A question of sweat - sorry! 😖

[Celeriac]

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips about washing running gear? It's a TMI question I know but after wearing a running top a few weeks I'm finding I can't get rid of the ingrained sweat smell. Even when it comes out of the wash there is a hint of it. I'm finding I'm having to throw them out every few months and I keep buying new ones. I actually quite like buying new ones 😉 but it seems a bit of an indulgence and the cost mounts up.

Am I an uber sweater?! Or do other people have the same problem? Is there a secret to stop the problem? I'd appreciate any tips and I know, it's not a beautiful topic - sorry!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

All runners sweat, it's natural to do that, perhaps you should set the washing machine at a higher setting and the running clothes will not have that sweaty feel on them after they are washed.

[Celeriac in reply to AlMorr]

I normally wash everything at 40 degrees. Some running stuff says 30 on it. I'm worried I'll shrink them but I could give it a go, especially if I'm chucking things away anyway!

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to Celeriac]

O the joys of running 🏃🏾 😀

[Celeriac in reply to AlMorr]

Indeed!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

i have read other posts similar to this about tainted laundry. Have you tried doing a search on here - though not sure what search you would enter! Hopefully someone more helpful than me will be along with an answer very soon.

[Celeriac in reply to linda9389]

Thanks Linda. I haven't searched actually and I should have thought of that. I'll have a look now...

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Celeriac]

I wash mine after each run! As soon as possible afterwards.

Halo is a sports wash from Sainsbury’s. Designed to deal with sweat and break down the bacteria at 30 degrees It smells lovely 🙂

I peg them out on the line to give em a good blow I air them indoors to finish em off and don’t put them away til they’re properly dry

[Celeriac in reply to misswobble]

Thanks for the tip on Halo. I will have a look for that. I do wash my stuff after each run but not always straight away, sometimes it goes in the basket. Maybe I should wash it even if I don't have much else.

Thanks.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Celeriac]

I forgot to say, that fabric softener is a no-no as it apparently makes our running gear more inclined to stink 🙂

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to misswobble]

Another halo supporter here after misswobble recommendation som time ago, or I use ecover wash liquid. I also do them on a 30c delicates wash straight away. It’s a short programme.

Conditioner will also stop the wicking properties so is definitely a no no.

[Celeriac in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks, I've definitely seen/smelt an improvement since using the halo and also putting gear straight into soak when I get back. I don't use fabric conditioner anymore which I was doing before. Def a lot better now.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Celeriac]

👍

[SlowLoris]

When it’s warm I chuck all my kit straight in to soak straight away. If there’s no full load ready for the machine I just put the running kit through a 15 minute quick wash.

[Celeriac in reply to SlowLoris]

That sounds like a good idea to put it to soak straight away. Mine sometimes goes in the laundry basket which is prob not a great idea!

Thanks

[HeavyFoot Half Marathon]

For the moment, call it your social distancing range?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to HeavyFoot]

😆😆😆

[Celeriac in reply to HeavyFoot]

Haha! I like that. People will def stay away! 😷

[AgingMetalHead]

I wash mine at 30 degrees but inside out which usually works. But occasionally my wife tells me it still smells then she washes it again for me! 2nd wash (also inside out) always does the trick. Still have my original running tops from two years ago when I was doing C25K and all are still good.

[Celeriac in reply to AgingMetalHead]

Inside out - I've never tried that. These are all great tips. And even 2 washes, OK. If you still have gear from 2 years ago it must be working, I'll try it. Thanks!

[Hidden]

I am a fan of halo for my sports kit. If I wash with normal detergent there is that hint of sweaty pits. With halo it comes out smelling fresh every time. I also use it for washing towels etc too.

[Celeriac in reply to Hidden]

I'm going to try Halo. Seems like it's quite popular. It's on the shopping list!

Thanks for the tip.

[misswobble Marathon in reply to Celeriac]

I can only find it in Sainsbury’s

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to misswobble]

I bought mine online - wiggle I think.

[Pete1w]

I don't care if I stink 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Langley-Loper Half Marathon]

Another vote for Halo sports wash from me. Sainsbury's sell it. I wash at 40 degrees and always try to dry outside if possible. I find it doesn't keep discolouration in the armpits away but it does deal with the smell. In the interests of economy and environmental friendliness, my kit sits in the laundry bin until I have enough for a machine load - could be several days. I'm not an eco-warrior but chucking kit away and re-buying is not great! Some of my kit is 3+ years old and worn regularly, still going strong.

[Celeriac in reply to Langley-Loper]

I'll give halo a try then. I agree about throwing away stuff, it doesn't feel very good and thought there must be a better way!

Thanks

[TailChaser Marathon]

As someone who has to squeeze her clothes out after each run at the moment (sorry, possibly tmi...😷😱🤢 ) I can highly recommend adding Dettol Laundry Cleanser and Sanitiser to the 30 degree wash. I've been using it for about a year now and it definitely helps keep the newer clothing smelling newer. It doesn't seem to work retrospectively, which is a shame, but at least it works. It's been a bit tricky to get over lockdown but there are various different versions of it and there is usually one available.

[Celeriac in reply to TailChaser]

Brilliant. Thanks ever so much, will give the Dettol stuff a go! Thanks for the recommendation. 👍

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to Celeriac]

Glad I can help. Anything that helps running clothes last longer is worth it 👍

[limberlou Half Marathon]

I use Bold liquid with Febreze and that’s seems to keep my running gear smell free