Your activewear works hard — and so do the fabrics it's made from. High-performance materials like nylon, spandex, and polyester blends are engineered to move with you, wick sweat, and hold their shape through hundreds of workouts. But one wrong wash cycle can undo all of that: fibres break down, colours fade, and that perfect fit turns baggy and worn.
Good news: keeping your HEY HONEY pieces fresh and long-lasting doesn't require special equipment — just a few simple habits. Here's everything you need to know about washing activewear the right way.
Why Activewear Needs Different Care Than Regular Clothes
Technical fabrics have a different structure than cotton or denim. The elastane fibres that give leggings their stretch and the moisture-wicking finish on sports bras are delicate — both heat and harsh detergents break them down over time. That's why your regular laundry routine isn't always the right approach for performance wear.
Sweat also introduces bacteria and body oils that bond to synthetic fibres differently than to natural ones. This is why activewear can develop persistent odour even after washing — especially when fabric softener is involved (more on that below).
The good news: once you understand what your activewear actually needs, caring for it becomes second nature. Your sports bras and leggings will thank you — and they'll last twice as long.
The Golden Rules for Washing Activewear
Always wash in cold water
Heat is the number one enemy of performance fabrics. Cold water (30°C or below) cleans effectively without breaking down the elastane fibres that give your leggings their stretch or damaging the moisture-wicking coatings on your sports bras. Hot water causes permanent stretching and fading.
Use a gentle, sport-specific detergent
Regular detergent often contains brighteners, enzymes, and perfume compounds that can coat technical fibres and lock in odour rather than remove it. A detergent designed for sportswear — or a simple, fragrance-free gentle detergent — does a better job at lower concentrations.
Never use fabric softener
Fabric softener coats the fibres of your activewear and clogs the moisture-wicking properties that make it perform. It also traps sweat residue, creating the conditions for that stubborn post-wash gym smell. Skip it completely for all technical pieces.
Turn your pieces inside out
Most wear on activewear fabrics happens during the wash cycle — friction against other garments. Turning pieces inside out protects the outer surface and ensures the sweat-contacting inner layer gets the most direct cleaning.
Use a mesh laundry bag
A mesh bag protects bra clasps from snagging, prevents straps from tangling, and reduces friction in the drum. It's especially helpful for padded sports bras.
Select a gentle or delicate cycle
High spin speeds and aggressive agitation put unnecessary stress on elastane fibres. A gentle or delicate cycle with a low spin is all your activewear needs.
How to Wash Sports Bras
Sports bras deserve extra attention — they're the most technically constructed piece of activewear and often contain foam padding, underwire-free support structures, and multi-layer fabrics. Follow these steps to keep them in shape:
Hand wash when possible
For padded sports bras, hand washing is the gentlest option. Fill a basin with cold water and a small amount of sport detergent, submerge the bra, and gently work the fabric for 1–2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly until no detergent remains.
Machine wash on delicate in a mesh bag
If machine washing, always use a mesh laundry bag and a delicate cycle at 30°C or below. Never wash sports bras with heavy items like jeans or towels — the friction and weight damage the fabric and padding.
Reshape while wet and air dry
After washing, gently squeeze (never wring) the bra and reshape the cups if padded. Lay flat or hang to air dry away from direct sunlight. Never put a sports bra in the tumble dryer — heat destroys the foam padding and breaks down elastic support.
Looking for sports bras that hold up wash after wash? Browse our HEY HONEY sports bras — built with premium fabrics designed to last.
How to Wash Leggings the Right Way
Leggings are the workhorse of any activewear wardrobe — worn for everything from HIIT to errands. Here's how to keep them looking sharp and fitting perfectly after every wash:
Wash after every wear
Unlike jeans, leggings should be washed after each use. Sweat and skin oils break down the elastane fibres if left to sit, and they create conditions for bacterial growth and odour. A quick cold wash after every workout keeps your leggings fresh and extends their life.
Avoid the dryer
Tumble drying is the fastest way to shrink leggings and destroy their stretch. Air dry always — either flat or hanging. They dry fast on a drying rack at room temperature.
Don't fight smells with hotter water
If your leggings smell even after washing, the fix isn't hotter water or more detergent. Try soaking them in cold water with a splash of white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing — vinegar neutralises the bacteria causing the smell without damaging the fibres.
Not sure which leggings are right for your workouts? Our guide to high-waist vs. mid-waist leggings breaks down the key differences.
Common Mistakes That Ruin Your Activewear
Leaving sweaty clothes in your gym bag
The longer sweat sits on technical fabrics, the harder it is to remove — and the more damage it causes. If you can't wash immediately, take your activewear out of your bag and let it air out until you can get it in the wash.
Washing with jeans or towels
Heavy fabrics with rough textures create friction that pills and wears down the surface of activewear. Wash activewear together, or use a mesh bag to isolate delicate pieces.
Using too much detergent
More detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes — it means residue trapped in the fibres, which causes stiffness, smell, and reduced stretch over time. Use half the recommended amount for activewear.
Ironing or dry cleaning
Neither heat nor dry cleaning solvents are suitable for performance fabrics. If your activewear needs de-wrinkling, simply hang it in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes.
Shop activewear designed for real life — and built to last.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Activewear
Can you put activewear in the dryer?
No — tumble drying is one of the most damaging things you can do to activewear. Heat breaks down elastane fibres, causes shrinkage, and destroys moisture-wicking coatings. Always air dry your leggings, sports bras, and other performance pieces, either flat or on a hanger, away from direct sunlight.
Why does my activewear still smell after washing?
Persistent odour in activewear is usually caused by bacteria trapped in synthetic fibres — often made worse by fabric softener, which coats the fibres and seals in odour. The fix: skip fabric softener completely, use a sport-specific detergent, and try soaking smelly pieces in cold water with a splash of white vinegar for 30 minutes before washing.
How often should you wash activewear?
Leggings and sports bras should be washed after every wear — sweat and skin oils start breaking down the fibres if left to sit. Hoodies and jackets worn only over clean base layers can be washed every 3–5 wears depending on how much you sweat.
What temperature should you wash sports clothes?
Always wash activewear in cold water — 30°C or below. Cold water cleans effectively without damaging elastane fibres, fading colours, or breaking down moisture-wicking coatings. Hotter temperatures don't clean better; they just cause more damage.
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