Athletic/Functional Wear Care: Secrets to Maintaining Water Repellency and Completely Removing Sweat Odor

🏃‍♀️ Preserve Water Repellency and Eliminate Sweat Odor: Complete Care Secrets for Athletic and Functional Wear

Expensive functional wear (hiking gear, golf wear, gym clothes) is centered on moisture-wicking/quick-drying properties to absorb and quickly dry sweat, or water-repellent/waterproof functions to block external moisture. However, improper use of regular detergents or fabric softeners can damage these functions, shortening the garment's lifespan. We share the secrets to managing athletic wear to maintain functionality and completely eliminate sweat odor.

🔑 Core of Functional Wear Care: No Fabric Softener and Use Neutral Detergent

The most crucial aspect of functional wear care is maintaining the functions coated on the fiber structure.

Fabric Softener (Absolutely Prohibited): The oil component in fabric softener clogs the fiber pores (breathing holes) responsible for water-repellent/waterproof or moisture-wicking/quick-drying functions, causing them to lose efficacy.
Neutral Detergent (Recommended): Using a neutral detergent (wool shampoo, etc.) that minimizes damage to functional materials is the safest option.

💡 3-Step Formula for Perfect Athletic/Functional Wear Care

1. 🧪 Before Wash: Pre-Washing to Remove Sweat Odor

Immediate Wash: Leaving sweaty clothes for a long time causes the odor to set into the fabric. It is best to wash immediately if possible.
Odor Removal: Severe sweat odor can be neutralized and removed by soaking the clothes in water mixed with baking soda or vinegar for about 30 minutes. (Acidic vinegar neutralizes alkaline sweat odor, and slightly alkaline baking soda neutralizes acidic soiling.)

2. 🧼 During Wash: NO Fabric Softener, YES Neutral Detergent

Separate Wash: Functional wear should be washed separately from regular clothes to prevent residue from other garments from clogging the functional fibers.
Neutral Detergent and Cold Water: Always use neutral detergent and wash briefly on the delicate cycle with cold water (below 30°C / 86°F).

3. 🌬️ During Drying: Natural Drying and Water Repellency Restoration

No Dryer: High heat in a dryer can melt or damage the bonding or coating of functional materials. They must be natural dried in a well-ventilated shade.
Water Repellency Restoration (Using a Hair Dryer): If water repellency has weakened after washing, after the garment is dry, briefly apply low heat from a hair dryer to the surface of the functional wear. This can reactivate the coating components and restore some water repellency. (Avoid excessive heat.)

Maintain your expensive functional wear in optimal condition for a long time with delicate care.