Sportswear often faces the toughest stains. Sweat, grass, dirt, and stubborn odors can accumulate on your gear after even a single intense workout or game. For those with an active lifestyle, the challenge is finding the best stain remover for clothes that can handle these tough conditions without damaging the fabrics. This blog will guide you through the process of treating extra-soiled sportswear, including the products to save them and the optimal laundry cycles to keep your gear fresh, clean, and in top condition.
Step 1: Pre-Treat Stains for Best Results
Sports fabrics are designed to be lightweight and moisture-wicking, but these materials can trap sweat, odors, and dirt in ways that standard fabrics don’t. Washing these garments requires a more thoughtful approach to maintain their functionality and appearance. Before tossing your sportswear into the wash, it’s essential to pre-treat stains. For sweat stains and odor build-up, use a specialized stain remover. Some of the best stain removers for clothes are enzyme-based, which work to break down proteins in sweat and body oils, making them easier to wash away.
Pro Tip: Apply stain remover directly to areas such as the underarms, neck, and waistband, which tend to accumulate more sweat. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes before washing. On our blog, we recommend using different stain removers for different fabrics, so choose one that suits your needs. Brands like OxiClean, Tide, and Shout are among our most trusted.
If you don’t have a pre-treatment stain remover on hand, an old but reliable solution is a mixture of white vinegar and water. Vinegar breaks down odors and helps lift stains. Nike even recommends so on their website, suggesting to soak soiled sportswear with one part vinegar to with four parts cold water. As with any garment, make sure you read the care labels to ensure you are using the right washing method.
Step 2: Choose the Right Detergent
Regular detergents might not be effective enough at removing stubborn stains, and using the wrong laundry cycle can ruin your gear over time.
For activewear, choose a detergent formulated to remove odors while being gentle on the fabric. Some detergents are designed to break down the oils and bacteria from sweat, while others focus on deep cleaning and stain removal. The Spruce recommends several different stain removers and detergents, each with pros and cons. Analyze what you find important in a new detergent (odor-control, stain removal, gentle cleaning) and use that on your sportswear. We recommend using a detergent designed for the specific stains you need to clean as well.
Many activewear manufacturers recommend a sport-specific detergent to preserve the performance of your gear. Many manufacturers create detergent designed for active fabrics, in order to preserve their sweat-wicking qualities or target odors. Using the best stain remover for clothes, combined with a detergent tailored to sports fabrics, can drastically improve the outcome. If you prefer a gentler detergent for sensitive skin, using one that is specifically labeled hypoallergenic may work for you.
Step 3: Wash Using the Correct Cycle
Once you’ve pre-treated the stains and selected the best stain remover for your clothes, it’s time to wash your sportswear. Use a gentle cycle to prevent damaging the fabric. High-intensity washes may degrade the moisture-wicking properties of your gear or cause shrinkage. Heat may also impact your clothes, warping or damaging the fabric of your high-performance activewear. Depending on your clothing’s soil level, cold water is always our safe pick. The Laundress also recommends a cold wash, as well as using a delicate cycle to prevent damage or shrinkage.
Pro Tip: Always turn activewear inside out before washing. This helps reduce friction on the outside, keeping the color and fabric intact longer. Additionally, washing your gear in cold water helps preserve the integrity of the fabric while reducing the chance of shrinking.
For heavily soiled items, such as clothes with grass stains or caked-on mud, you may need to wash them twice to remove all dirt and debris effectively. In such cases, opt for a second wash with an extra rinse cycle to ensure everything comes out clean.
Step 4: Drying Your Sportswear
Drying sportswear properly is just as important as washing it. Never use high heat to dry your activewear, as it can damage the synthetic fibers and cause them to lose their elasticity. If you’re drying your gear in a machine, use a low heat setting or, ideally, line dry your sportswear. Another article from The Spruce recommends using a line to air-dry your activewear as well.
Pro Tip: To speed up the drying process, consider placing your activewear on a towel and rolling it up to gently squeeze out excess moisture before hanging it to dry. This method helps prevent any lingering odors while also preserving the material.
Since activewear is washed delicately, using delicate drying methods also applies. A good tip to keep in mind is storing your activewear correctly, as you might risk color fading or elasticity worsening if you store your clothing in hot or bright environments.
Conclusion
Caring for your sportswear doesn’t have to be a challenge when you know the right techniques. By using the best stain remover for clothes, applying the right detergents, and following proper washing and drying practices, you can extend the life of your activewear and keep it looking fresh and performing at its best.
Contact Automatic Laundry today for more information on keeping your clothes clean, or visit our blog for expert-backed techniques.
Sources:
https://automaticlaundry.com/what-is-the-best-stain-remover-for-your-needs/
https://www.nike.com/a/take-care-workout-clothes
https://www.thespruce.com/best-detergents-for-workout-clothes-2146615
https://automaticlaundry.com/13-stubborn-stains-and-how-to-remove-them/
https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-wash-smelly-workout-clothes-2147005
https://automaticlaundry.com/3-best-practices-to-wash-delicates-without-ruining-them/
