How to wash your sports clothing so it lasts longer and keeps its performance benefits
Orienteering is a sport lived outdoors, whatever the weather. Between the sweat of a hard race and the rain, mud and forest undergrowth of the Bohemian Forest terrain, the clothing worn by competitors and spectators alike takes a real beating. That makes proper care of functional sportswear especially relevant to everyone heading to Vyšší Brod this August – which is exactly why our partner EcoHaus has put together this short guide.
EcoHaus – proud partner of the Orienteering World Cup Czechia in Vyšší Brod
You wear sports clothing not only for racing or the gym, but also for hiking, cycling or everyday walks. Functional fabrics are designed to wick sweat away from the body, dry quickly and keep you comfortable on the move. To preserve these properties for as long as possible, the clothing needs the right care – and washing is precisely where most mistakes happen. Yet a few simple rules are all it takes for your favourite sports pieces to serve you much longer.
Why does sports clothing need different care?
Unlike ordinary cotton clothing, most sportswear is made of synthetic fibres such as polyester, polyamide or elastane. These materials are light, stretchy and able to move moisture away from the skin – but they are also more sensitive to improper care. If detergent or fabric-softener residue starts building up in the fibres, their ability to wick sweat gradually deteriorates. High temperatures and overly aggressive washing likewise shorten the life of elastic fibres.
How to wash sports clothing properly
Proper washing starts the moment you come back from training. Don’t leave sweaty clothing sealed in a sports bag or at the bottom of the laundry basket for days – a damp environment encourages the bacteria that are the most common cause of unpleasant odour. If you cannot wash right away, at least let the clothing air-dry loosely.
Before loading the machine, always check the care label. Close the zips, empty the pockets and turn the garments inside out, so the detergent reaches the places where most sweat and dirt collect, while prints and reflective elements stay protected. Delicate pieces, such as sports bras, are best washed in a protective washing bag.
In most cases it is ideal to wash sports clothing at 30–40 °C – higher temperatures can damage elastic fibres or special fabric finishes. Choose a synthetics or delicates programme with a lower spin speed, and don’t overfill the drum: clothing needs room to move freely so the detergent can reach every fibre.
Which detergent to choose?
The choice of detergent matters just as much as temperature or programme. Functional materials need neither aggressive chemistry nor large doses – overdosing actually causes residue to build up in the fibres and impair their function. For everyday washing of sportswear, EcoHaus laundry sheets are a great fit: they remove sweat and everyday dirt effectively, dissolve easily, leave no unnecessary residue and are effortless to dose – you always use exactly as much as you need. They also travel well, which competitors staying near the event all week will appreciate.
Does fabric softener belong on sportswear?
One of the most common mistakes is using classic fabric softener. It makes laundry soft and fragrant, but on functional fibres it can form a thin film that gradually limits their ability to wick moisture – the clothing dries more slowly and stops performing as designed. If you love fresh-smelling laundry, you don’t have to give it up: a gentler alternative is the EcoHaus laundry perfume, which adds a pleasant scent without coating the fibres.
How to dry sports clothing
After washing, let sports clothing dry naturally in the air. Thanks to the materials used it dries very quickly, so no tumble dryer is needed – and unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it, avoid the dryer altogether, as high temperatures shorten the life of elastic fibres. Long hours in direct sunlight are not ideal either; a well-ventilated spot works far better.
Proper care pays off
Sports clothing is designed to keep you comfortable in every movement – and with the right care it will keep its breathability, stretch and wicking ability through many more washes. Just stick to a few simple rules:
- Wash sports clothing at the recommended temperature.
- Use a gentle detergent.
- Skip the fabric softener and don’t leave sweaty clothing lying around without air.
With EcoHaus laundry sheets and the rest of the EcoHaus sports laundry range, washing stays simple and gentle on functional materials – so your gear is ready for every training run, and for race day in the forests around Vyšší Brod.
