Recommendations for washing gym clothes?

[CF-OC_gal]

I put this here, not in the off-topic forum, hoping that anyone and everyone who has an opinion can offer a suggestion.

How the heck do you guys (and "girlfriends") treat your gym attire ? I find that regular "Tide" gets them sort of fresh but really destroys the feel and look of my gym stuff (mostly cotton/ lycra and coolmax blends)

I really hate spending $20-$40 on a wicking shirt only to have it look and smell like crap after the 3rd wash. My regular t-shirts are just as bad.

There is a sports detergent called "Win". Has anyone tried it?
What do you people do?

[EliteLift]

i honestly just through them in the wash. they always come out smelling fresh and new.

i use "simply natural" detergent...

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by Brat

I find that regular "Tide" gets them sort of fresh but really destroys the feel and look of my gym stuff (mostly cotton/ lycra and coolmax blends)

Please elaborate. I don't understand what you mean by 'destroy'.

[.V.]

I use mountain rain scented liquid laundry detergent. It's Gain I think. I use the same scented liquid fabric softener. Then in the dryer...same kind of dryer sheets.

Usually keeps them from stinking too bad. The occasional bit of febreeze helps too. Straight from the gym to the washer so that odors don't have time to get "stuck" in there or whatever they do helps too.

[JMike]

Brat if you can get it Merino Wool is the best fabric for lack of smell. They sell a bunch of cuts, although I'm not sure if there's a vest. I did a quick search and there are vests, but I'm not sure how great they'd be. I'd recommend anything from Icebreaker . I don't know what athletic indoor exercise would be like in one but I go running in them and they're great.

[CF-OC_gal]

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Lady C, destroyed fabrics to me are:

• hems and necklines stretched out of shape
• faded, chaulky looking colours and feel to cottons
• shrinking in spite of being washed in cold, on delicate and avoiding the dryer
• pilling and holding sweat smells on wicking synthetics. The worst are running clothes that never really come clean.

Jmike thanks for the suggestion. The linked page was timed out so I'll have to check it later. I have a feeling that wool won't work for cross training and strength type workout wear. Good suggestion for others who might be reading though.

I requested a free sample of laundry detergent that claims to be sport clothing specific and even fix the smell on older gym clothes. (I hope so!)

[CF-OC_gal]

I got that merino wool page to work. Nice styles, I'm surprised!

I'll have too look for it in a store as with shipping, $ exchange and duty, the risk to purchasing online is pretty high. ($66.27 US for a crew neck t-shirt just for the gym is pretty pricey and then it would be shipped from NZ to Canada! Quite unrealistic to exchange if the fit or sizing is wrong.)

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by Brat

• hems and necklines stretched out of shape
• faded, chaulky looking colours and feel to cottons
• shrinking in spite of being washed in cold, on delicate and avoiding the dryer
• pilling and holding sweat smells on wicking synthetics. The worst are running clothes that never really come clean.

Hmm . . I've never had any of those issues. But I don't buy the fancy clothes either. A sports bra, running short and a big shirt and I'm good to go!

Originally Posted by Brat

I really hate spending $20-$40 on a wicking shirt only to have it look and smell like crap after the 3rd wash. My regular t-shirts are just as bad.

Too much information Brat. Keep your cards close to your chest. And definitely keep your workout outfits in your gymbag zipped up and locked if we ever meet face to face.

[Dan C]

I just throw them in the hamper or down the stairs when I'm done with them and the next time I see them they are folded neatly in my dresser.

I think she uses some kind of soap, I believe they call it detergent.

I honestly couldn't tell you what kind it is or how well it works on gym clothes. My gym clothes are nothing short of rags. My favorite pair of training shorts are a faded purple with more holes than a sponge. $20 would buy me a new gym outfit, but I have enough t-shirts, so I'm pretty sure I could get two pairs of shorts for $20.

[CF-OC_gal]

Originally Posted by pierini

Too much information Brat. Keep your cards close to your chest. And definitely keep your workout outfits in your gymbag zipped up and locked if we ever meet face to face.

Wow that was rude!

I doubt we'd meet anyways. Like Paul MCartney once sang... "Brother I can smell you a mile away!"

[JMike]

Brat the base layers are fairly well fitted, and in terms of movement/thickness it's a lot closer to cotton.

Icebreaker's real page

A big list of canadian dealers

Just for the record they don't pay me. It's just great when you find something that actually does what it claims.
1) warm in the cold
2) cool in the heat
3) wicking
4) light
5) looks/feels great
6) Can wear after sweating for three days before any real smell. And yep, it mentioned this on the shirt.

[CF-OC_gal]

That was cool jmike - I found 3 places that aren't too far from me. Thanks .:

Dan...I've needed a magic laundry fairy for a long time. They are all taken I think.

Maybe when I get my own gym I can get away with any old clothing, but for now I still have to layer and I do got through a lot of clothes.

[.V.]

There is only one left Brat. They are on clearance. hurry...

http://www.nachs.info/update/festiva...y%20-%20lg.jpg

[LiftGirl]

We have a front-loading washer, so I use tide HE. I wash lycra tank tops and sports bras on delicate and dry them on low, and mine all seem to be fine. (A bit of fading with the tanks, but I've been wearing them for 3 1/2 years now.) Maybe your washing machine is not too gentle?

Also, I am allergic to the scents in laundry detergent, so I only use 1/4 to 1/3 the amount tide says you are supposed to use. My clothes always smell fine when they come out, even with using less detergent. They don't stink, but they also don't smell like tide, so they don't bother me.