Smelly sportswear: 7 tips against sweat odor
Removing the odor of sweat from clothing: The fitness experts at FitForFun give seven tips on how shirts and shorts smell better after an intense sports session.
Throw the bag in the corner quickly after exercise and forget it there – not a good idea! Because a mixture of sweat, dirt and bacteria ensures that sportswear smells even more the longer you leave it lying around.
It gets worst when shoes and textiles stay in the gym bag for a long time after exercise or end up carelessly in the laundry basket, where they continue to simmer until you have time to wash.
But that doesn’t have to be mandatory. With a few habits and little tricks, you can ensure that the sweaty laundry smells fresh again for the next workout unit.
Tip 1: Unpack the bag immediately
Even if you cannot wash your sportswear right away, unpack it and let it dry as soon as possible. It is even better if you rinse it briefly in the hand basin.
A drying rack on the balcony is a good place to temporarily store clothes that are sweaty. If you ventilate and dry your clothes immediately, odor-causing bacteria have no chance of multiplying explosively.
Incidentally, the washing machine (possibly with the door closed) is absolutely not the right place for damp, sweaty clothes if you do not switch them on immediately.
Bad rumors then settle permanently in the fibers – and in the worst case, they then spread to other items of laundry
Tip 2: Functional clothing is more sensitive than cotton
These days, t-shirts, shorts and sweatpants are no longer just made of cotton. Many athletes not only choose items of clothing that contain stretch materials, but also fulfill all possible functions and are, for example, breathable and rain-repellent.
This functional clothing usually cannot be washed at high temperatures. 30 degrees and the delicate wash program are gentler.
Quick rinsing after exercise is particularly important with these modern textiles, as the salts from body sweat could impair functionality and destroy it if the sweat can remain undisturbed for too long.
Tip 3: the right detergent
Fabric softeners or dryer sheets are rather unsuitable for sportswear, as they can take on undesirable scents.
Alternatively, you can use special sports detergents – but make sure that they contain active ingredients such as zinc ricionelate, which bind odors even at low temperatures, instead of just working with fragrances that only cover the smell.
Another option is a hygienic rinse, which you can put in the appropriate compartment of the washing machine instead of fabric softener.
Tip 4: vinegar against the smell of sweat
If your sportswear stinks, add a cup of household vinegar to the drum in addition to the usual detergent.
Don’t worry that you will stink of vinegar the next time you workout – plain white vinegar is a tried and tested home remedy to kill bacteria and neutralize unwanted odors and make textiles smell fresh again.
Tip 5: use a dryer and clothesline
If you have a sensitive nose, putting the last touch of vinegar in the tumble dryer can help. To do this, set it to a relatively low temperature and let your clothes dry gently.
However, it is better to simply air dry very sensitive items such as bras, without external exposure to heat.
DRYER TEST: FOUNDATION WARENTEST RESULT (09/2019):
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Tip 6: citric acid for light-colored clothing
Another home remedy for sweat odor is citric acid. This can be used especially with light-colored clothing, as it also has a slightly bleaching effect and washes away yellow sweat stains from white shirts better.
On the other hand, it is better not to wash dark clothing with citric acid, as it brightens it and loses its intensity.
Powdered citric acid is best. Simply put hot water in a bucket and add four teaspoons of citric acid powder to every liter. Let the garment soak in it for about an hour. Then wash in the washing machine as usual.
Tip 7: get rid of the smell of sweat in shoes
Sweat also forms on your feet during exercise. But unlike sports pants or a functional shirt, you don’t put sports shoes in the washing machine after every workout. A perfect breeding ground for bacteria forms and the shoes start to stink.
So what can you do to prevent a strong smell of sweat from building up in your shoes? Tip number one is to ventilate your shoes vigorously and for a long time after each workout. It is best to put your sports shoes on the balcony overnight. Here they can dry and there is no sweat stink.
The sports shoes can also be washed occasionally. Whether the shoes are machine washable depends entirely on the model and material. Before washing, make sure that the shoes can withstand the washing and that the glue does not dissolve. In addition, you should definitely only wash the shoes with cold water.
Tip: There are special deodorants for the shoe. These remove unpleasant odors in the shoe and are ideal for sports shoes.
Shoe deodorants with an antibacterial effect are best. In this way, bacteria are regularly eliminated and the smell is neutralized.
Categories: General