How I got the funk out of my workout clothes, and my teenaged sons' stink out too!

 I have a sports bra problem. Specifically, I have a stinky sports bra, workout clothing laundry problem.

I'm not typically a smelly person (…pretty sure), but recently I noticed that even after washing, my workout clothes were a little, especially my sports bra (which was right under my nose) smelled, well, funky. Or they would smell fine right out of the wash, but as soon as I put them on and started sweating again, things got a little ripe. Ick.

Things got even worse when I went for a run, or did hot yoga. When you wear a tank top, sports bra, and leggings for an hour-long workout high heat, then drop those soaking-wet clothes in hamper until the next load of laundry, you've got a recipe for serious stench. No amount of washing with regular detergent would get the smell out. I even washed with Tide Sport, but that did nothing, other than mix the stench with a floral smell.

In addition, I'm the mom of two teen boys. If you've ever smelled teen boys, not just their workout clothes, but their every day clothes can crinkle the nose of the most loving mother!

Odor in workout clothing is most commonly caused by a buildup of sweat and bacteria from your body. Then, how you store your dirty workout clothes can also lead to additional odors—for example, leaving sweaty clothes in a closed up gym bag, locker, or hamper. (Guilty no longer).

In addition, the very qualities that keep high-performance fabrics comfortable during a workout—their ability to push water out of their fibers rather than retaining it, so you stay drier—make it harder for sudsy water in your washing machine to penetrate the fabric and pull the sweat and bacteria out.

I had to get rid of the stink, so I embarked on a quest to find the absolute best way to get workout clothes odor-free. First, some general tips from my research and own trial-and-error:

• Turn clothes inside out before washing (since the sweat, oils, and bacteria from your body accumulate on the inside of the clothes).
• Always use the sniff test before putting the garment into the dryer (although I don't dry my workout clothes, because the heat ruins the elastic/spandex material).
• Wash clothes as soon as possible after wearing (I do this now, just throw in a load a day).
• If possible, let sweaty clothes air out immediately rather than stuffing them into a plastic bag or hamper.
• Don't use more detergent than recommended or overstuff the machine, both of which make it harder for clothes to rinse clean. (In my tests, every single method did worse if I crammed too many items into one load.)

I ended up testing the list of specialty "stink be gone" detergents and boosters below (five in all).  How I did it: I tried each method or specialty detergent at least two times (most of them four or five times), always washing in warm water and hanging dry. Each load had at least one super stinky hot yoga, or hot run item in it. I sniffed everything right out of the wash and after drying, and also noted if clothes smelled worse when worn. I paired the natural methods with my usual laundry detergent, Method,  a greener brand. For the specialty detergents, I focused on brands that were also environmentally friendly.
My requirements: a liquid whole detergent (not a laundry booster), that words with my front load washing machine laundry soap tray, that gets out the stink, and is environmentally friendly. (I know, I want it all)!

Here are the brands I used, and my review of each:

OxyClean Odor Blasters: this is a laundry booster, which means it's used in addition to your regular laundry detergent. It sort of worked, but it infiltrated a strong, flowery scent to all my workout clothes, which then I started to smell while working out, and I didn't like.

Defunkify: This worked well, however, it is a powder, and doesn't work in a front load washer soap tray. However, it's HE machine compatible, and you can place a scoop of powder right in with the dirty clothes.

Biokleen BAC-OUT: This also got the skink out, but is a laundry booster, so used in addition to detergent. This is used for cloth diapers, and it is powerful, but environmentally friendly, and a liquid.

Rockin' Green Soap - Well-known for getting the stick and bacteria out of workout wear. It's a powder, so not compatible with the front loader machine soap tray. However, it's HE machine compatible, and you can place a scoop of powder right in with the dirty clothes. The directions state soaking the clothes in a bathtub first, before washing. This is not feasible in my busy lifestyle.

FunkAway: another laundry booster (but my favorite). Priced well, de-stinks, and is a liquid! It has a very mild, fresh, clean pleasing scent. However, I have to use it in addition to detergent.

I couldn't find one that met all my requirements, but I'll keep getting the FunkAway for the price and effectiveness along with my Method detergent.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind when washing workout wear:
Using too much detergent is probably the biggest mistake people make when it comes to laundry, and if there’s one place where I can encourage you to kick the habit, it’s when washing sweaty, smelly exercise apparel. Using more detergent won’t leave your clothes cleaner; instead, it leaves a buildup of soap residue that traps odors in clothes after going through the wash.

Use a laundry booster or sports detergent (from my list above).
Boosters are used in laundry in addition to regular detergent. For eliminating odor, you can try adding a quarter-cup to a half-cup — again, depending on load size — of white vinegar or baking soda to the wash.

Wash like fabrics together.
Avoid washing athletic gear, especially if it has stretch in it, with towels, fleece and other linty items, as well as with very heavy garments, like jeans and sweatshirts. Athletic clothes with stretch in them will pick up stray lint in the wash, and heavy items can lead to pilling and damage to more delicate athleisure-wear.

