I have a fairly active lifestyle that involves frequent running, hiking and sports. A persistent problem I’ve had is that my workout and active wear has a perpetual sweaty smell, even after laundry. 

Many people experience the same issue, even with their workwear. A sweaty or BO smell persists after washing. There are multiple potential causes of this including the type of clothes, your laundry process and the washing machine. Here’s how to figure out what’s making your clothes smell after washing and how to fix it.

Why Your Clothes Smell Even After Washing: 3 Possible Causes

The Type of Fabric

Some types of fabrics, specifically synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester, tend to smell more than others. This is part of the reason gym and workout clothes stink. 

It’s not just because you sweat a lot when working out; it’s also because the synthetic fabrics hold onto that smell more compared to natural fabrics like cotton and wool. On the upside synthetic fabrics dry quickly when you sweat. 

The odor in these synthetic fabrics can be so strong that it refuses to go away even after washing. Like me, you may have noticed that your workout clothes have a permanent sweat smell.

Not Washing Them the Right Way 

Another common cause of smelly clothes is how you do your laundry. Laundry is a science and many people get it wrong. Common laundry mistakes that can leave your clean clothes still smelly include: 

• Overloading the washing machine, which prevents clothes from getting fully clean. 
• Using too much detergent. Excessive detergent and fabric softener leaves a residue on your clothes that traps odors. 
• Leaving your clothes in the laundry basket for too long before washing. Sweaty odors intensify and new musty odors develop especially if the clothes were damp with sweat. 
• Not letting clothes dry completely. If you put away laundry that’s even slightly damp, it will get musty and can even spread the smell to fresh clothes. 

Your Washing Machine

The other common culprit behind smelly laundry is the washing machine itself. If you’ve not deep cleaned your washer in a long time, it can cause your laundry to smell. 

Lots of gunk, mold, bacteria and soap residue build up inside the washing machine, which not only causes smelly clothes, but also affects how clean your laundry gets. 

How to Ensure Your Laundry Smells Fresh 

1. Wear Odor-resistant Clothes 

If your clothes still smell no matter how much you clean your washing machine or change how you do laundry, the problem could be the clothes themselves.

The best solution is to change what you wear, particularly when doing something active like hiking or jogging. You can find activewear that’s resistant to odors. Some clothes like the Hercleon HercShirt t-shirt are able to resist almost all odors by fighting off odor-causing bacteria. 

You can even wear the HerShirt multiple times without laundering it and it’ll stay fresh. 

Natural fabric clothes are also great for reducing odors. Specifically, we recommend fabrics like merino wool, bamboo, linen, hemp and cotton. 

Be careful with cotton, though, for activities like running that generate a lot of sweat. Cotton stays damp and can actually get smelly and musty. Only wear cotton if you don't expect to sweat that much.

2. Change How You Do Laundry 

Here are some laundry tips for fresher clothes. 

• Wash your gym and workout clothes in cold water. It’s better than hot water for getting rid of sweaty smells.
• For really sweaty and smelly clothes, soak them in cold or lukewarm water for an hour or so. Add laundry detergent and some vinegar to help break down the odors. 
• Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. It’s a lot better than fabric softener for eliminating smells. 
• Use sports laundry detergent. It is formulated to be more effective against sweat and dirt. 
• Wash your sweaty clothes immediately after taking them. 
• Transfer wet laundry to the dryer immediately and make sure clothes are bone dry before putting them away.  

3. Clean Your Washer Regularly 

Finally, maintain and clean your washing machine regularly. Run an occasional empty cycle using just vinegar and baking soda. For a deep clean, you can use washing machine cleaning tablets. 

This ensures scale, soap residue, bacteria, mold and mildew don't build up inside the washer. Don't forget to also clean the detergent compartment; it often hides a lot of gunk.