General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
 
 
of 3
 
 
How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
OptionResults
Every time after wearing110 Votes - [46.03%]
Every time after wearing unless super short workout20 Votes - [8.37%]
Every 2-3 wearings22 Votes - [9.21%]
Every 4-7 wearings3 Votes - [1.26%]
If it crawls away from me, I wash it.2 Votes - [0.84%]
Only if they have visible stains or obvious stink.8 Votes - [3.35%]
Bike shorts every time, everything else variable4 Votes - [1.67%]
Variable. All things.7 Votes - [2.93%]
Swimsuit - never41 Votes - [17.15%]
I typically have enough to run a load of tri clothing once a week.17 Votes - [7.11%]
If it can stand up on its own, time to wash.2 Votes - [0.84%]
Half way through my long run or ride while I'm taking in nutrition1 Votes - [0.42%]
Why wash something that is just going to get dirty again???2 Votes - [0.84%]
This is a multiple choice poll.

2011-08-25 3:51 PM
in reply to: #3659660

User image

Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
smurfcore - 2011-08-26 5:42 AM
Sous - 2011-08-25 10:24 AM

For those who wear multiple times, do you wear your underwear, socks, bras, undershirts, pantyhose, etc. multiple times as well?  I'm referring to your regular stuff.  Do you get home from work and peel off your dress socks, fold 'em up, and put 'em back in your dresser draw for tomorrow?  I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm really curious. 

I wear bras a whole lot of times. I wear tights (essentially socks) 3 or 4 times (depending on what shoes I wear with them). I wear button-down shirts at least twice so long as they've not gotten schmutz on them or anything. Jeans I wear until the butt sags (or something irretrievably messy happens to them.) Dresses, I wear 3-4 times.

I don't roll around in the mud. I shower/deo/antiperspirant before I put my clothes on. I don't work in high finance nor do I have a coke habit or nervous condition that means I sweat buckets. I live in San Francisco where it's rarely above "mild." I really see no reason to put something through the wash every time I wear (except undies I've worn all day.) For one, it makes my mostly-black wardrobe fade faster and kills fit/elastic/fabric texture, etc.  For another, I find the overwhelming waft of detergent/fabric softener way more annoying than plain 'ol well-worn clothing smell.

^^^ indeed, and all that washing--even with a high-efficiency washer--uses up tons of water and puts yucky detergents into the waste stream!



2011-08-25 3:59 PM
in reply to: #3658631

User image

Extreme Veteran
863
5001001001002525
West Michigan
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
Wash every time in warm water with a pre-wash in the sport soap stuff you can get from the store.  
2011-08-25 4:04 PM
in reply to: #3659112

Elite
2608
2000500100
Denver, Colorado
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
Sous - 2011-08-25 12:24 PM

There really should be no other options than #1. 

For those who wear multiple times, do you wear your underwear, socks, bras, undershirts, pantyhose, etc. multiple times as well?  I'm referring to your regular stuff.  Do you get home from work and peel off your dress socks, fold 'em up, and put 'em back in your dresser draw for tomorrow?  I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm really curious. 



Here's the rule: If it touches my bare a$$, it gets washed after each wearing. Everything else is based on common sense. If I had to interact with others on a professional level in my workout clothes, then they would get more frequent washings.
2011-08-25 4:34 PM
in reply to: #3658631

User image

Master
1584
1000500252525
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

In the summer there is just no re-wearing workout clothes.  For one thing, they are still soaking wet by the time the next workout rolls around.  And that's not even considering the smell.

In the winter, I may get 2-3 wears out of a shirt.  Less so for shorts / pants.

2011-08-25 9:49 PM
in reply to: #3659112

User image

Pro
5011
5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

Underwear? No. (I am a girl. Were I a dude, in boxers...it may be a different story.) I will jump in the shower in my bike shorts to take care of snail trail, etc. But not for underpants.

Regular bras? Holy sh1t, I will wear those FOREVER. Socks? yes. I also wear my dress socks multiple times. Smartwool dress socks have a VERY long lifespan.

I don't wear pantyhose.

Jeans, I wear until A) they are besmirched or smell or B) are so stretched out they fall off.



Edited by mmrocker13 2011-08-25 9:50 PM
2011-08-25 9:55 PM
in reply to: #3658631

User image

Veteran
179
100252525
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

College student pro-tip:  BABY SHAMPOO.

