Handle
with Care
by Travis Murray at SLS3
You’ve spent your hard earned money
on your exercise gear like Running Shorts or Compression Socks and
now it’s time to put it to the test. After a grueling workout, you and your
Lycra® containing gear are ready for a bath. By the way, Spandex
is the generic Lycra® version. Lycra® is a brand name trademarked by DuPont.
After Your Workout
As much as we hate it, we’re all
drenched in sweat after a good workout, which means our clothes are, too. If
you don’t have time to wash your clothes right after your workout, or you’re
too tired like me, then hang dry your workout clothes, making sure there are no
wrinkle or overlaps. This prevents your gear from turning into a mildew
breeding ground. Gross! It also helps prevent weird stenches from staying
trapped inside your clothes.
Getting the Stink Out
The best method for remedying smelly
gym clothes is to give them a prewash. Soak your Lycra®
outfits in one part vinegar, and four parts water for at least 30 minutes
before hand washing, or throwing them into the washing machine. Rinse your
clothes thoroughly before washing them to get rid of any vinegar.
Some Dont’s to Remember
Do not mix vinegar and bleach ever!
If your detergent contains bleach rinse out your vinegar soaked clothes before
throwing them in the washer. Do not use vinegar in the rinse cycle of your
washer if your detergent contains bleach.
Do not use heat for any of your
Lycra® garments. Heat will destroy the elastic properties aka the
Lycra® fibers of your outfits. Avoid the dryer, ironing and the sun.
Remember: Heat is bad.
Do not use chlorine or bleach. This
will destroy the fibers of the fabric and you will get “bag and sag” syndrome.
Do not use Fabric Softener. These
are used to soften clothes and will make sure your expensive garment will never
retain its shape. Avoid the fabric softener.
In the Wash They Go
Although it is said that hand
washing is always the way to go, most of us don’t have time for that. Don’t
fret though! It is safe for your Lycra® garments to go into the washing machine
following these steps. First, make sure that all of your zippered garments are
zipped all the way up to prevent the zipper track from snagging onto other
fabric during the washing cycle. Turn your clothes inside out. Put delicate
items into a mesh laundry bag, lingerie bag, or pillowcase to protect them
(Definitely do this for Bib Shorts).
picture courtesy of instagram
The Set-Up
If you are worried that a pre-soak
just won’t cut it for getting all the smells out, you can put some vinegar in
the fabric softener dispenser of your washer. This will make sure your washer
will dispense vinegar in the rinse cycle. Always use cold water when washing
your Lycra® garments. Heat will destroy them. Set your washer on the
“Delicates” setting to prevent damage of your clothes.
Less is More?
Use less detergent than you normally
would for your Lycra® clothes. While detergent cleans your clothes, you
definitely don’t want a build up of it on your workout clothes. A build up of
detergent will trap in dead skin cells and trap bacteria into the fabric. If
you want to make sure your clothes last, try a detergent designed for washing
workout clothes.
Finishing Touches
After the washing cycle has been
finished, hang your clothes up, or lay them down flat to dry. Never put them in
the dryer. Remember heat is not friendly to Lycra® clothes. Lycra® is a fast
drying fiber so your clothes should not take too long to air dry.
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