Skip to content
WARDROBE

How Often Should You Wash Activewear?

Activewear need washing every wear. Here is why, what to look for, and what to do between washes instead of running another cycle.

Laundry1 min readPublished Priya Nair

In short

  • Activewear generally need washing every wear.
  • Synthetic fibres are hydrophobic, so body oils bind to the surface rather than washing out. Left overnight, the smell sets permanently.
  • Between washes: Nothing works.

Synthetic fibres are hydrophobic, so body oils bind to the surface rather than washing out. Left overnight, the smell sets permanently.

The short answer

every wear

How often to wash activewearSynthetic fibres are hydrophobic, so body oils bind to the surface rather than washing out. Left overnight, the smell sets permanently.

When to wash sooner

Wash it now if

  • you sweated in it
  • that is the whole list

What to do between washes

Nothing works. Do not leave it balled in a bag — that is how the odour becomes permanent within hours.

How to wash them

Cold, no fabric softener ever. For set-in smell, soak in one part white vinegar to four parts water for 30 minutes first.

Frequently asked questions

How often should you wash activewear?

Every wear. Synthetic fibres are hydrophobic, so body oils bind to the surface rather than washing out. Left overnight, the smell sets permanently.

What should I do between washes?

Nothing works. Do not leave it balled in a bag — that is how the odour becomes permanent within hours.

Tools for this topic

Related reading

Laundry

How Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?

Wash frequency by garment, why washing less makes clothes last longer, and what to do instead of washing when something is not actually dirty.

Read Article
Laundry

How Often Should You Wash Socks?

Socks need washing every wear. Here is why, what to look for, and what to do between washes instead of running another cycle.

Read Article
Laundry

How Often Should You Wash Bed Sheets?

Bed Sheets need washing weekly. Here is why, what to look for, and what to do between washes instead of running another cycle.

Read Article

Read next

LaundryHow Often Should You Wash Your Clothes?Wash frequency by garment, why washing less makes clothes last longer, and what to do instead of washing when something is not actually dirty.Read Article

Get new guides by email

New guides, calculators and checklists, once a week. Unsubscribe in one click.