I thoroughly hand-wash my running shirts/shorts and bike bibs after every workout with some baby shampoo and cold water, and it always smells clean/odor-free.



2011-08-26 4:26 AM
in reply to: #3658631

User image

Elite
3683
20001000500100252525
Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

After every bike ride, I get in the shower and run my cycling shorts under warm water and anti bacterial soap, giving them a very quick scrub. I don't send them to the wash until every third (or so) time, though...

running clothes get washed after every run..

swim jammers, never.

2011-08-26 8:38 AM
in reply to: #3658740

User image

Pro
4828
2000200050010010010025
The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
triforce - 2011-08-25 10:56 AM

My workout clothes stink even when they come directly out of the washer. And not like BO, but like urine and melting plastic. I don't pee on myself, so this is pretty disconcerting.

I want to make the switch to merino wool one day when I can afford it. Merino does NOT hold odor (I've smelled an Icebreakers shirt that someone wore every day for a month without washing). It breathes and wicks better than tech fabric, too, and they hold up to extreme wear and tear. It would be nice to put on a clean workout shirt that doesn't stink.

Check out Costco for VERY inexpensive merino wool sweaters .

They are very similar to the Icebreaker sweaters but are only about 20$ each. I buy a couple of them every year and can attest to the fact that they are fabulous.

2011-08-26 8:39 AM
in reply to: #3658740

User image

Pro
4828
2000200050010010010025
The Land of Ice and Snow
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
Oops...DP.

Edited by aquagirl 2011-08-26 8:40 AM
2011-08-26 10:09 AM
in reply to: #3658631

User image

Master
2725
200050010010025
Washington, DC Metro
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
Very interesting, I got a lot of response to my question.  I guess there are various schools of thought on this.  I totally understand the jeans mentality, and I agree.  I guess that is why I was specifically asking about undies, socks, etc.  those things that can get a bit, shall we say, nasty during wear. 
2011-08-26 10:23 AM
in reply to: #3659112

User image

Expert
1322
1000100100100
Savannah
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?
Sous - 2011-08-25 1:24 PM

There really should be no other options than #1. 

For those who wear multiple times, do you wear your underwear, socks, bras, undershirts, pantyhose, etc. multiple times as well?  I'm referring to your regular stuff.  Do you get home from work and peel off your dress socks, fold 'em up, and put 'em back in your dresser draw for tomorrow?  I'm not trying to be snarky, I'm really curious. 

Have you ever run sockless?  Do you wash your shoes after every sockless run?  What's the difference between running sockless and using socks for more than one run?



2011-08-26 10:32 AM
in reply to: #3658631

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

I know I'm fine with people who feel they need to do more often.  For me, it depends on what my stuff has been through.  A key thing being that stuff is air dried immediately after I'm done.  If it sits on the floor, it goes in the wash because it's been bunched up and is more likely to have problems.

With some that wash everything every time, I wonder if they are also getting things like HR strap, pads in the helmet or cycling gloves every time.  Are the watches, bike seat, handle bars (especially taped areas) and elbow pads disinfected every time?  Are the shoes disinfected or deodorized each time?  I can sweat right through mine on runs.

Try using filtered water for hydration.  The sweat comes out so much cleaner that way!



Edited by brigby1 2011-08-26 10:33 AM
2011-08-26 10:37 AM
in reply to: #3658631

User image

Veteran
520
500
Chicago
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

There are some things in life that should be washed every time.  Underwear and things that actually get soiled.

I have very expensive bras that get worn out if I were to wash them after every wearing. 

I let my stuff air dry mostly and wash it every few uses.

We have this amazing organ called skin with a brilliant immune system.  Typically work out clothes contain....well....me. It's not like I'm rolling around in sewage. 

I also do not use instant hand sanitizer and I'm not afraid to sit on public toilets (as long as they are dry ).  I'm remarkably healthy....go figure.

2011-08-26 11:13 AM
in reply to: #3660632

User image

Pro
5011
5000
Twin Cities
Subject: RE: How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes?

Ding ding ding!

I ride sockless, and in nine years...my shoes have been washed all of zero times. :D

My socks get washed slightly more often.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How OFTEN do you wash your workout clothes? Rss Feed  
 
 
of 3