How To Clean Activewear in 15 Minutes

What better workout inspiration is there than a super cute workout outfit? (We’ll answer that for you: There is none.) But no matter how chic your look is, a good workout will always leave your athleticwear sweaty, smelly, and in need of a cleansing routine with a little bit of muscle. So we turned to our #fitspo Sophie Jaffe, who never misses a day of physical activity, for how to keep sports bras, workout tops, leggings, and even sneakers, super clean. This is her ultra-effective 15-minute routine. 

Every single morning, I rely on an elevated morning routine to ground me and “fill my cup” so I can be the best person I can be, manifest gratitude, and find my presence. Here’s what that looks like for me: 

I’m not me if I don’t sweat and move my body daily. This is usually done in the mornings when I feel the most invigorated and motivated. It’s also the time when I have the least distractions so I can truly give to myself. Most days this looks like a long neighborhood walk or jog with my daughter Noa in my favorite athletic gear. Other days it’s a quick HIT yoga flow under the California sunshine in my backyard, followed by a jump in our saltwater pool. After, I tidy my home and get ready for whatever the day has in store. Most days, I like to get a jumpstart on housework or laundry, which, let’s be honest—is mostly all leggings and yoga pants. You can never have too much!

When you move and sweat as much as I do, the laundry can pile up, especially athleticwear! It’s important for me to use products I 100% trust and not only do their jobs but aren’t harmful to me or my family, either. That’s why I’m so happy to have found The Laundress. Eco-friendly, simple, and GORGEOUS products like The Laundress’s line of detergent, fabric care, and home cleaning are so important for keeping your clothes and home clean, fresh, and in good condition. 

MY ATHLETICWEAR LAUNDRY ROUTINE

Here’s how I clean and refresh my athleticwear with The Laundress products. I’ve been using this method for years and my pieces look as good as the day I bought them:

First, I use the Wash & Stain Bar on areas where stains accumulate from sweat, sunscreen, and deodorant (like beneath armpits and near the chest). Lather the bar with cool to warm water and gently work it into the material. If any residue or oil is left behind you can add a drop of Stain Solution and work in with the Stain Brush to really get in there. Repeat as needed.

To eliminate odor from those serious sweat sessions, I use this trick before washing them. I’ll add ¼ capful of Scented Vinegar to a washbin or tub and let my athleticwear (especially my sports bras!) soak for up to 30 minutes. The Scented Vinegar is amazing because it has all the same cleaning properties of regular vinegar but contains calming essential oils that counteract the strong smell. 

When I’m done pretreating, I separate my athleticwear like leggings, workout tops, and sports bras and do them together in one load. First, I place sports bras and small items in Mesh Bags to protect them from snagging in the washing machine. Then I select the normal cycle with cool to warm water and use Sport Detergent. It was made specifically to clean and preserve high-performance, moisture-wicking fabrics like activewear and swimwear and I love that it also helps these items maintain their shapes.  When the wash is done, I hang my pieces because putting them in the dryer can compromise the structure of athleticwear. I lay them flat in their natural shapes on a drying rack.

For items that can’t be laundered such as spin shoes, helmets, yoga mats, and gym bags, I give them a good spray-down with The Laundress Sport Spray. With natural antibacterial properties, the formula helps freshen and banish odors in seconds!

And that’s it! I hope that you’re able to pull some inspiration (and tips!) from my morning and laundry routines. Both regimes have really helped to destress and structure my day-to-day and I know they’ll do the same for you.