Jean in Newcastle Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I wash my clothes after each wearing but despite throwing some oxy-clean in there in addition to the detergent, they come out smelling a bit rancid. This does not happen to the cotton clothing in the same load. What am I doing wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Salt: I was a little sceptical about this one at first, but the science makes sense. Salt is a natural antibacterial so will kill those critters lurking in your synthetic apparel. Simply soak the offending item in a salted (few tablespoons) bath of water before throwing in the regular wash. The salt bath was the home remedy winner for me. I soaked my Club Ride shirt overnight and after a regular wash the next morning, the stink was completely gone. If you live near the ocean, you could always just jump in the water after each workout. I've heard this and will try it as I'm getting back into exercising heavily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Vinegar in the wash cycle works for me. I work out most days and wash shirts after every wearing and pants after every 2 wearings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2hunangirls Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I use vinegar too. In the wash cycle for sweaty clothes. Just rinse for regular smelly. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 You should be washing your exercise clothes seperate from your other clothing, especially anything cotton. It will ruin the "tech" part, which will make it harder to get the smell out. You can do an extra rinse with vinegar, which helps. This week I also did a presoak with baking soda. Dry on air or your lowest setting for your dryer. Heat will set the smells into the clothes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted September 7, 2013 Author Share Posted September 7, 2013 You should be washing your exercise clothes seperate from your other clothing, especially anything cotton. It will ruin the "tech" part, which will make it harder to get the smell out. You can do an extra rinse with vinegar, which helps. This week I also did a presoak with baking soda. Dry on air or your lowest setting for your dryer. Heat will set the smells into the clothes. Could you explain why I need to wash them separately? Is it because of the temperature setting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I line dry my synthetic work out clothes. Heat isn't great for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganCupcake Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I found that what worked for me was soaking them in the detergent-y water after the washer filled (this was when I had a top loader) by stopping the agitator cycle for 30 minutes or longer. Now that I have a front loader, I have to use the sink or a bucket to soak, but it still works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I didn't know these needed to be washed separately. I just throw them in with the rest of the laundry, wash on cold and hang to dry. Haven't had a problem with the items smelling funny though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Could you explain why I need to wash them separately? Is it because of the temperature setting? Yes, because the cotton fibers can attach to the tech material, creating pilling and clogging them (on a very tiny level, but it will hurt the wicking properties of the fabric). Also, tech fabric should be washed in cold water only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I must be the laziest exerciser (?) in the world. I just throw them in with whatever on whatever temp with whatever detergent. I figure I stink when exercising, anyway, so who cares if they don't smell like sunshine. I haven't had any stink issues out of the dryer, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grantmeawish Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 I wash our workout clothes in detergent and vinegar. This works even on my dh's smelliest clothes; however, I have one sports bra that has to be soaked in salt water before washing or it will still smell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted September 7, 2013 Share Posted September 7, 2013 Gosh, salt! I do Bikram yoga 3-4 days a week; it's 90 minutes in a 105F room, and I have to soak the exercise clothes befire washing. I was using this GREAT exercise detergent from Canada, but it's $20/pack, so I had stopped buying it. I was probably paying $20 for a bag of salt, lol! Thanks for the very useful tip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 I use vinegar on DH's stinky synthetic workout gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfknitter.# Posted September 8, 2013 Share Posted September 8, 2013 I tend to wash mine with my bras in this: http://www.forevernew.com/ I get it from my (not so local) bra vendor. A large bottle lasts about 6 months and I wash all synthetics- bras, exercise gear, dd's ballet and tights, etc. in it. I will admit, it does have a bit of a perfume smell, but not overwhelming. I don't do perfume in personal or most household detergents. I do find that bras and tits last a smidge longer by using it and air drying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabella Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I tend to wash mine with my bras in this: http://www.forevernew.com/ I get it from my (not so local) bra vendor. A large bottle lasts about 6 months and I wash all synthetics- bras, exercise gear, dd's ballet and tights, etc. in it. I will admit, it does have a bit of a perfume smell, but not overwhelming. I don't do perfume in personal or most household detergents. I do find that bras and tits last a smidge longer by using it and air drying. You might want to edit spelling in your last sentence ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 I do find that bras and tits last a smidge longer by using it and air drying. Wow, that's some powerful detergent. I wash mine on hot always, with whatever else is getting washed on hot, and I never have smell issues. I have a nose like a bloodhound, so I would notice for sure. I don't care if the label says to wash them on cold; they don't need to last forever, but they do last a long, long time. The shirts will eventually shrink lengthwise, but for me, it beats having to wash them in fairy tears under a full moon or whatever other machinations would be required without hot water. (I live in Atlanta--those babies are getting their share of sweat.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 We use white vinegar with success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elfknitter.# Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 You might want to edit spelling in your last sentence ;-) Eh, why bother now when it bring a bit of a chuckle to someone's day. :) Ah the joys of typing on an iPad... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Since moving into a house with well water, I've had quite a time with cloth diapers and exercise clothes. I eventually "stripped" the clothes like I strip the diapers. With Dawn. It worked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Sport Wash or Penguin Wash work well for us. I have been out and need to order more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Echoing the vinegar.I have teens, so I buy it by the gallon. :001_smile: If it's a light load, I'll just add it to the warm water cycle for colors. Sometimes for the whites or synthetics, I will let the washer fill (with soap and vinegar added), stop it and leave things to soak for about 15 minutes, then restart to wash as normal. That seems to do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkyandtheBrains. Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 Echoing the vinegar.I have teens, so I buy it by the gallon. :001_smile: If it's a light load, I'll just add it to the warm water cycle for colors. Sometimes for the whites or synthetics, I will let the washer fill (with soap and vinegar added), stop it and leave things to soak for about 15 minutes, then restart to wash as normal. That seems to do the trick. I buy it by the gallon too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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