Are you used to going to the gym or jogging every day? There’s no secret, exercise is good for your health! On the other hand, it is particularly unpleasant when the clothes take on a foul odor. Do you want to eliminate the smell of perspiration? This article is made for you! Here are 5 tips for washing and deodorizing sports gear.
1 — REFRESH THE SNEAKERS
Did you know? Feet are covered in sweat glands! There are around 600 per cm². As you can imagine, when you exert yourself, your feet sweat a lot, which encourages the development of bacteria responsible for bad body odors… Do your sports shoes give off disturbing odors? Do not panic! You can overcome this situation with our advice.
First, you’ll dry the sneakers by stuffing them with newspaper to absorb the moisture. You can also put them in the sun for a few hours when the sun is at its peak. Once this task is done, limit the proliferation of bacteria by sprinkling your sports shoes with baking soda. This all-purpose powder is magical!
2 — MAINTAIN THE SPORTS BAG
Have you just returned from the gym? Don’t throw your bag in a corner! You should empty it and air it out after each exercise session. Otherwise, the confined clothes will macerate … Does your bag smell bad? In this case, put it in the drum of the washing machine for a well-deserved cleaning.
Want to know a trick to remove moisture from your gym bag? Slip in a few sachets of silica. Add a few sheets of dryer softener to scent your sports equipment and voila!
3 — SOAK SPORTS CLOTHES
Want to know some tricks to deodorize sports clothes? Give them a bath of youth by filling a basin with 2 liters of hot water and 1/2 cap of liquid detergent. Mix everything with the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon, then immerse the clothes in this broth. You will let them soak for a few hours before rinsing them with tap water.
Are the clothes completely soiled? In this case, fill a bowl with 3 liters of lukewarm water and 1 liter of white vinegar. You will soak the outfits in this preparation for approximately 30 minutes before placing them in the drum of your washing machine. Launch your favorite program to perfect the result.
Don’t have white vinegar at home? No problem! You can replace this ingredient with 1 glass of baking soda and 1 fresh lemon juice.
4 — WASH LIGHTLY SOILED CLOTHES
Is your sports outfit not too dirty? In this case, no need to prepare a bath to soak your clothes. Sprinkle them generously with baking soda before placing them in the washing machine drum for a classic cleaning cycle. You can even add a few tablespoons of baking soda to your favorite laundry detergent. It’s just as effective!
Whatever you choose, remember this absolute rule: you must wash your sports clothes every time you return from a workout. This is imperative if you want to avoid the proliferation of bacteria and the development of bad odors.
5 — GET RID OF BAD ODORS: OUR BONUS TIPS
Do you want to know a few more tips to get rid of bad odors and prevent them from appearing? Here are some tips to help you:
- If you have smelly clothes, put them in a plastic bag before placing them in your freezer for 48 hours. Since bacteria hate extreme temperatures, they will not tolerate the freezing process.
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, especially on days when you need to exercise intensively. Hydration limits excessive sweating.
- Take a shower before and after each sports session to eliminate bacteria on your skin.
- Limit applications of deodorant and scented sprays.
- Opt for technical fabrics and breathable textiles. These high-performance materials promote air circulation.
- Fall for antibacterial clothing. They contain antimicrobial agents to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Slip charcoal insoles into your sports shoes to prevent bad odors from forming.
- Switch between multiple outfits for ease of maintenance.
