How to Properly Care for Your Activewear

I am either dressed like I am going to the gym, or, I am actually going to the gym! Can anyone else relate to this? I love activewear and live in it! It is also one of the reasons I partnered with ZYIA Active! Not only is the quality of the clothing AMAZING, but the company itself is also pretty incredible as well!
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When most of your wardrobe consists of workout clothes, properly caring for and maintaining them is important to ensure that they will be just as vibrant and look as new after every wash! In the long run, taking care of your activewear properly saves time and money!
Below are a few tips and tricks that will help you care for your activewear, guaranteeing the quality and longevity of your favorite sports bras, leggings, and everything in between.

A TEASPOON OF SALT

Though it may seem a bit unorthodox, adding a teaspoon of salt to your activewear the first time could set you up for the best results later. Why you ask?  hanks to the chloride in salt, the color is sealed in, which keeps clothes bright for a longer period of time and prevents color bleeding! Bonus hack: salt is also great at removing bloodstains from clothing. Never know when you may need that tip…

AVOID ADDITIVES

Avoid adding bleach or fabric softeners to your activewear. Bleach may work miracles for whites, but it can also work against you if not used properly. During the process of oxidation, bleach removes dirt and other unwanted markings by breaking up larger stain molecules into smaller ones, which then wash away. The not so good part is that bleach can ruin clothes because it also oxidizes the fabric. Leaving bleach on clothing for too long can cause holes or at least increase your odds of getting them. Your activewear is already soft enough, especially ZYIA!  Using fabric softener can ruin the fabric and elasticity of your activewear or other delicates. Avoid bleach altogether when you wash your activewear!

WASH RIGHT AWAY

It is best to wash your activewear right away, especially if you did a high-intensity workout in them. The longer you let them sit, the easier it is for bacteria to linger and leave behind an unpleasant odor on your clothes, and if they sit in your hamper for long enough, the scent may transfer to your other items.

BE GENTLE

When possible I handwash my activewear but most of us don’t actually have time for that, and that is ok! Simply set your washer to the delicates cycle before beginning. Also, be sure to remove any removable pads, strings, etc. to ensure there aren’t any mishaps. Another good rule of thumb is to place bras in a mesh bag especially for delicates. This removes the possibility of them getting caught on something.
 

SEPARATE CLOTHING

If you ignore everything else I say, please please listen to this! Wash your activewear separate from the rest of your clothing and one step further, separate your dark activewear from your white activewear. Activewear, because of its moister-wicking capabilities, it litterally will abscorb other colors for the first few washes. So be sure to turn it inside-out before washing.

COLD WATER ONLY

Another way to avoid color transfer and set in stains & odors is to wash in cold water. Cold water also prevents any shrinkage of fabrics, a common mishap of washing in warm water.
 

HANG DRY

Most activewear says you can tumble dry on low. However, the heat can reduce elasticity and alter the performance of your clothes in the long run. If you’re in a hurry or need to wear something right away, opt for low-heat to minimize the negative effects of drying. If you have time, hang dry…After you remove your clothes from the wash, hang them in a dry, well-ventilated area away from the direct sunlight, as the sun makes color fade much faster.
Any other tips you use yourself for your delicates or activewear? Comment & Share them below!