45 days in, how’s that New Year’s resolution going?
If you plan on seeing it through to habit formation (21 days to go), it’s imperative that your gear performs at its best, because nothing impedes progress quite like not having clean shorts to wear to the gym.
If simply remembering to wash your workout clothes is the extent of your gear care, consider this our gift to you.
Wash your clothes immediately after your sweat session.
It’s the most logical place to start and perhaps the easiest tip to follow. By doing this, you’re stopping bacteria from creating that unwelcome, how’d-that-get-here smell from forming. Also, depending on the material makeup of your clothes, leaving them in the dirty laundry could cause them to break down quicker.
Pro Tip: Wash jerseys inside out with mild powdered detergent and cold water (gentle cycle setting preferred). Hang dry is also your best bet.
Your mom was right: separate bright, dark, and textured clothing from one another.
A simple but rarely followed rule among younger generations often spells disaster for workout clothes. Prevent bleeding and lint transfer by systematically separating texture and color.
If you put it in your gear bag, remember to take it back out.
It’s the rule that prevents bacteria growth on your equipment. This holds true for all sports, whether it’s lacrosse or wrestling, tennis or swimming—leaving wet/sweaty items to fester will cause widespread nose plugging. If you’re concerned which equipment is safe to put in the washer, a viable solution for all (gloves, shin guards, cleats, shoulder pads) is using a damp cloth with water or sanitizing spray.
Pro Tip: Most gym bags are washable (cloth or nylon) and can be tossed in the washer, but not the dryer. In between washes, use an old sock filled with baking soda and essential oil in the bottom of the bag to fend off odor.
When in doubt, air it out.
Storing gear in a closet or locker will undo any attempt at removing an unwanted smell. Enclosed spaces generally will not let the fabric breathe and therefore an odor will develop. Avoid this by either hanging gear outside on a clothesline or an open part of the house.
Show your gear some love and put these tips to work!
