Today we talk about how to clean your beloved running outfits: underwear, T-shirts, shorts, joggers, long pants, windproof jackets, gloves, cap, socks. Everything.
All eyes on me.
A few clarifications before:
- Technical running apparel is made from synthetic fabrics with high breathability and specific properties (breathability precisely, waterproofness-some-elasticity, etc.).
- Comply with the washing directions: otherwise the performance characteristics will be lost
A few simple moves.
- Wash the garment in a washing machine or by hand, but always at no more than 40° (for some even 30° – check the washing instructions carefully) and without using fabric softener or bleach
- Do not mix different colors (yes, everyone knows this, but it bears repeating)
- Do not wash with other clothing with exposed parts that could ruin your beloved technical garments (aggressive zippers, metal buttons)
- Wash the garment inside out
- Let it dry naturally, and above all, never use a dryer or excessive heat sources: technical fabrics naturally dry quickly, and excessive heat deteriorates their qualities
- good news: you don’t need to iron them: they’re stretchy and barely creaseable (oh yeah!) but if you really want to, use a lukewarm iron
- Wear them
- Run!
One more thing.
You know we always like to put one more thing in. So: many technical fabrics (the more expensive ones) are antimicrobial/antibacterial. In other words: you can sweat in them but they don’t stink. Or not after one or a few uses. So you can – yes, trust me – run in them, sweat them out, put them on to dry and wear them again without washing them. Not for many times, but for a while. Save the trouble of washing them, the detergent, the energy. Nature will love you more and the sun will smile on you when you are caressed by a gentle breeze. Running, happy.