How often should I wash my exercise clothes?

When you come home from a run or a sweaty gym session, do you immediately fling your clothes into the washing machine for a hot cycle? Or do you leave them on a chair (or the floordrobe) so you can wear them again tomorrow?

Earlier this year, the French government made waves by suggesting how often people should wash their clothes. For sportswear, they recommend wearing it up to three times before washing.

This advice comes from environmental concerns, as each laundry cycle uses a lot of water and energy. Frequent washing can also damage fabrics and add to textile waste.

But what about your health? If the idea of wearing your sweaty or damp clothes again feels gross, here’s what you should know.

Sports Clothes and Sweat In the past, sports clothes were made from natural materials like cotton. Now, most of them are made from synthetic fabrics designed to manage moisture, control temperature, breathe, and reduce odor.

However, research shows these synthetic fabrics, especially polyester, can trap moisture and create a warm, humid environment where bacteria thrive. After just one use, your sports clothes can carry a lot of bacteria.

Tips for Clothes Between Wears:

• Turn clothes inside out after use to let bacteria be exposed to air.
• Hang them up to dry immediately after exercise.
• Make sure they’re fully dry before storing them.
• Store clothes in a well-ventilated area, not in a closed hamper or bag.
• If possible, hang clothes in the sun, as UV rays can help kill bacteria.
• Keep worn clothes away from clean clothes.

When clothes are damp, including from sweat, bacteria multiply much faster, and the smell gets worse.

But, there are new fabric innovations that help with this problem. Some clothes now have silver nanoparticles, essential oil-based treatments, or antimicrobial treatments that can reduce bacteria and make clothes last longer.

Is It Safe to Rewear Gym Clothes? It depends on a few factors:

• Fabric type: Natural fibers like cotton hold fewer bacteria and odors compared to synthetic fabrics, so cotton clothes can last longer between washes.
• Exercise intensity and sweat: Low-intensity activities, like yoga or walking, create less sweat, so you may be able to wear your clothes more than once. High-intensity workouts produce more sweat, which increases bacteria growth and odor.
• Season: The climate also affects how much bacteria grow. In cooler months when you sweat less, it might be okay to wear your clothes a few more times before washing.
• Personal health: Some people, like those with skin conditions or weaker immune systems, should be more careful about rewearing gym clothes to avoid skin infections.