How to Wash Activewear Right so Your Gear Stays Your Top Workout Partner

These days, performance wear comes in all colours, shapes and styles. It’s a must-have if you’re doing any kind of physical activity, and wearing the right kit can even help increase motivation during training.

If you want to keep your activewear's performance properties for as long as possible, you'll need to treat your garments with special care when washing, drying and caring for them. Who would have thought that proper care not only eliminates unpleasant odours and stubborn stains, but can also boost training performance as well?

The Evolution of Activewear

As the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad weather – only unsuitable clothing. So it's no surprise that the market for sportswear and activewear has changed significantly, and continued to evolve in recent years.

For more and more people, performance wear is playing an important role in personal training routines. Whether it's trousers, tops, jackets or hats, modern materials have long since replaced natural fibres. They're now often worn in everyday life thanks to their impressive and valuable properties – like being impermeable to water and wind, breathable, dirt-resistant and even helpful in regulating body heat. They also hardly fade, even in strong UV light, and can withstand frequent use over long periods.

High-quality activewear isn't just a nice-to-have – it's a real game-changer for an active lifestyle.

Where there's moisture, germs can thrive

Breathable fibres and antibacterial coatings make it harder for dirt and bacteria to cling on to these materials. But don't be tempted to stuff your workout clothes in your bag until you need them again, or leave them in the wash pile for days. To keep your workout clothes fresh and clean after exercising, it's still a good idea to dry them out in open air or on a warm heater immediately after training.

By hand, or in the machine?

The gentlest way to wash activewear and sportswear is by hand. This method at low temperatures preserves the functional technologies and elasticity of stretchy materials for a long time. There's no one standard way to clean and care for every single item – it's best to follow the instructions on each label. Most Fabletics leggings and sports bras can be washed either by hand or in the machine on a cold, gentle cycle, as explained in our care guide.

Avoid high temperatures

No matter what, one rule of thumb applies when using a machine: functional fabrics should always be treated as delicates or washed on a gentle cycle. This means washing at a temperature no higher than 30–40°C and avoiding overly aggressive detergents. The good news is that in recent years, more and more brands – including Gymspin – have started offering laundry detergents specifically designed for activewear and sportswear. These products are suitable for frequent washing, making it easier to clean gear after every workout. This helps your tops, jackets and trousers stay looking good and functioning well, and prevents the build-up of germs in the fabric.

Dealing with stubborn stains

Of course, sometimes gentle cleaning methods aren't enough. This is often the case with grass, food or blood stains, which are difficult to remove at low temperatures. When this happens, don’t be tempted to put the affected garment on a boil wash. Instead, stick to the method advised and treat the stain with a cleaning product that’s specifically formulated for the type of stain, with a soft brush if needed. Soaking and rinsing the garment beforehand means you can up your water temperature – but don't increase it to more than 60°C. You might need to repeat this process several times to fully remove the stain.

Fabric softener can impair functionality

To keep activewear looking fresh, new and fully-functioning for longer, you need to take certain care steps when washing and drying. One of them is avoiding fabric conditioner. The soft feel fabric conditioner gives is thanks to the coating it leaves on and between the fabric fibres. This may feel smooth and comfy on your skin, but it can impair the key features of sports and outdoor clothing – like water and wind resistance, and breathability.

Heat is also harmful when drying

It’s not just the choice of detergent that determines how well your sportswear performs – high temperatures can also have a damaging effect. Functional fabrics must also be handled with particular care when it comes to tumble drying. Intense heat can not only weaken the fibres, it can also destroy any coatings or treatments applied to the fabric. The good news is that sportswear textiles are usually made from such a fine weave that they dry quickly, even when air-dried at normal room temperature. This means you don't need a tumble dryer – a bonus for both your energy bill and the environment!

Fabletics x Gymspin Technical Bio-Detergent

Gymspin is shaking up the market

As useful as performance wear clothing is during workouts, it does present a few challenges when it comes to washing. Even small mistakes can permanently damage these high-quality items. That's why it's so important to use a detergent that's specifically designed to meet the needs of modern technical fabrics.

This is where Gymspin, a UK-based company, comes in. Gymspin works with athletes, gyms and sports clubs from all over the world to base their specialist cleaning solutions on real-world knowledge and experience. These not only remove unpleasant odours and stubborn stains from clothing, but are also designed to support the longevity and performance of your kit – turning your sportswear into a key tool for personal improvement, and even enhancing your training itself.

So what makes Gymspin different? Its advanced formulation uses a powerful enzymatic complex to remove bacteria and neutralise stubborn odours. With PhytoFocus Scent Technology featuring thyme oil extract, your activewear stays fresh for longer, while the colour-enhancing effect keeps whites bright and colours vibrant. The vegan-formulated pods work from just 30 °C and in short eco cycles – delivering performance care with a lower carbon footprint.

Fabletics' brand new Bio Activewear Detergent Washing Pods, powered by Gymspin, enable a deeper clean for your most-loved activewear. While non-specialist detergents simply mask odours, our lab-formulated, deep cleansing enzymatic complex removes bacteria & neutralises lingering odours for long-lasting freshness.

Ready to level up your laundry? Keep your activewear fresher for longer – try the first Technical Bio Detergent Pods made for your Fabletics gear.

How to Wash Activewear Right so Your Gear Stays Your Top Workout Partner

The Evolution of Activewear

Where there's moisture, germs can thrive

By hand, or in the machine?

Avoid high temperatures

Dealing with stubborn stains

Fabric softener can impair functionality

Heat is also harmful when drying

Gymspin is shaking up the market

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