Detergent for workout clothes?

heybabe

Our exercise clothes (specifically, H's cycling gear) have a bit of a funk to them. That recently washed, but low level funky smell. Part of it might be that our oldest has sensitive skin so we use fragrance/dye free laundry detergent. It's fine for normal clothes, but it's not doing the job on workout clothes. Anybody use an he detergent specifically for technical exercise gear? We could just get regular scented detergent, but since it's just our exercise clothes, thought I'd ask about the "specialty" detergent.

Joenali

Sometimes I throw in some vinegar and baking soda and it seems to get out the smell.

GRKaters

We use Penguin Sport Wash, in an orange bottle, for our running/yoga gear.

heybabe

Joenali:

Sometimes I throw in some vinegar and baking soda and it seems to get out the smell.

Do you just use the baking powder like you would detergent, ie put it in the detergent dispenser drawer thingy?

Sadlebred

I use 1/4 cup of white vinegar in every load of laundry I do to get rid of the stink. I also use fragrance free detergent. The vinegar washes out, and you will never smell it. Plus, you can buy half a gallon for about $2.50; it's cheap.

You could also use a detergent made specifically for technical clothing like WIN. I've seen it at bike shops, REI, and my local Publix.  Your grocery store may be able to special order it for you.

Joenali

heybabe:

Joenali:

Sometimes I throw in some vinegar and baking soda and it seems to get out the smell.

Do you just use the baking powder like you would detergent, ie put it in the detergent dispenser drawer thingy?

I just throw it in where the clothes are. I never put detergent in the dispenser.

gt7301b

White vinegar user signing in.

aswartzw

Another vinegar user.

You can also use a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil to help cut the odor.  I just toss it in with the vinegar rinse.

heybabe

Ok, I think I'll try the vinegar & maybe baking powder & see how that goes before going the specialty detergent route. Thanks!

shorty20

I use white vinegar too, and if my stuff is really funky I'll let it soak for awhile.  It really seems to work well.

steeser03

We use the Tide for Sport Clothes. Its a bit pricey, but works well.

MommaInTheSouth

I recently dumped some oxy-clean into a load and it really helped.  I use white vinegar a lot but it wasn't cutting through the funk so I tried the oxy-clean.  I wasn't expecting much but it did help.  

AGsWife

I use Sport Suds and really like them.

aswartzw

heybabe:

Ok, I think I'll try the vinegar & maybe baking powder & see how that goes before going the specialty detergent route. Thanks!

Baking soda and baking powder are not the same.  Oxiclean is the same as adding baking soda.  Do not use baking powder.

The essential oils I listed will cut through anything funk that vinegar won't as well as disinfect. 

kat.in.the.hat

I started making my own detergent recently and was really pleasantly surprised how much better it took the funk out of our workout clothes than my regular All Free & Clear did

mrs.jacinthe

I use BioKleen concentrate once a month in a load of workout clothes (and also wash my spinning gear - gloves, seat cover, and shoe insoles) ... I just put it in where the fabric softener goes.  No stinky gear here.

sm

I've been using the Tide Sport, and been very happy.  I was skeptical, because I usually think that kind of stuff is gimicky, but it works well.  

spinningchicken

I use the vinegar also- not just for workout clothes, but in most of my loads. My LO has sensitive skin also so we use a pure detergent and it just doesn't work on some of my workout stuff.

I tried Tide Sport, but it left funky stains on some of my clothes. I kept cutting down the amount I was using, but it still kept doing it.