How to Wash Running Clothes: 4 Steps to Remove Smell from Running Clothes

 Before you throw them in the trash, consider the following cleaning steps to remove even the worst smelling running shirt, sports bras and shorts.

1.  First, prewash or “quick wash” your stinky running clothes in cold water with 1 cup of white vinegar and water mixture to kill the bacteria (the cause of the odor) which will help maintain the integrity of the material. Turn you clothes inside out and use a small load to get the best results. This step is not necessary every single time because the vinegar does such a good job removing the odor from the fibers.  
2. Once the first round is complete, keep the water temperature on cold and change the cycle to regular wash.
3. Toss regular washing detergent (no bleach) and 1 cup of baking soda into the machine and let the washer do its work. Don’t using regular fabric softener because the coating can make fabric’s less odor resistant and prevent it from wicking sweat.
4. When the wash is finished, hang your clothes dry in the sun or on a drying rack. The sun’s rays acts as a natural bacteria deterrent and will helping to keep your running apparel fresh. A hot dryer can reduce the effectiveness and degrade sweat-wicking or water repellent properties. But, if you must use a dryer, place the temperature on the lowest setting possible.

Tip: If you are unable to wash immediately after a run, hang your running clothes out to air dry. Sweaty running clothes piled up too long can actually trap mold and mild spores in the fabric—even after cleaning!