How to Wash Workout Clothes So They Don’t Smell (A Realistic Guide)

If you train consistently, you eventually have this moment:

You pull a “clean” shirt out of the drawer.You start warming up.And by minute five you’re like… “Wait. Why does this smell like it didn’t get washed?”

You’re not crazy. We hear this from members all the time here in St. Louis. Which, by the way, if you’re new to Personal Space Fitness, start here to see how our members stay motivated - smelly clothes or not.

Here’s the good news: you usually don’t need new clothes. You just need a slightly different routine than you’d use for normal cotton t-shirts.

The quick explanation

Most workout clothes are made to dry fast and stretch. That’s why they’re great for training.

But those same fabrics also hang onto “gym smell” more than you’d expect—especially if they sit damp for a while, or if your wash routine leaves any residue behind.

So this is less about “doing laundry better” and more about avoiding a few common traps.

The #1 habit that fixes most stink

Don’t throw sweaty clothes straight into a hamper in a wet pile.

Even if you can’t wash them right away, do this instead:

• hang them over a chair, shower rod, or the edge of the hamper

• let them dry out first

  
  

That one habit alone prevents a lot of the smell from setting in.

The simple wash routine that works for most people

You don’t need to turn laundry into a hobby. Try this for a couple weeks and see what changes.

1) Turn workout clothes inside out

That’s where the sweat lives. You want the wash to hit the “inside” first.

2) Use less detergent than you think

This sounds backwards, but it’s real: too much detergent can leave buildup, and buildup holds odor.

If you’ve been doing a full cap every time, try cutting it back a bit.

3) Skip fabric softener (this one matters)

Fabric softener makes workout clothes feel nice… and it also makes them hold onto smell. It coats the fabric.

If you want softer clothes, use dryer balls or air dry. But skip softener for workout gear.

4) Wash cold (or cool) and don’t cook them in the dryer

High heat can make the problem worse over time. Air dry when you can. If you use the dryer, go low heat.

If the smell is already “baked in”

You’ll know this is you if:

• clothes smell fine out of the wash

• but the second you start sweating, it comes back

  
  

That’s the “reset” situation. Do ONE of these (not all three):

Option A: Vinegar soak (easy, cheap, works)

• 1 part white vinegar + 4 parts cool water

• soak 20–30 minutes

• wash like normal after

  
  

Option B: Baking soda (simple add-in)

• add 1/2 cup baking soda to the drum

• wash like normal

  
  

Option C: Activewear/enzyme detergent (the “set it and forget it” option)

• If you don’t want to soak anything, grab an activewear detergent and use it occasionally (not necessarily every load).

  
  

A few “why is this happening to me?” culprits

If you’re doing everything right and it still happens, it’s usually one of these:

• leaving clothes in the washer too long after the cycle ends

• using fabric softener (or softener sheets)

• using too much detergent

• washing workout gear with towels (towels hold smell too)

• letting sweaty clothes sit wet for hours before washing

  
  

The no-drama checklist

If you want the short version, it’s this:

• let clothes dry before they sit in a pile

• wash inside out

• use a little less detergent

• skip fabric softener

• cold/cool wash

• low heat or air dry

• do one “reset” soak if the smell keeps coming back

  
  

That’s it. No special powders. No 12-step process.

That said, if you're a "process person", we recommend you focus on your fitness plan. Get started by viewing the schedule and pick your session times.

FAQ

Do I really need to wash workout clothes after every workout?

If you sweat in them, yes. Otherwise the odor builds and eventually becomes harder to get out.

Is vinegar safe for workout clothes?

Yep, diluted. Just don’t mix vinegar with bleach.

Why do my clothes smell fine until I start working out?

Heat + sweat “reactivates” whatever’s stuck in the fabric. A one-time reset soak usually fixes it.

What if I hate the idea of soaking clothes?

Try the basics first (dry before hamper, less detergent, no softener). If you still have issues, an activewear detergent once in a while is the lowest-effort fix.