Your sports bra works just as hard as you do. From sweaty HIIT sessions to casual brunch dates, your activewear has been with you through thick and thin — but with a little care, it’ll continue to support you for months to come.  Now, it's time to return the favor. Here are some tips on how to keep your gym wear in the best shape.

The Rise of Athleisure

Athleisure has revolutionized comfort and style with functional and versatile leggings, sports bras, and shorts. With athleisure continuing to rise, women are discovering the science and style that comes with an athletic wardrobe.

The Importance of Proper Activewear Care

We often underestimate the impact of proper care on the longevity of our activewear. Despite the misconception that washing clothes frequently will ruin them, following the right instructions can actually extend the life of your garments. Special care is required when washing activewear, as it is made with engineered materials that need to retain their properties. Then how should you clean and maintain your activewear? We’ve got you covered. 

Understanding Activewear Fabric

Workout clothing is often made of a stretchy, high-performance fabric specifically designed to move with you and wick away sweat during workouts. Activewear fabric is typically made from blended synthetic fibers, including polyester, microfibers spandex, or lycra. These fibers are highly engineered to breathe, and Align Off’s fabric has built-in UV protection and anti-microbial properties. The moisture-repelling nature of these materials means extra care is needed to keep them clean.

Technical activewear and performance clothes like leggings and sports bras don’t come cheap. They’re investment pieces as much, so it’s important to invest in their care in the same way. They’re investment pieces as much, so it’s important to invest in their care in the same way. We put great time into our R&D, and details for our clothing. That's why we're sharing top tips to ensure your activewear keeps supporting your every move.

How Often to Wash Activewear?

High-performance activewear wicks away moisture to keep your body dry during workouts, but this also causes it to retain sweaty smells—so washing it properly is important to maintain your best items. Warm, damp conditions post-exercise create a thriving environment to allows bacterial growth and lead to unpleasant odors. To prevent this, it's essential to remove bacteria from the garments after each wear. 

 Don't let sweat sit. One of the best things you can do to keep your activewear in good condition is simply to wash the pieces promptly after a workout or other sweaty activity. Even if you don’t want to actually wash your clothes right away, just running some water over them in a sink and laying them out to dry will help. Washing your activewear promptly after a workout is ideal. Even a quick rinse in the sink followed by air drying can make a difference.

It’s important to note that all activewear fabrics will eventually degrade over time due to friction, heat, sweat, type, and intensity of exercise, and how they are treated between wears. Following these tips will help keep your activewear in the best condition and maximize its longevity.

Washing Tips

• Temperature: Most activewear is often infused with elastane/ spandex/ Lycra—the expensive stuff that makes your leggings stretch and comfy. At the same time vulnerable to heat damage: their fibers can shrink and lose elasticity when washed in high heat. So, always stick to cool temperatures (40°c and below) to keep your workout wear in great shape and to save water and energy. If your activewear has zippers, using a mesh laundry bag can prevent the fabric from snagging, stretching, or tearing.

• Turn Inside Out: Washing your leggings inside out is important for two reasons:

1. The majority of bacteria build up on the inside, rather than the outside of your garments. By turning them inside out, you directly target this build-up, ensuring your clothing remains fresh and clean. 
2. Ensuring that fastenings and zippers are closed protects your activewear in multiple ways. It not only prevents potential snagging and tearing during the washing process but also helps in preserving vibrant colors. Additionally, turning garments inside out helps reduce the chances of pilling, which can occur when the shedding fibers of other fabrics stick to your workout wear. This is also a simple yet effective way to prevent brand logos and exterior detailing from either fading or peeling off.

• Avoid Fabric Softener: Fabric softener should be avoided as it adds a wax-like layer to your activewear. This waxy layer of fabric softener reduces your activewear’s ability to wick moisture and get clean, and also over time makes it more difficult for high-stretch gym wear to retain its shape and form. (Align Off’s high-performance garments usually have a very high spandex content - more than 20%).
• Drying: To reduce the chances of shrinkage, avoid tumble dryers at all costs. Air dry your activewear away from direct sunlight and heaters, as excessive heat can degrade the fibers.
• Storage: High-performance activewear is best stored folded, as hanging it can stretch elastane fibers and create pucker marks that are tough to get rid of. Some people find it helpful to sort and store their workout gear by type—bottoms, tops, and sports bras. Others like to store matching outfits together so they can easily grab a set of clothing on the go. No matter how you choose to organize your activewear, make sure it's clean before storing it long-term. Bugs and larvae won’t eat synthetic fibers, but they’ll be attracted to any lingering organic stains.

How Long to Keep Activewear?

How long your workout gear lasts really comes down to how often you wear it and how well you take care of it. As a general guideline, a sports bra that’s worn regularly might show signs of wear after around a year. However, use your judgment when checking for signs of wear and tear. If it still feels comfortable and gives you the support you need during your workouts, then you're good to go! 

When Should I Replace My Sports Bra?

Over time, your sports bra will stretch out and provide less support during exercise. Like all performance wear, your sports bra does have a shelf life. Here are some signs that you might need to replace your bra:

• Increased Breast Movement or Pain: You notice increased breast movement or discomfort during or after your workout. This is a sign your bra isn’t supporting you effectively. 

• Loose Bands and Straps: A loose band, straps requiring constant adjustment, or a rough texture signals material degradation. 

• Roughness or Chafing: If the band or straps feel rough against your skin and start to chafe, this is a sign the material has degraded.

• Persistent Stains or Odors: If the bra is stained or has an odor, even after washing.

 In 'How To Find The Perfect Sports Bra,' we break down the steps to ensure you get the best fit for your active lifestyle.

 Align Off's Commitment

At Align Off, we’re passionate about providing you with the best activewear that can be designed and engineered. By following these comprehensive guidelines, you can ensure that your activewear from Align Off remains in impeccable condition, providing you with both style and functionality. Remember, maintaining your activewear is an investment in both its performance and your comfort.

Conclusion

Even with the best care and repair in the world, we know nothing lasts forever. Make sure you recycle your activewear items once you can no longer use them. This keeps the materials in circulation to be repurposed into something new, rather than shoved into a landfill. 

Have questions or want to share your care tips? Feel free to reach out to us – we’re here to support your active lifestyle! What are your favorite activewear care routines? Share your thoughts in the comments below.