A while back I read an article that Running Laur wrote about caring for your technical fabrics. I’ll freely admit that before that article, running clothes went in with whatever else was going in the laundry. I paid no attention to temperature and occasionally even threw things in the dryer. After reading the article, I decided to try taking care of my running clothes appropriately.
Running Laur was nice enough to send me some Sports Wash detergent. I did three loads with that and found that I did notice a small decrease in smell at the beginning of the run. To be honest though, I didn’t notice a lot of smell before I used this, but I don’t know if that’s because I don’t reek or I’m oblivious LOL.
Next I tried the Tide version. I can state unequivacobly that I did not like this detergent. It seemed to do a decent enough job cleaning, but it has febreze in it and the smell was overwhelming. As in, my laundry room and basement smelled like it for days afterwards. In fact, I only washed one load in it and the items that were washed in that load still smell like it several washes later.
Right now I’m using Win detergent, only because that’s what my local running store had in stock when I needed to find something new. This one does have a much lighter smell and I definitely am not noticing any lingering scent of sweat when I start a run. I’ve sniffed my shirt at the end of a run as well and the smell is still pretty minimal.
My biggest issue with all of the sports detergents is that I don’t feel like any of them get my clothes really clean. I apparently leave a dark ring around the collars of most of my shirts and I’m absolutely a dirt magnet. Even rubbing the detergents on full strength doesn’t remove all of the stains.
I do plan to try using a stain treatment of some type in conjunction with the special detergent and see if I get better results. I’d love to find a regimen that removes the smell AND the stains. I’ll keep you posted.
On the running front, I managed a nice 4 miler on Thursday evening. I hadn’t planned to run, but the opportunity arose, so I took it. Other than the fact that I really wanted to throw up my dinner on someone’s lawn ala Tonia, it was a nice run. My right hamstring doesn’t like me much right now, but I’m hoping that I can stretch it into submission soon.
Ooh love the post…I have started to use with my regular detergent SUPER WASHING SODA….you can check out my post on my blog about it…so great because I find it gets everything really clean and the stink out….it does not have a smell and you just use it in addition to your other soap!! Happy Washing!!http://superindi.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-favourite-things-part-4getting-stink.html
I did a post awhile back about the horrors of the Tide Febreze … I only did one load, and suffered from headaches, clogged throat, etc. for several days. It took a long time for the smell to dissipate. I've been using regular Tide, and adding a capful of white vinegar to the water. The vinegar kills the bacteria that cause the funky odors, and leaves no lingering odor. It's cheap, too 🙂
I have been searching for the best product, as I let my running clothes grow wings before getting them in the wash. I always come back to WIN, it's the only one that works, but it's hard to find. Penguin is terrible, you might as well not even wash your clothes. Good post!
I just use some white vinegar in my stinky laundry. It really helps to take out smells.
I agree with the sports detergents. I never feel like they really get' em clean.but i like commentor Ashley's idea of white vinegar..might have to try that
I just use regular old Tide. Works wonders.
I actually don't mind the Tide, but I'm a stinker, so I prefer the strong scent to sweaty armpit/crotch. hope your hamstring calms down!!
wait does Jamoosh's comment mean he DOES laundry!? A man DOES laundry!?
I love the nonchalent, "other than having to throw up on someone's lawn, it was a good run!" Excellent.Thanks for the review–I'm quite sure I don't treat my tech clothes with the TLC they deserve!
I've been using Penguin wash, but I have to be sure to rub some detergent or even just water pre wash around collars and sports bra waist bands lately. I must be getting pretty filthy recently. LOL!
Agree that Penguin is terrible. And, if you use the cap to measure, the excess drips all over the bottle (and thus the shelf) since it's not made like a regular detergent with the special top. Great suggestion on the white vinegar!
I use plain ol' Tide with a bit of the Febreeze Sport additive. It smells fresh but not overpowering and it only takes a little bit.
I need to get better about washing my workout clothes separate and with good detergent!
I use sport detergent too – I love it. It's got no scent which is important since when your clothes get all hot and sweaty the scent REALLY gets strong. Haven't tried the Tide yet, and won't now that you wrote that…
Great, I just bought the Tide stuff. I haven't tried it yet, but I can't stand that flowery 'cover-up' smell. Keep us posted on what you find, thanks!
i don't know, i've tried a number of them and they are ok when they come out..but i wear them like 10 minutes in to a run and I think it smells
Pro wash has been the best for me. I also mix in some regular detergent or use the tide stain removal tablets. It seems to do the trick.
Glad you could try a few things out! Honestly, I just use the giant jug of laundry detergent we got at Sam's months ago – but every once and a while it's nice to throw in the 'good stuff'