How to Keep Workout Clothes From Stinking

Prevent foul smelling workout clothing before you begin exercising.

Working out should be invigorating and enjoyable and should not cause you to check for clothing odor every 10 minutes. Odorous workout clothing occurs for several reasons, but the primary cause is sweat. As you perspire, your clothes trap bacteria and moisture between the fabric and your skin, giving off that infamous gym smell. While washing your exercise clothing regularly eliminates this odor, preventing it in the first place is ideal.

Things You'll Need

• Breathable wicking fiber workout clothing
• Antiperspirant
• Sweat band
• Baking soda

Instructions

1. Wear clothing made from breathable wicking fibers. Odor comes from bacteria, and bacteria grows in wet, warm conditions. Clothing that wicks moisture away from your skin and circulates fresh air prevents this unpleasant smell from building up while you sweat.

2. Apply antiperspirant deodorant just before exercising. Your body is going to sweat anyway, but a fresh application of antiperspirant deodorant reduces the amount of perspiration and improves its odor.

3. Absorb your body's perspiration during, not after, vigorous workouts with a towel or sweat band, instead of wiping your face on your shirt or letting the sweat drip down your body. Patting down your face, back, neck and underarms while exercising reduces the sweat near your body, thus reducing the bacteria and smell.

4. Sprinkle baking soda inside your gym bag to absorb the bacterial odor of your clothing between the gym and your house. Unless you wash your clothes at the gym, transport time, which lets bacteria grow, is unavoidable. Sprinkling baking soda on and around your clothing for the trip home limits unpleasant odor by removing excess moisture and bacteria before washing.

Tips & Warnings

• Launder your workout clothing after each workout session. Keeping your exercise apparel in a gym bag or damp locker in between exercise sessions lets bacteria grow. Washing your clothing as soon as possible after working out removes this bacteria. Follow the specific care instructions for your clothing to avoid weakening or ruining the fibers.

References

• Adidas Running: The Best Sports Stores in Singapore
• Atsko: Proper Care for Performance Fabrics
• Sierra Trading Post: Exercise Wear Guide
• Lulu Lemon: Fabrics and Care