How to wash yoga shorts properly

Want to keep your yoga shorts fresh and in top shape? Just rinse them after use, pre-soak if needed, wash yoga shorts in cold water, and let them air dry. These easy habits help you avoid:

• Pilling

• Thinning

• Loss of elasticity

• Fabric wear and tear

You’ll notice the difference!

Key Takeaways

• Rinse your yoga shorts with cold water after you wear them. This helps get rid of sweat and stops bad smells.

• Always wash yoga shorts in cold water using a gentle cycle. This keeps their shape and stretch.

• Let your shorts air dry in the shade. This keeps the colors bright and stops heat from hurting them.

Prepping to Wash Yoga Shorts

Rinse and Air Out After Use

After a workout, your yoga shorts need a quick rinse with cold water. This step helps remove sweat and keeps bacteria from building up. You don’t want odors sticking around, right? Hang your shorts in a well-ventilated spot. Letting them air out stops moisture from getting trapped, which can lead to unpleasant smells. If you toss damp shorts into a laundry basket, you risk mildew and stubborn stains. Make rinsing and airing out a habit, especially if you plan to wash yoga shorts later in the week.

Tip: Rinsing right after use makes washing easier and keeps your shorts fresher for longer.

Sort and Turn Inside Out

Before you toss your yoga shorts in the wash, take a minute to sort them by color. Mixing darks, lights, and brights can cause dye transfer. Here’s why sorting matters:

• Sorting laundry by color prevents dye transfer.

• Yoga shorts can bleed color, so separating whites, lights, darks, and brights protects your clothes.

• Dark fabrics are more likely to cause color run.

Turning your shorts inside out is another smart move. This simple step helps preserve the vibrant color and design. It also reduces friction on the outer surface, which keeps fading and damage to a minimum during the wash cycle.

• Washing inside out maintains color and design.

• Less friction means less wear and tear.

These easy steps set you up for success every time you wash yoga shorts.

How to Wash Yoga Shorts

Choose Detergent and Avoid Softeners

Picking the right detergent makes a big difference when you wash yoga shorts. Regular detergents often leave sweat and bacteria behind, which means your shorts might still smell after washing. Instead, look for detergents made for activewear or synthetic fabrics. Here are some good options:

• Hex Performance: Cleans deep, removes odors, and works well on performance fabrics. It comes in liquid or capsule form and is eco-friendly.

• OxiClean with Odor Blasters: This booster helps remove stains and fights odors. You only need a small amount.

Stay away from fabric softeners. They coat the fabric, trapping odor-causing bacteria inside. This leads to stubborn smells that just won’t go away. Fabric softeners also reduce the sweat-wicking power of your shorts, making them less comfortable during workouts.

Tip: Always check the label on your shorts for any special washing instructions.

Machine Settings: Cold Water and Gentle Cycle

When you wash yoga shorts, always use cold water. Cold water keeps the fibers strong and helps your shorts last longer. Hot water can damage the fabric, causing it to shrink or lose its stretch. It can also make the colors fade faster.

The gentle cycle is your best friend. It uses less agitation, which means less wear and tear on your shorts. This setting helps keep the shape and elasticity of your yoga shorts. It also works at lower temperatures, so you avoid shrinking or fading.

If you want to give your shorts extra protection, put them in a mesh laundry bag. This keeps them from snagging on other clothes and helps them keep their shape.

Note: Washing yoga shorts with similar fabrics, like sports bras or tees, helps prevent damage.

Pre-soak for Odor or Stains

Sometimes, yoga shorts need a little extra help to get rid of tough odors or stains. Pre-soaking is a great way to tackle these problems before you wash yoga shorts in the machine. Here are some effective pre-soak solutions:

For stains, you can try hydrogen peroxide. It works well on whites and helps with yellowing, but always test it on a small spot first. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach some fabrics, so use it with care. Vinegar is safe for most materials, but it might not work on old or stubborn stains.

Tip: If you notice sweat stains, treat them right away with white vinegar mixed with cold water. This helps lift the stain and keeps your shorts looking new.

When you wash yoga shorts the right way, you keep them fresh, stretchy, and ready for your next workout. Stick to these steps, and your favorite pair will last much longer.

Drying and Extra Care

Air Dry vs. Low Heat

When it comes to drying your yoga shorts, air drying is the best choice. You protect the elastic fibers and keep the shape of your shorts. High heat from a dryer can warp the fabric and make the elastic bands weak. If you want your shorts to last, skip the dryer as much as possible.

• Air drying helps preserve the specialty fabric, shape, and elastic bands.

• It avoids the high heat and friction of a dryer, which can warp fibers and diminish elasticity.

• This method ensures that the garment retains its fit and shape over time.

You can hang your shorts on a drying rack indoors or line dry them outside in the shade. The fabric dries quickly, so you won’t wait long. If you dry outside, keep your shorts out of direct sunlight. UV rays can fade the colors and break down the elastic. Here’s what happens with too much sun:

Tip: Always air dry in the shade to keep your shorts looking and feeling new.

Storage and Longevity Tips

Once your shorts are dry, store them in a cool, dry place. Fold them neatly or hang them to avoid wrinkles and stretching. Don’t cram them into a drawer. Give them space to breathe. This helps keep the fabric fresh and the elastic strong.

• Wash yoga shorts only when needed to avoid extra wear.

• Rotate between pairs so each one gets a break.

• Keep them away from rough surfaces that can snag the fabric.

A little care goes a long way. With these habits, your yoga shorts will stay comfortable and last longer.

You keep your yoga shorts fresh and comfy when you rinse, sort, wash with cold water, and air dry. Make these steps a habit for lasting results.

• Air drying in the shade keeps colors bright.

• Storing with care helps shorts hold their shape.

A little extra care goes a long way!

FAQ

How often should you wash yoga shorts?

You should wash your yoga shorts after every sweaty workout. If you just stretch or do light yoga, you can wear them twice before washing.

Can you use bleach on yoga shorts?

No, avoid bleach. It can damage the fabric and fade colors. Stick to mild detergent for best results.

What if your yoga shorts still smell after washing?

• Try soaking them in vinegar and water for 30 minutes.

• Wash again with an activewear detergent.

• Air dry in the shade for freshness.