If you're a regular gym-goer, you know the struggle of getting the smell out of your gym clothes. Although the fabrics used in such garments are comfortable and flexible, they can smell awful if not cleaned properly.

That smell won't budge easily, whether from sweating during workouts or the bacteria build-up.

But hey, no worries!

You can take a few DIY steps to keep your workout gear fresh and clean.

Why Do Gym Clothes Smell? 

Do you know that incredible feeling after pushing through a tough sweat session? It's so rewarding!

But in a while, pesky odor-causing bacteria cling to our body oil, sweat, and skin cells. These little troublemakers accumulate in the synthetic fibers of our clothes and give off that literal stink.

Frustrating, right?

Even washing the clothes won't solve the issue, as detergents are mainly made for cleaning traditional fabrics like cotton. They can't penetrate and perform well on synthetic fibers.

So, what can you do if detergent is not the way to go?

7 Effective Ways for Getting the Smell Out of Your Activewear 

Below, we have gathered the seven tested ways to eliminate the stinky smell of your gym clothes.

Air-Dry Your Gym Clothes Before Tossing in Washing Machine. 

After a tiring workout or morning walk, popping your clothes into the washer before getting into the shower might seem the best way to keep them clean.

But that's not a great idea.

Doing this will support bacterial growth instead. So, whether you are doing the laundry straight away or just want to satisfy your anxiety, the right way is to air dry the sweat-drenched clothes first.

Flip your Clothes Inside Out 

As mentioned earlier, your body's sweat, oil, and skin cells are responsible for sweat production. So, before air-drying or washing, you should flip your clothes inside out to let the detergents and water come in direct contact with the smelling side, where bacteria are accumulated.  

Freeze Your Clothes to Prevent Bacterial Growth 

Don't have time or energy to wash the clothes or a place to lay them for air drying? No worries! Just toss the gym clothes in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator until you find time to wash them. The freezing temperature will prevent bacterial development, thus, liming the production of smell.  

Soak Up in Vinegar

Vinegar has long been used as a cleaning agent. It helps eliminate smells by destroying the structure of bacteria, oils, films, and stains. After thoroughly drying your clothes, leave them soaking in the vinegar solution for around 30 minutes before washing. Wondering how to prepare the vinegar solution? You can find  multiple ways on Google when browsing "How to clean gym clothes?" 

However, the simplest one is to mix up one portion of vinegar and five portions of water. 

Don't worry about the strong smell of vinegar, as it won't stick to the clothes after washing with detergent.  

Use Detergent Wisely! 

We all have a misconception that adding more detergent will help quickly eliminate the smell. To your, more precisely ours, surprise, we are supporting bacterial growth by doing so! More detergent will produce more scum build-up,  sparking the production of mildew and mold – fav food of bacteria. 

You must be stuck with, "How to wash gym clothes without detergent, then?" Don't skip using it; use it wisely. For instance, just two teaspoons of premium detergent would be enough. Alternatively, you can use ¾ of the amount you usually use when washing clothes.  

Ditch the Fabric Softener 

Do not use fabric softener when washing your gym clothes. Wondering why? These softeners are meant to add a fresh feel to your clothes, make them feel softer, and reduce wrinkles. But that's not the only thing they do! Fabric softeners mess up with the odor-fighting and stain-removing powers of detergent. They clog the fibers of clothes, making it difficult for water and detergent to cleanse deeply. 

Tip: We usually use softeners for that refreshing odor, but lemons can be a better substitute! 

Skip the Dryer! 

Besides drying your gym clothes in the dryer, let them dry in the sunlight. UV rays will help you eliminate the leftover residue of smell-causing bacteria. Air drying has loads more advantages too. For instance, it allows clothes to maintain their shape and elasticity. Skipping over-drying, gym clothes will retain their integrity, 

accompanying you for longer. It's even environment-friendly, so are you willing to overlook all these perks? We heard you shouting NO! 

Wrapping It Up! 

No doubt answering the query, "How to get the smell out of gym clothes?" is not a  piece of cake. Yet, by sticking to our guidelines mentioned above, you can ensure optimal stink removal. Also, if you are looking to get a new pair of gym clothes,  ensure to check out Gorkha Athletics.  

We hope you have answers to the most frequently asked queries: how to clean gym clothes? Stay tuned for informative guides!