

Looking after your workout clothes comes down to a few simple habits: check the care label, follow the recommended washing temperatures, avoid leaving damp clothing inside a closed bag, wash garments inside out when appropriate and pay attention to the laundry products you use.

These steps are particularly important for stretch leggings, sports bras, technical tops and other garments designed to move with your body during exercise.

Following the individual washing instructions for each product makes it easier to care for your activewear and keep it ready for your next workout. Explore Ysabel Mora women's sportswear and discover gym leggings, sports bras, tops and jackets designed for your active routine.