No fabric softener
Fabric softener leaves a coating on clothing that can lead to odor retention, even in clean laundry. That coating, especially when it builds up, makes it harder for water and detergent to fully penetrate the fibers, trapping odor-causing bacteria.

Avoid heat
Elastic clothing doesn’t love being exposed to high heat, and that heat will also amplify odors. Wash workout clothes in cold water, stick with the low- or no-heat dryer setting or, better yet, allow exercise clothes to air dry.

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10 must have items for a fitter you!

I get lots of questions about the "one thing" I feel you should have at all times to stay on track. That's a tough one to answer, because I don't have just "one thing." So I thought about it, and made a list of the 10 things I just can't live without!

 10. Good workout clothing
This is worth the investment. I would rather have a few nice pieces than lot’s of inexpensive one. Having clothes that wick sweat away, wash well, don’t hold odor and fit well can make your workouts more comfortable and appealing. If you are working out with the right intensity you DO need good support and clothing that will wick sweat. One brand that I LOVE is Lululemon. It is pricey, but the clothes fit well, support, wash well and hold up for years. I get Lululemon when I want to splurge. Slightly less expensive is Fabletics, and for much more budget friendly workout clothes, I go to Target.

9. Headbands

I can't stand to have hair in my face while I workout. It gets it my eyes during a run, it gets sweaty, then sticks to my face, and I keep having to brush it away! Having my hair off and away from my face is a must for a good workout! My favorite two brands are Bolder Bands (guaranteed to stay on your head), and Under Armor ones, which I buy at a discount at T.J. Maxx.

8. Sunblock and self-tanner
Self-tanner is my ‘secret’ for that healthy glow. I am 45, but I don’t feel it. I NEVER leave the house without a solid SPF. I use a physical blocker spf 45 on my face always- even on cloudy day. That said, I am guilty of loving the LOOK of a tan. Since I do NOT go unprotected in the real sun, I have discovered some self tanners do not turn orange, as well as some body bronzers. A healthy looking glow can make you look and feel leaner which ultimately gives you more confidence. More confidence makes me want to push myself harder so YES my faux healthy glow helps me with that I love. My favorite self-tanner is ULTA brand spray, light to medium.

7. A good cooler, and portable containers
I typically like to grocery shop and prepare my food for the week on Sundays. For the week, when I'm at my office Monday through Friday, I will divide my meals into equal containers that I can pop into cooler. I used to carry around glass portable containers in my cooler, but they got heavy! If it's a salad, or a meal I know I will not be heating up, then I will pack it in plastic containers. However, If I'm going to heat up the meal in the microwave at work, then I pack it in glass. My favorite cooler is the Fit & Fresh Jaxx FitPak Meal Prep Bag and Container Set.

6. Energy: Natural caffeine
Even the most healthy diets can still have you in an afternoon slump. Or maybe you need a little extra oomph before your morning workout. Some of you may NOT agree with caffeine, but I personally am a fan of green tea and a healthy pick me up. For days that I feel especially tired and I need to focus and I want a hard workout I LOVE my Energize. It's part of the Beachbody Performance line! It is natural, and does not have harmful ingredients that fat burners have. It's made with beta-alanine, low-dose caffeine, and quercetin. Energize helps me work harder for longer, whether I'm running, doing a 21 Day Fix Extreme workout, or a lower impact workout like PiYo.

5. GREAT music on my iPhone
Nothing gets me more in the mood to workout then new music! IPods have become increasingly inexpensive and small. You can download music inexpensively and load up your favorite tunes. Or, I just keep all my playlists and music on my phone.

4. Shakeology

It's an ideal stabilizer! It's a nutritious meal replacement, all natural, non-GMO, organic, and helps curb hunger, and add some fiber, protein and healthy fat in an instant! I can take it anywhere and even add fruit, extracts, vegetables, nuts and nut butters, or anything else I want to make a new recipe! For some Shakeology ideas and recipes, click HERE.

3. Protein bars and Protein filled snacks
I aim for real foods but protein bars help me in binds. I stock my purse, gym bag and car with these and they will do when traveling, stuck in traffic, or just craving something with more of a cookie texture. The think with protein bars if you need to be careful as many are utter garbage and have no better nutritional value than a candy bar! Choose bars that you can define the ingredients.

2. My high powered blender

I have Vitamix 5300 Blender, Black  and I love it. I am all about convenience and my vitamix allows for that. I use it mostly for quick meals. I am an expert at making a smoothie for meal! I have frozen fruit in my freezer at all time and tossing that , a scoop of protein powder and some healthy fat (like a nut butter) make a filling healthy meal QUICKLY. AND I whip up my Shakeology in it!

1. My water bottles Proper hydration is important for so many reasons but it is easy to forget to drink water all day long. I LOVE my stainless steel water bottles – they stay cold, are inexpensive, and come in fun colors and patterns. I carry it with me all day long. Having it by my side is an instant reminder to drink more water!

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