Washing a sweatshirt in a washing machine

Washing a tracksuit in a washing machine With regular training, sportswear quickly becomes dirty: a persistent smell of sweat, yellow stains and other stains appear. The situation is complicated by the specific fabric, since sweatpants are often made from certain synthetic materials. Polyester, Lycra, membrane and nylon jerseys may lose breathability, shape and elasticity if not properly cleaned.

To get rid of dirt and not spoil the item, you need to know how to wash your sweatshirt in a washing machine or by hand and with what products. Detailed instructions will help you figure it out.

Basic recommendations for caring for your sweatshirt

It is impossible to say unequivocally how to wash a sweatshirt. The final recommendations depend on the degree of contamination, the type and color of the fabric of the product - each material and shade requires special treatment. As a rule, some of the care information is provided by the manufacturer on the label.

There are several general recommendations for caring for sportswear:

wash sweatshirts separately from other things;
use special protective bags (they will prevent the appearance of pills and scratches);
do not heat the water above 40 degrees;
add only liquid detergents (powder dissolves less easily and “gets stuck” in the fabric fibers);
refuse conditioners and rinses (“breathable” fabric does not like them);
Do not bleach;
exclude artificial drying;
select medium spin speed.

After training, the sweatshirt should be washed within 24 hours, at least dried and ventilated.

It is recommended to wash your sweatpants regularly.Ideally, you should clean your clothes after every workout - within 24 hours of running or exercising. Otherwise, sweat will penetrate deep into the fibers, and it will be more difficult to remove yellow stains and unpleasant odors. Technological fabrics are not afraid of repeated washing, but strong bleaches can be harmful. It’s better not to let the situation get worse, but to constantly keep your sweatshirt clean.

Which washing method should I choose?

Most sports items are not machine washable. If there is no “Hand Wash” icon on the manufacturer’s label, then loading the item into the machine is allowed. The main thing is to follow a few rules:

select a special program “Sports” or “Sportswear” (if there are none, then the fastest mode will do);
set two or more rinses;
carefully check the pockets of the sweatshirt;

Before washing your sweatshirt, carefully read the information on the tag - on the label the manufacturer provides recommendations for caring for the product!

fasten all zippers, rivets and buttons;
turn inside out (along with the sleeves);
adjust the heating temperature and spin speed, focusing on the manufacturer’s recommendations;
Avoid bleaches and conditioners.

Using mesh laundry bags will protect your sweatshirt from snags and abrasions. The drum, which often “suffers” from material fittings and decor, will also be safe. To prevent metal elements from scratching the container, you need to turn the clothes inside out and place them in the “mesh”.

Can it be soaked?

Soaking will help to cope with the strong smell of sweat. Almost all sweatshirts made from polyester, lycra, nylon and polyamide can withstand prolonged exposure to water. You just need to follow the following instructions:

fill a basin with cold water;
dissolve white vinegar in water (in a ratio of 1 to 4);
dip the suit into the resulting solution;
wait 30-40 minutes;
rinse in warm water;
if necessary, continue cleaning.

A thirty-minute soak in a cold vinegar solution will help neutralize strong sweat odors!

You can also soak your sweatpants in the washing machine. However, before starting the cycle, you need to check the temperature set by the system: it should be less than 40 degrees. The optimal soaking time is half an hour.

What means should I use?

To effectively and gently wash sportswear, you must use liquid detergents. Washing powder does not dissolve well in cold water on an accelerated cycle, and its granules remain on the fabric: in seams and membrane pores. Even a few rinses cannot get rid of all the chemicals. As a result, after drying, the item becomes covered with white spots, and the person suffers from skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Gel products work differently. Unlike powders, they dissolve faster in both cold and hot water. What's even better is that their components are completely rinsed out of the fabric. There are also no problems with removing stains: the gel effectively cleans without damaging the reflective elements and preserving the original color of the product. The main thing is to choose a proven and safe concentrate. These include several brands.

Weasel "Active & Fresh". A budget domestic product designed specifically for sports items. Gently removes stains and leaves behind a pleasant aroma of freshness. The active formula takes care of the membrane fabric, maintains its breathability and smoothness, increasing its resistance to moisture and dust.
Tarrago Hightech Performance Wash+.The best option for sweatshirts made of waterproof and breathable fabrics. In addition to removing stains and neutralizing odors, you will be pleased with the restoration of moisture protection and improvement of the “porosity” of the material.
Dalli Fresh&Clean. A universal concentrate that attracts with its effective washing, pleasant fragrance and economical consumption. But it is difficult to find it in chain stores - you can only order it online.
Salton Sport. The shampoo is designed to clean jackets with climate membranes. The special composition carefully removes dirt without damaging the structure of the material.

To clean Olympic jerseys, special products for sportswear are chosen - gels from the brands Tarrago, Laska, Dalli, Salton, Cotico and Burti.

The brand offers a line of concentrated gels for washing sportswear made of neoprene, microfiber, membrane and polyester. Effective in cold water, economical in consumption and gentle on fibers. Contains only natural surfactants and potassium soap: without phosphates, bleaches and fragrances.
Burti Sport&Outdoor. German universal product based on keratin and silk protein. Works at low temperatures, dissolves quickly, is easy to wash off, is suitable for all types of fabric and has a softening effect. A special formula restores the fibers from the inside and returns them to their original elasticity. The gel also takes care of the washing machine, as it protects the machine from scale formation.

Air conditioners cannot be used when cleaning sportswear - such additives disrupt the porosity of the fabric, moisture removal and heat regulation. As a result, the material loses the necessary elasticity and resistance to water, wind and dust. Instead of rinse aid, it is recommended to add white vinegar to the washing machine: about 100 ml per cycle.

If an unpleasant odor remains after washing, you can neutralize the “amber” with a special spray “The Laundress Sport Spray”. The product has an antibacterial effect, with the help of which the particles of sweat remaining in the fibers are “killed” and removed from the fabric. It is enough to treat the smelly areas of the sweatshirt - under the arms, on the back and around the neck. The cleaner smells sharp and repulsive, but after a couple of minutes the fragrance disappears along with the initial “aroma”.

In addition to detergents and odor neutralizers, it is recommended to use water-repellent impregnations. For example, Tarrago Hightech Nano Protector, Tarrago Trekking Water Protector and Tarrago Trekking Oil Protector. With their help, sweatshirts acquire the properties of membrane fabrics, which is convenient when jogging: you don’t have to postpone training in the rain or snow. Treatment has a positive effect on the items themselves - such protection extends the service life of the product.

How to dry correctly?

Sports items must not only be washed properly, but also dried. First of all, it is recommended to abandon artificial drying: the membrane “does not like” high temperatures. After a dryer or radiator, the suit will lose its elasticity and breathability.

The sports jacket is dried naturally - automatic drying has a negative effect on the fabric!

It’s better to take your time and choose natural drying: how to dry an olympic jacket

find a ventilated and shaded room (ideal option is a balcony);
shake the thing;
lay out the jacket on a drying rack or hang it on a line;
wait for it to dry completely (you won’t have to wait long - synthetics dry quickly).

If necessary, the tracksuit can be ironed. But only with minimal heating of the iron and from the wrong side.Be sure to use a damp lining: gauze or cotton diaper.