How to Wash & Care for Activewear (Make It Last Longer)

You've invested in quality activewear, now make it last. Most gym clothes wear out prematurely not from use, but from being washed incorrectly. Follow these simple rules and your leggings, sports bras, and seamless sets will stay in top condition for years.

The Golden Rules of Washing Activewear

1. Wash in Cold Water

Hot water breaks down elastane and spandex fibres, causing your leggings to lose their stretch and shape. Always wash activewear at 30°C or below.

2. Use a Gentle Cycle

High spin speeds and aggressive wash cycles stress the fabric. Select a delicate or gentle cycle to protect the fibres.

3. Turn Clothes Inside Out

This protects the outer surface from friction and preserves colours and prints. It also helps remove sweat and bacteria more effectively from the inner layer that touches your skin.

4. Skip the Fabric Softener

This is the biggest mistake most people make. Fabric softener coats elastane fibres and destroys moisture-wicking properties over time. Use a small amount of mild detergent instead.

5. Never Tumble Dry

Heat is the enemy of activewear. Tumble drying causes shrinkage, destroys elasticity, and degrades compression fabrics. Always air dry flat or hang to dry away from direct sunlight.

6. Don't Leave Sweaty Clothes Sitting

Leaving damp, sweaty gym clothes in a bag or laundry basket breeds bacteria and causes odours that become permanent. Wash or at least rinse your kit within a few hours of your workout.

7. Don't Overload the Machine

Activewear needs room to move for detergent to rinse out properly. A packed drum leaves residue in the fabric, which traps odour and dulls moisture-wicking. Wash gym kit in smaller loads, ideally separate from towels and denim, which shed lint and cause abrasion.

Specific Care by Garment Type

Leggings & Seamless Sets

• Wash inside out on a gentle 30°C cycle
• Use a mesh laundry bag to prevent snagging
• Air dry flat to maintain shape, as hanging can stretch the waistband

Sports Bras

• Hand wash where possible for best results
• If machine washing, use a lingerie bag and gentle cycle
• Never wring out, press gently to remove excess water
• Air dry flat or on a towel

Compression Wear (Knee Sleeves, Socks)

• Hand wash or gentle machine wash at 30°C
• Do not bleach or iron
• Air dry only, as heat degrades compression elasticity
• Replace every 6–12 months with regular use

Trainers & Gym Shoes

• Remove insoles and laces before washing
• Hand wash with a soft brush and mild soap
• Stuff with newspaper to maintain shape while drying
• Never put in the washing machine or tumble dryer

Dealing with Stubborn Odours

If your activewear still smells after washing, try soaking it in a solution of cold water and white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) for 30 minutes before washing. Vinegar neutralises odour-causing bacteria without damaging fabric. Don't combine vinegar with bleach, and skip it on anything with a special waterproof or DWR coating.

How Often Should You Wash Gym Clothes?

After every session. Leggings, sports bras and tops sit against sweaty skin, and bacteria set in fast, which is what causes odour to become permanent. The only exception is an outer layer like a running jacket that hasn't touched sweat directly, which can go several wears between washes.

When to Replace Your Activewear

Even with perfect care, activewear has a lifespan. Signs it's time to replace:

• Leggings have gone see-through or lost their squat-proof quality
• Waistband no longer holds its shape or rolls down
• Sports bra has lost its support or the band has stretched out
• Compression wear no longer feels snug
• Persistent odour that won't wash out

Time to refresh your kit? Browse our Leggings Collection, Women's Collection and Men's T-Shirts Collection, or contact us if you need help choosing.