Every fitness enthusiast has faced the mystery: gym clothes that stink, even after a thorough wash.

Is Polyester To Blame? 

Polyester wicks sweat away from the body, moving it to the exterior of the fabric, where it can evaporate. That is why polyester is commonly used in athletic wear, as it helps keep you dry during physical activity.

However, polyester retains odors more than other materials. Here is why.

Polyester is a synthetic polymer derived mainly from petrochemicals. It consists of long chains of repeating units with a largely non-polar structure. “Non-polar” means that it repels water. 

At the same time, non-polar substances, such as skin oils and sweat particles, are more likely to be attracted to polyester due to the “like dissolves like” principle in chemistry, where substances with similar polarity interact.
So oils and sweat compounds cling to the polyester fibers. 

Over time, these elements accumulate and become a breeding ground for bacteria, creating biofilm and producing the odor once you heat them with your body’s temperature. A study suggests that removing the odor from polyester fabrics is more difficult than from cotton.  

Gym shirts, tops, leggings, and shorts are mainly made of polyester. Each item may exhibit varying degrees of odor, influenced by factors such as location (e.g., underarms, groin, feet). If they still smell even after washing, there is a solution for you.

How do you get the workout smell out of clothes?

Laundry ENZYMES: Tailored for the task, Laundry ENZYMES is designed to eradicate body odor from polyester gym clothes in just one wash.

Here are five options for how you can use it:

We recommend skipping fabric softeners when washing the garment you want to clean from the stink. These products leave behind a thin film of lubricating chemicals on the fabric, which, while enhancing softness, also fosters a “coating effect.” This film can inadvertently trap dirt, sebum, sweat compounds, and bacteria within the fabric, leading to a resurgence of unpleasant smells in no time.

How to Store Smelly Gym Clothes?

First, if you notice B.O. from your gym clothes, wash them ASAP after wearing them. Allowing the clothes to linger, particularly in warm environments, can foster rapid bacterial proliferation.

If you can’t wash gym clothes immediately, avoid throwing them in a hamper where they’ll stay damp. Instead, hang them in a well-ventilated area until they dry out, which will prevent further bacterial growth.

Get Crotch Smell Out of Leggings And Sweatpants

Are you someone who can’t get the skink out of a specific garment, and it’s not your shirt? Here are some tips for you.

Apply Laundry ENZYMES to the crotch area of your leggings or sweatpants and leave for half an hour or so, then wash. You can also dilute 3-4 tablespoons of ENZYMES in warm water and pre-soak these items before washing.

But the better question here is how to prevent the skink from your gym pants in the first place. 

You know it’s not just sweat that makes you smell down there. The sweat, sebum, discharge, urine – they all stink. These odors mix and accumulate. While you can reduce the smell of sebum and sweat by supporting healthy flora, you can additionally wipe with this witch hazel gel, which will help you freshen up after gym without a shower. And the less smell on your groin and around your genitals, the less stinky your clothes are. 

Why Do Gym Clothes Smell Like Ammonia?

When we exercise, our body breaks down amino acids, which can produce ammonia. The odor may be more noticeable due to several factors. 

1. You might be consuming a lot of protein. When you consume protein, it gets broken down into amino acids. When the body uses amino acids for energy, it produces special compounds released with sweat. Bacteria on your skin consume these compounds and release an ammonia smell. 
2. During intense physical activity, especially if glycogen stores are depleted, the body might turn to amino acids for energy, leading to an ammonia odor.
3. Dehydration can concentrate urine, leading to a stronger ammonia smell. It can also concentrate the ammonia in sweat.

You can prevent the ammonia smell by making your sweat odorless. Here is how you do it. Step 1: Support healthy flora with WASH. Step 2: Acidify the skin and feed good bacteria with CREAM. This way, you will naturally smell better.

Struggling With Stinky Gym Shoes? 

If you’ve ever been knocked off your feet by the odor from your shoes, then you’re familiar with the “Stinky Sneaker Syndrome.” This term describes the persistent and unpleasant odor from well-worn sneakers, especially after workouts or long periods of use. 

The primary cause of the foot smell from shoes is bacteria. Your feet sweat, and bacteria consume the compounds in that sweat. Your sneakers’ dark, warm, and moist environment allows them to breed and cause more odor. These bacteria produce compounds like isovaleric acid, which has a characteristic “stinky feet” or “sour” odor and makes your sneakers stink. 

What makes the stink even worse is the synthetic materials in some shoes, which do not breathe as well as natural fibers, trapping moisture and odors inside.

How to make your sneakers smell better?

1. Remove insoles and wash them separately. You can use Laundry ENZYMES to clean them (don’t use on wool). Also, make sure to regularly replace insoles with new ones and try to opt for natural materials.
2. Let your shoes dry after each wear. Undo the laces, loose the shoe tongue, and put them in a dry and well-ventilated place.
3. You can try this trick. Freeze your shoes (put them in a plastic bag first). Cold kills bacteria, but remember to let them thaw and dry completely before wearing them. If they are still moist, they will quickly start to stink again (bacteria like moist environment, remember?).
4. Always wear clean cotton socks and wash them after each use.
5. Prevent the feet from smelling by using CREAM. Apply it before putting your shoes on, let it dry (it will take seconds), and you’re good to go. AHA and BHA in CREAM will create an unfavorable environment for the odor-causing bacteria.

How do you prevent the boxing gloves from smelling? 

Boxing gloves, made from leather or synthetic materials, are a dark, warm, moist home for stinky bacteria. 

1. Wash them, but be certain to check the manufacturer’s label. If machine washing is allowed, use a gentle cycle and cold water.
2. Air out fitness boxing gloves after every use. Do not leave them in a closed, dark environment like a gym bag.
3. Find a way to dry the inside of boxing gloves. For example, placing paper or dry tea bags in boxing gloves can do that.

Antimicrobial Textile?

Imagine workout clothes that never stink. The “stink-free” fabrics are already under research.

Historically used in the medical field to fend off viruses and infections, these fabrics have made their way into the athletic world. 

These are usually textiles treated with antimicrobials or silver ions, which can reduce bacterial growth and limit odor.

Sounds good? While many of these treatments are deemed safe for regular use, constant skin contact with these chemically treated materials, especially during intense workouts when the material rubs against the skin, might be a concern for some with skin sensitivities. 

Plus, the effect of the chemicals wears off, so in a few wears, you’ll have just a regular shirt.

Summary

1. Yes, polyester smells the most, as it attracts oil and sweat compounds that odor-causing bacteria consume.
2. Ammonia odor after a workout may be caused by consuming protein, intensive workouts, and dehydration.
3. The odor from leggings, shorts, and sweatpants is sometimes even worse due to the diversity of odors below the belt.
4. We’ve made a special product that removes body odor from the clothes.
5. Support healthy flora to smell better naturally.