Activewear technology is a beautiful thing. Sweat-wicking fabrics keep us feeling fresher than ever, so we don't have to sit in our own sweat; moisture is drawn out to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate, leaving us feeling cool and dry sometimes mere minutes after a sweaty hot yoga or cycling session. But the operative word here is moisture, not bacteria. You might feel dry, but it doesn't mean you're clean. Even if the fabric in your pants or activewear is antimicrobial, you need to make sure you're washing your clothes after every single workout.
Here's what happens: you work out in your favorite yoga pants. The pants dry quickly, and you forget about the sweatiness as you head to brunch or lunch, and then go on with the rest of your day. These pants are slimming and athleisure is trendy and acceptable outside of the gym, so you keep 'em on. After all, you feel fine! You strip down at the end of the day, and fold the pants back up, because they feel dry and you're just going to sweat in them again anyway . . . right?
The next time you wear them, though, your neighbors are in for a surprise. You might not notice, but the heat and sweat will reactivate the dormant bacteria, causing a particularly foul stench that may be undetectable to you as the wearer. There's a reason gyms and boutique studios (SoulCycle, for instance) have rules about laundry and fresh clothes — people don't realize that their clothes are smelling, and it can create an entirely unpleasant experience for nearby classmates.
Then there's another factor: you are washing your clothes, but the smell won't budge. What's up with that? Did you leave them unwashed for too long? Is your detergent working? In some unfortunate cases, there can be a rebloom of odors that don't come out in the wash. Delightful.
So what can you do? HOW CAN WE SMELL CLEAN AGAIN!? There are simple ways to effectively prevent and combat odor, stay clean, and feel fresh for every workout. Here's what we'd suggest (heads-up: get used to doing more laundry!).