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It can be hard enough to find the time to work out — do you really also have to find the time to hand wash your gym clothes afterward? That’s a question that divides fitness fanatics and laundry obsessives alike. Some swear hand washing is the only way to make your leggings and moisture-wicking tees last longer and smell good, while others say throwing them in a washing machine is totally fine. But there may be something to the former’s longevity argument.

“Many workout clothes are made of delicate synthetic materials, which can lose their shape or start to degrade if washed in too warm water or thrown about too vigorously in a machine,” says Sara Aparacio, resident cleaning expert and spokesperson for Homeaglow, a cleaning service.

But does that mean hand washing is really the only way to wash your workout gear? I talked to Aparacio and Ashley Torres, cleaning expert and team leader at Karen’s Green Maids, an LGBTQ-led green cleaning company to find out the truth.

Should you hand wash your workout clothes?

The good news: for most of your workout wardrobe, the machine is likely fine. “Honestly, for your daily leggings, bike shorts and tees, cold water on the delicate cycle will likely suffice,” says Torres. “The times I do choose to hand wash items is when they are the ones where the stretch is absolutely vital, sports bras with molded cups and any item with mesh. Hot water and a rougher cycle is the downfall of stretch,” Torres says.

If you’re really unsure, you can always check the label on your clothes before you do anything else. “Generally, it’s best to follow the care instructions on the tag,” says Aparacio.

The best products for washing workout clothes

Every product on this list has been tested (and recommended) by NBC Selected staff and/or has a four-star average rating from 5,000 or more shoppers at Amazon.

My husband’s running clothes are pretty stinky after he logs miles, and this detergent has been great at eliminating that stench. Formulated specifically for sweat-soaked synthetic fabrics, it cuts through built-up bacteria that regular detergent tends to leave behind, so his gear actually smells clean again — not just masked in a cloying scent.

This Dirty Labs Detergent is versatile enough for however you choose to clean your workout gear. Whether you’re soaking items in the sink or running them on your machine’s delicate cycle, this hyper-concentrated, biodegradable formula gently cleans without breaking down stretchy fabrics — making it a smart pick for any method.

Experts say that if you’re machine washing sports bras, putting them in a laundry bag can help protect them. These bags are big enough for tank tops and other small items with delicate details that could get damaged from being thrown around a machine.

This Amazon Basics drying rack offers plenty of slots to lay out sports bras, leggings and tees so they dry evenly without stretching in the dryer. When you’re done, it folds down compactly for easy storage, making it a practical pick for small homes or apartments without extra room to spare.

How to wash your workout clothes

Whichever method you land on, both experts had plenty of practical advice for actually getting the job done right. I spoke with Aparacio and Torres about their best tips for washing workout clothes whether you are hand washing or using a machine.

If you are hand washing, follow this guidance:

• Turn clothing inside out: “Always turn the clothing inside out, since the main things you’re looking to clean with sportswear are your own body oils and sweat,” says Aparacio. “So turn the clothing inside out so that the areas that come into contact with your body the most are cleaned the most.”
• Make sure clothing is dry: “If I am hand washing, I always make sure my dirty workout clothes are dry before I wash them,” says Aparacio. “It sounds odd, but this helps prevent pockets of bacteria or mold from lingering during the wash and actually helps many sportswear fabrics absorb the detergent properly.”
• Pick the right detergent: Both experts suggest choosing a detergent that is either labeled as gentle or for delicates or says it is specifically for hand washing. Then, you really only need about a teaspoon of detergent for it to be effective, says Aparacio.
• Soak your clothes: Fill the basin of your sink (or tub) with cold water (hot water can degrade delicate clothes), add the detergent and let your items soak for up to 30 minutes — this helps the detergent penetrate so it can really tackle that bacteria and odor, says Aparacio.
• Rinse carefully: After your clothes have soaked, drain the water and rinse them out with more cold water. Go easy when it comes to wringing them out, as that twisting motion can degrade the fabric, says Aparacio. Instead, she suggests folding the items and then pressing down on them to remove as much water as possible.
• Hang them to dry: To dry your clothing, lay them flat on a drying rack or on top of a towel, says Torres.

If you’re using a washing machine, these tips will help:

• Check the care instructions: Again, both Torres and Aparacio say that the best thing to do is to follow the care instructions on the tag of your item. This should give you an idea of what cycle to run on your washing machine. Mostly likely, workout items will suggest the delicate cycle.
• Wash workout clothes solo: If you’re washing odorous gym gear alongside your regular clothes, that smell could transfer. To be safe, it’s worth washing your workout clothes separately from the rest of your laundry, or at least in a load with other similarly smelly items, rather than mixing them in with things like sheets or everyday outfits.
• Prep your items: If you are machine washing, turning your items inside out is still a good idea. Not only does this expose the parts that most need cleaning to the detergent and water, it can protect things like trim and other delicate details. You should also zip any zippers on clothing so they don’t catch on other items. Finally, if you are washing a sports bra, consider putting it in a laundry bag for further protection, says Torres.
• Pick the right detergent: Similar to handwashing, experts suggest using a mild or gentle detergent on your workout clothes. There are also a number of detergents on the market specifically for workout clothing — in liquid and powder formulas — which are a good option if odor is something you struggle with.
• Skip the fabric softener: Both experts I spoke with say you should never use fabric softener on workout clothing. “The layer of ‘softness’ can trap odors and bacteria and even block the pores designed into the fabric to help with moisture wicking,” says Aparacio.
• Don’t let wet clothes sit: As soon as the wash cycle is finished, take your clothing out to dry it. Letting wet clothing sit for long periods of time can lead to bacteria growth and odor.
• Dry as instructed: Again, look at the label. Some items may direct you to tumble dry them on low, while others may suggest hang drying only. If it is the latter, laying them on a drying rack or towel will work.

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Meet our laundry experts

At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Sara Aparacio is the resident cleaning expert and spokesperson for Homeaglow, a cleaning service.
• Ashley Torres is a cleaning expert and team leader at Karen’s Green Maids, an LGBTQ-led green cleaning company in Chicago.

Why trust NBC Selected?

I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, home and lifestyle. I have written about the best wide toe box shoes, moisture-wicking socks and more. For this story, I spoke with two laundry experts on how to best wash your workout clothes.