Athletic wear is designed to withstand intense workouts, but without proper care, sweat and bacteria can linger in the fabric. Pre-treating your gym clothes before your scheduled laundry service pickup can make a significant difference in their longevity and freshness. At Friendly Laundry Service, we want to ensure your athletic gear gets the best treatment possible.
Why Pre-Treat Your Athletic Wear?
Sweat, oils, and bacteria can build up in your workout clothes, leading to unpleasant odors and potential fabric damage. Caring for athletic clothing properly helps maintain its performance features like moisture-wicking and elasticity.
How to Pre-treat Gym Clothes Before Your Laundry Pickup
Step 1: Hang to Dry Immediately After Use
Instead of tossing sweaty clothes into a hamper or laundry bag, hang them to dry. This prevents moisture from fostering bacterial growth, the main source of odors and stains.
Step 2: Pre-soak Athletic Wear with Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide
Pre-soaking athletic wear with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can help break down sweat and eliminate odors.
- Vinegar Soak: Mix one part white vinegar with four parts cold water. Soak the clothes for 30 minutes.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Soak: Dilute hydrogen peroxide with water in a 1:1 ratio. Soak for 15-20 minutes.
Note: Always do a test on your specific clothing items.
Step 3: Use Baking Soda for Odor Control
Sprinkle baking soda on damp areas of the clothing to absorb odors. This is especially useful for cleaning sweaty workout clothes that have persistent smells.
Step 4: Hang Dry
Once your pre-treatment is complete, hang your clothes to air dry. Now they are ready for pickup!
Best Practices for Pre-soaking Your Athletic Wear
Cold Water is Key!
Using cold water for pre-soaking your athletic wear is essential to maintaining the integrity of the fabric. Hot water can set stains and embed odors deeper into the fibers, making them more difficult to remove. Cold water helps to loosen dirt, sweat, and oils without causing shrinkage or color fading. By opting for cold water, you ensure that your clothes are gently yet effectively prepared for washing, preserving their quality and extending their lifespan.
Avoid Fabric Softeners
While fabric softeners might make clothes feel soft and smell fresh, they can be detrimental to athletic wear. These softeners leave behind a waxy residue that can clog the moisture-wicking pores of performance fabrics. This not only traps odors but also reduces the breathability and effectiveness of the material during workouts. Let the vinegar in your soak be a natural softener and help eliminate any lingering smells without leaving harmful residues.
Use Some Gentle Agitation
Gently agitating your clothes in your soak can significantly enhance the cleaning process. Instead of vigorously scrubbing or wringing, lightly swish the garments around in the water. This gentle movement helps the solution penetrate the fibers, loosening embedded dirt and sweat without stretching or damaging the fabric. For particularly soiled areas, you can softly rub the fabric against itself to help lift stains. Gentle agitation ensures your athletic wear remains in top condition while effectively removing grime.
Tips for Handling Sweaty Sports Gear Before Your Laundry Service Pickup
Separate Colors
Separating light and dark athletic wear is crucial to prevent color bleeding, especially during the soaking phase when dyes are more likely to run. Dark-colored fabrics can release excess dye that may stain lighter garments, leading to discoloration. By keeping whites, lights, and darks separate, you maintain the original colors and appearance of your sports gear. This simple step helps preserve the vibrant look of your clothes, keeping them looking new and professional.
Turn Clothes Inside Out
Turning your athletic clothes inside out before washing has multiple benefits. The inside of your garments is where most sweat, oils, and skin cells accumulate. Exposing this side directly to water and detergent enhances the cleaning of these residues. Additionally, turning clothes inside out protects the exterior surfaces from friction and abrasion during washing, which can cause pilling, fading, or damage to logos and designs. This practice helps maintain both the cleanliness and the aesthetic appeal of your workout attire.
Zip Up Zippers
Before tossing your athletic wear into the wash, take a moment to zip up all zippers and fasten any Velcro closures. This simple step can make a significant difference in preserving the quality of your clothing. Open zippers and unfastened Velcro can act like hooks in the washing machine, catching onto other garments and causing snags, pulls, or even tears. This is particularly important for delicate fabrics or mesh materials commonly used in sports apparel.
Use a Breathable Bag
When getting ready for your laundry pickup, placing your pre-treated athletic wear in a breathable laundry bag is a crucial step that often goes overlooked. Unlike plastic bags or non-porous containers, breathable bags allow air to circulate around your clothes. This simple action can have a significant impact on the freshness and longevity of your athletic wear. And don’t worry, we will launder your laundry bags so they are ready for you next time.
Remember, Proper Care Starts at Home
This might sound like a lot of work, but with any routine, once you establish it, the steps will flow quickly.
By implementing these expanded tips into your routine, you’ll ensure that your athletic wear is not only clean and fresh but also long-lasting. Proper care before your laundry pickup with Friendly Laundry Service makes all the difference in maintaining the quality of your sports apparel.
