Running may be great for your fitness and waistline, but it’s tough on your workout gear. Sweat, sunscreen, moisture, grass, dirt stains and subsequent heavy washes can harm the fabric. Plus, the smell of those workouts can really get into the clothes. But we don’t need to tell you that.
You want to run for fun, not to get away from the odors of your own clothes! Properly maintaining your running clothes helps you enjoy fresher gear, making runs more pleasant. It also lets your clothing stay looking great for longer.
How to Wash Running Clothes
There are a few basics if you want to maintain your running clothes in good condition:
- Uncrumple and dry: Ideally, you can come home from a run and pop your favorite workout clothes into the washer. If this isn’t possible, at the very least don’t keep them crumpled in a hamper or gym bag. The bacteria and mildew growing in a nice, dark spot like your workout bag are virtually impossible to remove. If you can’t throw it in a wash right away, at least leave your running gear out to dry completely. Hang it up in your car if you have to.
- Read your labels: Some running fabrics are moisture-wicking or special synthetics. Make sure you understand how to clean your fabrics so they last as long as possible.
- Use cold water washes: Cold and cool water are best for synthetic materials, which is what most workout gear is made from. Be sure to wash each set of running clothes after every workout. Wearing more than once between washes lets odors and stains set.
- Pre-treat: Use a little detergent or spot-cleaner on any stains before washing. Just test it on a tiny spot first to make sure the chemicals don’t damage the fabric.
- Use natural deodorizers: Dissolve a cup of baking soda in the water of your washer before adding your clothes. In the final cycle, add a teaspoon of vinegar. These natural deodorizers help you tackle set-in sweat smells without introducing harsh chemicals that could harm the fabric or your skin.
- Hang to dry: Synthetic materials and dryers are not on the best of terms. You’ll get the best results for your running gear by hanging it up. You’ll even want to hang your moisture-wicking running socks. Ideally, hang them in the sunshine. The sun can naturally fight odors and bacteria. If that’s not an option, dry them inside on a rack. Make sure your running equipment is 100% dry before putting it away.
Can You Clean My Running Gear?
Classic Drycleaners has a range of laundry services to help you keep everything tidy and fresh, from your everyday wear to special occasional suits and wedding dresses. Our wash and fold laundry services are perfect for running gear. We even offer pickup and delivery to some of our Harrisburg customers! With our services, you get to choose the type of detergent you want, too, so you can always upgrade to something more delicate for running gear. Contact us today at 717-920-5500 to find out more.