Rewearing your gym clothes without washing isn't as bad for you as you might think, says study
Perhaps nothing beats getting out of sweaty workout clothes after a good exercise. But does one really need to wash their workout clothes after each workout? With the sweat and bacteria, most people would perhaps want to do that. However, a new study suggests that you might not actually need to wash your clothes after every workout session. Instead, the clothes and environment might be better off if you wash your gym clothes less often, as per The New York Post.
A French study explained that people can make their clothes last longer, save on water bills and, in turn, help the environment by reducing textile wastage and water bills by washing their active wear less often. It was advised that people should wear their gym clothes at least three times before washing them. But all of the benefits aside, many people might be worried about putting their sweaty clothes back on. So, Dr. Carolina Quintero Rodriguez, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Enterprise at RMIT University, weighed in with her recommendations and explained who can delay washing their clothes according to the climate and workout intensity.
"This recommendation stems from legitimate environmental concerns — each laundry cycle consumes significant water and energy. Frequent washing can also degrade fabrics more quickly, contributing to textile waste," she remarked. Rodriguez explained that people who perform low-intensity exercise and lean towards natural fabrics for workout clothes can gain quite a few benefits from washing their active wear less often. "Natural fibers such as cotton multiply fewer odor-causing bacteria than synthetics. So, if you wear these fabrics to exercise in, they may last a few wears before needing a wash," she elaborated.
"Low-intensity activities that generate minimal or low sweat (including gentle yoga or walking) may [also] allow for more rewears than high-intensity workouts, as bacterial proliferation correlates directly with moisture levels in fabrics." However, in other cases involving workout clothes made of synthetic fabrics and high-intensity workout routines, washing clothes less often might not work that well. High-intensity workouts or synthetic fabrics can make a person sweat a lot more, causing more bacteria to stay and grow on the clothes, leading to bad odor. People in hot and humid climates might not want to do the same either, as they might sweat more during their workout.
Other people who shouldn't avoid washing their clothes are immunocompromised people and those with a skin condition that could potentially get worse because of wearing their gym clothes without washing. "I don’t use my active wear to exercise, because I’m lazy. But I still wash it after every wear. There’s no way the fabric can withstand my sweat, grubby toddler hands and dog fur. To each their own, but pulling on activewear I’ve used without washing gives the same energy as putting on damp swimmers," Lauren, Parenting Reporter from Kidspot said while sharing her thoughts on the idea.
"I only have one sports bra that I actually like (ya know?), so sometimes if I know I’m going to Pilates two days in a row and don’t have time to wash it, I will brave two days back to back. But everything else I would change," Emily, Editor and Mum Club podcast co-host, said. "The thought of wearing something you have been sweating in is just gross to me. Also, you might be ok with being a grot, but have a think about those around you who will have to smell it throughout the whole class," Leah, Lifestyle Editor and Mum Club podcast co-host, chimed in.