How to Wash Workout Clothes

To wash workout clothes, turn them inside out, wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle with a small amount of regular detergent, skip fabric softener, and air dry or tumble dry on low. Wash soon after your workout, since sweat that sits in a hamper is what makes odor set in. Always check the care label first, because it overrules any general advice.

Activewear is made of stretchy synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester and elastane. Heat, harsh chemicals and friction can wear down those fibers over time, which may reduce stretch, opacity and softness. Good care is the cheapest way to get more wear from clothes you paid good money for.

This guide covers a simple routine, how to deal with odor, how to care for sports bras, leggings and shoes, and the mistakes that most often shorten lifespan. It is general care advice, not a brand-specific guarantee. We have not tested these methods ourselves, and the care label and brand instructions always come first.

The basic routine

1. Check the care label. If it says wash cold or hang dry, follow that. Some brands, including Gymshark, say not to remove the care label, and removing it can affect returns.
2. Turn items inside out. This protects the outer surface from friction and puts the sweat-contact side toward the water.
3. Wash cold. Cold water is gentler on elastic fibers and helps prevent shrinking and color loss. Warm is fine only if the label allows it.
4. Use a gentle cycle. Less agitation means less pilling.
5. Use a small amount of regular detergent. Too much detergent can leave residue that traps odor. A detergent made for activewear is optional, not required.
6. Skip fabric softener. It can coat fibers and trap sweat and bacteria, which may hurt moisture wicking. This is widely advised by care guides and brand care notes.
7. Close zippers and hooks. Fasten bra hooks and velcro so they do not snag.
8. Dry carefully. Air drying is the gentlest route. If you use a dryer, choose the lowest heat or air-fluff setting.

Wash soon, and do not leave it in a bag

Sweaty clothes left in a gym bag or a hamper give bacteria time to grow, and the smell becomes harder to remove. If you cannot wash right away, hang items to dry first. Do not seal them in a bag.

What to wash together

• Wash like with like. Group activewear together, away from heavy fabrics like towels and jeans, which can cause friction and pilling.
• Avoid zippers and rough items such as denim and hook-and-loop strips, which can snag soft knits. The softest fabrics, like the Lululemon Align's Nulu, are often reported by owners to pill and snag with friction.
• Separate colors. Dark and bright colors can bleed on first wash.
• Do not overload the machine. Clothes need space to rinse thoroughly.

A mesh laundry bag can protect bras and delicate leggings, though it is optional.

Beating odor

Odor in activewear comes from bacteria feeding on sweat and body oils that stay in synthetic fibers, which tend to hold smell more than cotton does. If a regular wash is not enough, try these in order.

1. Wash sooner. Often the best fix.
2. Use a bit less detergent and rinse well. Residue can hold odor. An extra rinse cycle can help.
3. Pre-soak. Soak items in cool water with a splash of white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing. Many care guides suggest this, though results vary, and you should test on a hidden spot first and avoid it with delicate or colored trims if unsure.
4. Try a sport-specific detergent. These are designed to break down oils.
5. Do not use bleach on stretch fabrics, which can damage elastane.
6. Avoid hot water and hot dryers to "kill" smell. Heat can harm elastic fibers, and it can set some stains and odors.

If a pair keeps smelling after careful washing, the fabric may be holding oils, and it may be time to replace it.

Leggings and bottoms

• Turn inside out and wash cold on gentle.
• Hang or lay flat to dry.
• Avoid bleach, softener and rough surfaces.
• Wash after each wear if you sweat. Between lighter wears, airing out can be enough.

Delicate, brushed or buttery fabrics like those on the Lululemon Align or Alo Airbrush are commonly reported to pill when rubbed, so keep them away from towels and velcro. Heat and friction can also thin fabric over time, which affects opacity. If squat-proof coverage matters to you, see how to test leggings at home. Gymshark's care note also warns that some light colors can turn sheer when stretched, so wash them gently.

Sports bras

• Fasten hooks and wash in a mesh bag if you have one.
• Wash cold, gentle, inside out.
• Air dry. High heat can weaken elastic and foam padding.
• Remove removable pads before washing if the label says so. Fixed foam pads, like those in the Gymshark High Support, should not be wrung or squeezed hard.
• Underwire bras, such as the Brooks Dare, do best hand washed or on a gentle cycle in a bag.

Replace a bra when the band stretches out or support fades. Our sports bra fit guide covers signs of wear.

Joggers, shorts and tops

Technical joggers, shorts and tees follow the same rule: cold, gentle, low heat. Shorts with built-in liners should be turned inside out so the liner gets cleaned. Items with prints or reflective details should be washed inside out and air dried to protect the finish.

Running shoes

Machine washing and drying can damage shoe glue and foam. A gentler method:

1. Remove insoles and laces.
2. Brush off dirt with a soft brush.
3. Use cool water, mild soap and a cloth or soft brush on the upper.
4. Stuff with paper to hold shape and absorb moisture.
5. Air dry away from direct heat and sun.

Check the brand's care page, since some say machine washing is acceptable. Clean shoes also last longer; see when to replace running shoes.

Common mistakes

How often should you wash?

Wash after any sweaty workout. For light activity such as a walk or a light yoga class, you may wear leggings or joggers more than once if they smell and feel clean. Bras and anything that sits against sweaty skin should be washed after each hard workout.

Does care affect returns?

Yes. Most brands, including Lululemon, Gymshark and Athleta, require returns to be unworn and unwashed with tags attached. Do not wash an item until you have decided to keep it. See our activewear return policies comparison.

If you are shopping for pieces that suit your care routine, start with the leggings finder or our best leggings list.