Killer Filler Friday: Fabrics, Softeners, and Tennis Balls!
Hi All! Yesterday, I had the pleasure of learning some simple KEY WAYS to keep our fitness clothes working well, from a guru fitness apparel product manager. They're so simple and I just didn't know! So I'm spreadin' the word....
1. Use scent FREE detergents with your exercise clothes! WHY? Because the chemicals of those scents actually block the performance fabric's ability to wick well and not smell.
2. Do NOT use fabric softeners in the dryer with your exercise clothes! WHY? Again, the fabric softener agents just clog up the wicking fabrics ability to work well. So what happens is, the wicking performance fabric can't 'breathe' as well, can't absorb the sweat, and smells worse because the softening agents are clogging up the fabric. (And don't use fabric softeners with towels either. For the same reason. It makes the towels lose their ability to absorb water!;-)
3. Use Tennis Balls in the Dryer. The tennis balls help reduce the static...Big Time!
4. What does 'Wicking' mean?: It's the fabric's ability to move sweat away from the sweat zones quickly. It disperses the sweat. Polyester is a gem for this. Cotton is horrible for this. Cotton breathes well, poly...not so much. So a perfect blend is key...;-)
So that's what I got over here? Now my question for you? Did you know any of these tips? Ya got any more you can share with us? Would LOVE to know!
Now, I'm off to buy some scent free detergent to get my HUGE load o' running laundry done this weekend!
1. Use scent FREE detergents with your exercise clothes! WHY? Because the chemicals of those scents actually block the performance fabric's ability to wick well and not smell.
2. Do NOT use fabric softeners in the dryer with your exercise clothes! WHY? Again, the fabric softener agents just clog up the wicking fabrics ability to work well. So what happens is, the wicking performance fabric can't 'breathe' as well, can't absorb the sweat, and smells worse because the softening agents are clogging up the fabric. (And don't use fabric softeners with towels either. For the same reason. It makes the towels lose their ability to absorb water!;-)
3. Use Tennis Balls in the Dryer. The tennis balls help reduce the static...Big Time!
4. What does 'Wicking' mean?: It's the fabric's ability to move sweat away from the sweat zones quickly. It disperses the sweat. Polyester is a gem for this. Cotton is horrible for this. Cotton breathes well, poly...not so much. So a perfect blend is key...;-)
So that's what I got over here? Now my question for you? Did you know any of these tips? Ya got any more you can share with us? Would LOVE to know!
Now, I'm off to buy some scent free detergent to get my HUGE load o' running laundry done this weekend!
Comments
I air dry all my wicking stuff. I've found that things I've accidentally dried get a perma-stink feature I find highly repulsive.
Have a great weekend!
Fleet Feet stores sell a brand of detergent that will help remove that "smell" that often sticks with wick-away type clothing too.
I was almost all of my laundry with dye/color/scent free detergent and a heaping scoop of baking soda. The baking soda acts as a fabric softener, and all of my clothes are delightful!
You can also use white vinegar and it will defunk clothes well. Plus, baking soda and vinegar are mighty cheap compared to fabric softener.
Oh, when I toss in the clothes in the dryer (a rarity), after the baking soda, they are basically static free. The very rare load will be staticy, and I don't use tennis balls in the dryer either.
Works for me.