How to Get the Smell Out of Workout Clothes

Got the smelly workout clothes blues?

Your workout clothes work almost as hard as you do when you climb that treadmill, lift weights or hike a long trail. More than just a cover, your exercise clothes absorb the sweat and salts coming off your skin as you exert yourself. Even if you wash your clothes after each workout, sweat sometimes causes an unpleasant smell to lodge in the fabric. Don't rush out to buy new workout clothes just yet. It may take several washings, but it's possible to banish those offending smells from your exercise togs.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup baking soda
• 2 cups vinegar

Instructions

1. Fill a sink half full with warm water and add 1 cup of baking soda. Swish the water to dissolve the baking soda, then add your smelly garments. Push the garments down into the water, then lift them out to make sure all the fabrics are completely wet. Soak for one hour.

2. Drain the water from the sink. Squeeze out some of the water from your clothes and check to see if the smell has improved. If the smell is better or gone away completely, proceed to Step 5. If your clothes still smell bad, go to Step 3.

3. Fill the sink halfway again, but this time use hot water. Add 2 cups of white vinegar, stir the water a little, then put your clothes in. If some baking soda settled on your clothes, you may see a little fizzing. Let the clothes soak for two hours to overnight, depending on how smelly they are.

4. Drain the sink, squeeze out the excess water, and check the smell factor again. If the smell is better or gone away completely, proceed to Step 5.

5. Wash your soaked clothes on the hot setting of your washing machine using your regular detergent. Don't pack the machine with too many clothes. Detergent works best when there is plenty of water flowing through the clothes.

6. Dry your clothes in the sun if at all possible. Sunshine is a natural odor killer. If outdoor drying is not possible, tumble in your dryer.

Tips & Warnings

• If your clothes still smell, it's time to buy a special washing detergent. Generally known as "sports wash," these products are often sold in the sporting goods section of stores like Walmart and Target, and on Amazon.com. These products can be expensive at $10 to $25 a bottle. However, this is what Olympic teams and professional sports teams use to clean their clothes. Follow the directions for the product you buy.

References

• The Vinegar Institute: Laundry Hints
• The Frugal Shopper: Laundry Tips