How to Wash Workout Clothes with White Vinegar

Workout clothes often hold on to a sweat smell very easily, even after they’ve been washed. That’s because performance fabrics can trap residue from bacteria, deodorant and natural skin oils. As a result, many people look for simple, affordable ways to keep sportswear clean, soft and free from unpleasant odours without affecting the fabric’s stretch-and white spirit vinegar is often suggested as a useful household option.

How to wash workout clothes with vinegar, step by step

Before you add any product, start by separating your gym kit from other laundry-especially towels and heavier cotton items. Next, turn your sportswear inside out, as sweat and deodorant build-up tends to be most concentrated on the inside and is harder to remove.

For this type of wash, white spirit vinegar is usually the best choice, as long as it’s properly diluted. A straightforward routine like the one below can help loosen residue that detergent alone doesn’t always shift, while keeping the fabric’s feel and elasticity.

1. Fill a bucket or bowl with cold or slightly cool water.
2. Add ½ to 1 cup (120 to 240 ml) of white vinegar for every 4 to 5 litres of water.
3. Stir well, then add the workout clothes (already turned inside out).
4. Leave to soak for 20 to 40 minutes, and do not exceed 1 hour.
5. After soaking, wash as normal with laundry detergent, ideally using a delicate cycle.

How vinegar helps remove sweat odour from clothes

White spirit vinegar has mild acidity, which can help neutralise odours caused by bacteria found in dried sweat. When workout clothes soak in a water-and-vinegar solution, the particles responsible for bad smells tend to lift more easily during the wash-without needing very hot water.

To boost the effect and reduce the chance of odour returning quickly, a few everyday laundry habits can noticeably improve the end result and keep the fabric smelling fresher for longer.

• Wash as soon as possible: leaving sweaty clothing in a gym bag or laundry basket for days makes the smell set in.
• Don’t overdo the detergent: too much product can get trapped in fibres and contribute to lingering odours.
• Avoid very hot water: on gym fabrics, high temperatures can “cook” the smell into the material.
• Dry in an airy spot: hanging items in the shade with good airflow helps disperse any remaining odours.

Does vinegar soften fabric without damaging elasticity?

It can help make fibres feel more supple, particularly when detergent or conventional fabric softener has built up. By breaking down those leftovers, the fabric often feels less stiff to the touch-useful for frequently worn leggings, sports bras and dry-fit tops.

Garments containing elastane, polyamide and other technical fibres need gentle handling to avoid affecting the material’s structure. Using diluted white spirit vinegar in cold or slightly cool water, and sticking to the recommended soaking time, helps prevent damage and keeps the stretch in good condition.

How often should you use vinegar on workout clothes?

You don’t need to add vinegar to every wash, except when the smell is especially strong and keeps coming back. For people who train regularly, using it in one wash per week is usually enough to maintain freshness, provided items are dried somewhere well ventilated.

You can also save vinegar for occasions when odour remains even after a standard wash, alternating it with products made specifically for sportswear. This approach helps the fabric keep its appearance, avoids a noticeable smell, and supports durability over time.

---