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Scott asked: How do I wash quick dry materials such as Under Armor? I have some workout clothes made from the synthetic, quick dry material like Under Armour. It is hard to get the sweat smell out of them. Is there a special detergent, or a special way these should be washed? Thanks
Under Armour and other quick dry clothing is designed for sports and athletic use. Though normal washing will get them clean, following the specified care instructions will help keep the pieces from fading and also prevent the fabric from becoming prematurely worn.
You Will Need:
- Laundry detergent
- Garment bag
- Cold water
- Baking soda
- Drying rack
- Hair dryer
Steps to Wash:
- Quick dry clothing can be washed by hand or on the gentle cycle in the washing machine. If washing in a washing machine, place the items in a garment bag to offer protection from Velcro, hooks, zippers, etc. that could potentially damage the fabric.
- Use cold water when washing to keep the colors bright.
- If there is a sweaty odor in the clothing, add baking soda to the washing water to help get rid of the odor.
- If washing by hand, rinse well and squeeze gently to dry. Avoid wringing tightly as this can cause the piece to lose its shape.
- Dry the clothing in the dryer on the low heat setting. Do not use any dryer sheets as it will cause the fabric to break down quicker. The clothing can also be air dried on a rack. If you find that you have a problem with wrinkles, you can dry it using a hair dryer on the cool setting, which shouldn’t take long since it’s quick-dry clothing already.
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Additional Tips and Advice
- Though the fabric will not likely shrink in the warm/hot water, it will cause it to become worn more quickly.
- Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets when washing these fabrics. Both of these products will wear the fabric out quickly.
- If no baking soda is available, OxyClean, or a similar additive can be used in its place. Vinegar is great at removing odors, but the acidity of it may lead to damage if used often. To use white vinegar, pour one cup into the rinse cycle.
- Pilling or fuzz found on these clothing pieces can be caused from friction with other fabrics such as cottons, or by snagging on hooks and Velcro found on other sportswear.
I can’t seem to get any of the wrinkles out of an Under Armour shirt; I’ve tried everything! Not even worn and I’m ready to throw it in the trash. Help!
How can I get my Underamour white shirts and pants clean again because now they look very dull and almost black. Please help; thank you
It’s the seams that trap the bacteria/ odor the most. Wash it inside out to expose the seams to the cycle’s agitation as much as possible. For the trapped odors, you need to “strip” the build-up that further traps bacteria. Put Dawn dish detergent on the underarm seams from time to time and scrub the seams against each other under running, warm water. When most of the detergent is out, then wash it as usual.
Will drying on hanger stretch out the neck opening?
Kris,
It is possible that hanger drying could stretch the neck as it does with wool and cashmere items. If preferred, you can lay the item flat to dry as is done with wools, etc.
I have four brightly coloured Under Armour T-shirts that will not come clean when washed. There always seem to be marks on them, even when repeatedly washed in the washing machine. They actually come out of the wash looking worse than when they went in. We use Tide detergent for cold water and use cold water to wash with no fabric softener. Any suggestions?
Ray,
When clothes come out of the washer dirtier than they went in, that often means you need to clean the washing machine. This article can help: How to Clean a Washing Machine.
I find that egg whites take out the stains very nicely, along with baking soda, and you should be good to go!
I have heard from a Nike store associate that the fabric softener ruins the wicking ability of the fabric by filling in the “pores,” and that is why one should not use fabric softener with quick dry fabrics.
How can I remove stains, caused by bleeding of other fabric (pale grey), from my grandson’s white soccer shirt? Thanks for suggestions!
Good post. I have found a product called Gear Wash. Gear Wash is a laundry soap that will take out odors and all the stuff that causes the odors to even be there. I play hockey, and the equipment stinks bad and a lot of the players use Under Armor or similar clothing underneath. Using this product has been the only thing that works! It is sold by a company called Team Clean Gear, or sold at pro shops too. Hope this helps!