WHY YOUR ACTIVE WEAR STINKS

We’ve all been there... you’re in the gym, you’re working out, when five minutes into your sweat session, the smell of body odor hits your nostrils. You might think it’s because you’ve forgotten to shower, however, there’s actually a much simpler answer.

Your workout clothes were never “clean” to begin with.

That’s right — washing your favorite active wear in normal detergent is not enough to eliminate the bacteria and odors that hide deep inside your workout gear. If you’re thinking to yourself “that’s impossible," read below to find out exactly why that stink happens.

Those smells you think are body odor are actually caused by bacteria. These bacteria break down your sweat and release gases which give your clothes that funky, don’t-get-too-close smell.

Synthetic fabrics keep you cool during your workout but at a cost. The moisture wicking fibers repel water, leaving behind oils and bacteria that linger and stink up your favorite workout shirt.

According to Lifehacker: “Polyester clothing provides an especially good home to Micrococcus bacteria after a sweaty workout, according to a 2014 study published in Applied Environmental Microbiology. The authors note that airy mesh and wicking fabrics also help the bacteria get plenty of oxygen, and that once the clothing is off our skin, our immune systems don’t keep their numbers in check.”

You know that smell that appears 5 minutes into your workout? Yeah there's an explanation for that!

Studies have shown that one smelly item can spread bacteria to 90% of the other items in the wash. Most of these bacteria can survive in the washer, even with water at the hottest temperature.

According to BBC News: “When Professor Andrew McBain and Dr Gavin Humphreys from the University of Manchester analysed our samples, they found up to 300 different types of bacteria were inhabiting our volunteers' armpits. The most common strains included Staphylococci which are associated with normal body odour, and Corynebacteria which produce more unpleasant smells. Interestingly, though perhaps not surprisingly, research suggests that Staphylococci tend to be more dominant in female armpits, whereas men tend to have more of the stinky Corynebacteria.”

How your workout gear is stored is a huge factor in its level of funkiness. Placing damp, sweaty items in a bag or laundry basket exacerbates the problem. Bacteria thrives in moist environments, meaning the longer it sits, the worse it gets. 

"How you store your workout clothes can also lead to additional odors — for example, leaving sweaty clothes in a closed up gym bag, locker, or hamper," Mary Zeitler, consumer scientist at the Whirlpool Corporation Institute of Home Science

Gyms are dirtier than you think. One exercise bike harbours more colony-forming units of bacteria than 3,693 countertops. Free weights? 60 times dirtier than a pet toy. Treadmills? 416 times dirtier than a TOILET SEAT. Now that’s nasty.

According to TIME : “We’ve found that one germy item in the washer will spread to 90% of the other items,” Reynolds says. And no, it doesn’t matter how hot you set the water temperature on your machine. “When it comes to molds that cause skin or respiratory infections, or organisms that cause colds, flu and stomach flu, most of them will survive the wash cycle”. 

KEEP YOUR CLOTHES FROM SMELLING

Clean Your Washer

It’s common sense - you can’t get clean clothes out of a dirty washer. But most people don’t clean their washing machine enough (if at all), which leads to bacteria and mildew build up that can be redeposited onto your supposedly clean clothing. Cleaning a washer is simple. First, wipe all of the seals with a damp cloth to remove any mold or mildew. Next, run a usual wash cycle with a cup of vinegar or bleach instead of detergent. Run a rinse cycle until you no longer smell bleach. Pro tip: If you have a front loading washing machine, leave the door open in between washes. Closing the door will not allow the barrel to fully dry out, making it a breeding ground for mold.

Keep Your Clothes Fully Dry

Keeping your clothes dry doesn’t just apply to after the wash. If you can’t wash your clothes immediately, try to air dry sweaty items before throwing them into the hamper. After you wash them, air dry them in an area with good ventilation. Ary drying them will not only eliminate bacteria build up, but prevent damage to the fibers from heat.

You can also try wearing cotton instead of synthetics. When you think of workout clothes, you generally think of Dri-Fit, polyester materials that wick away moisture while you sweat. While cotton may not be as thin or cooling, it does not harbour bacteria like synthetic fibers. Less bacteria means less stank.

Use Detergent Specifically for Workout Gear

If you’re wearing special fabrics, you need a special detergent. Rockin’ Green Active Wear detergent is specifically designed to clean workout clothes (if you couldn’t already tell by the name). This detergent is formulated with a specific blend of enzymes that target biological residues from sweat and break them down without damaging your expensive workout clothes. Plus, it contains Tea Tree Oil, a natural antibacterial, that eliminates those lingering bacteria to naturally extend the life of activewear.

Stinky Bacteria

It's Because of the Fabric

Bacteria Spreads

Storage Matters

Gyms Are Filthy