This story is part of our RE:HACKS series, in which we detail some easy guidelines to help you care for and maintain your PUMA products, so the stuff you love lasts longer.
Doing laundry: For some it’s a chore, for others it’s a meditative process. Whether you’ve got a set of machines in your house, or you have to stroll down to the old coin-op spot on the corner, one thing remains true – love it or not, laundry’s got to get done.
You already know the basics (separate light from dark, etc.), so we asked our textile experts to share their favorite tips for washing workout clothes. They went above and beyond, giving us this helpful laundry guide with 5 common laundry mistakes that you might not even know you’re making.
Keep reading for our five favorite little-known “laundry don’ts” (#5 is pretty cool.)
Laundry Mistake #1: Overfilling the washer
This one might be tough if you’re doing laundry at a busy laundromat and the sole available washing machine is one of those weird little ones that only fit like two towels. Miniscule machine notwithstanding, an overstuffed washer is going to make it hard to properly wash your clothes.
In a packed basin, water is not allowed to circulate as freely, leaving clothes inconsistently washed. As a result, you may end up re-washing certain items – wasting water, energy, soap, time, and even money.
Laundry Mistake #2: Machine drying stretchy gear
When washing your workout clothes, it’s important to follow the washing instructions on the gear. That means you should probably avoid tossing your stretchy gear (like Lycra®) in the dryer.
Repeated exposure to high temps in a dryer cause your workout clothes to wear out faster than necessary. Hang dry those high-performance items on a drying rack or clothesline. Outdoors is best – sunlight is a natural disinfectant. That said, be careful: too much direct exposure to the sun can also cause your gear to age.
Laundry Mistake #3: Not being precious enough with your prints
If your workout clothes have prints, appliques, or other delicate details (we’re looking at you, guy with a personalized “DAD #1” AC Milan shirt), take special care. This will usually be outlined on the item’s care tag, but a safe bet is to turn it inside out. If you’re super concerned about keeping your prints pristine, you might even want to just hand wash it.
Knowing how to properly wash clothes, especially your favorite PUMA gear, can keep those garments in your rotation for years to come.
Laundry Mistake #4: Forgetting to clean your washer and dryer
It’s easy to forget that the washer and dryer also need to be cleaned from time to time. This will keep them running efficiently and (hopefully) for years to come.
If you’re doing laundry regularly, you should clean your washing machine once a month. There are various products available (typically from laundry detergent makers) that will give your machine a solid clean. Just drop a tablet or a scoop of washing machine cleaner into an empty washer and run a regular cycle. If possible, after cleaning the washer, leave the door open for a while so it can dry out completely.
For a more intense clean, mix together 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Take an old toothbrush and a clean microfiber cloth and really scrub the tough spots. Make sure you get the bleach tray, powder detergent tray, and gasket (the rubber part around the hatch on a front-loader.) After scrubbing, run the washer with the cleaning tablet, like above.
Before doing any of these, be sure to check your washer’s manufacturer’s guide – you don’t want to risk accidentally damaging the machine.
Dryers are a little more straightforward but cleaning them is just as essential. Keep the lint trap clear (clean it out every time you dry a load) and wipe the inside and gaskets with a clean microfiber cloth with a bit of dish soap on it about once a month.
Laundry Mistake #5: Washing workout clothes with warm or hot water
See? We told you #5 would be cool 😎. All puns aside, cool or cold water is best for washing clothes – especially workout gear. If your machine allows you to dial in a temperature, aim for 70°F (roughly 20°C) or cooler. Otherwise, the “cold” or “cool” setting should do the trick.
Cool/cold water is great for washing clothes because it causes less strain on the fabric. That means your clothes last longer. Some detergents are specially formulated for cold water washing as well, meaning they have enzymes that thrive in 60°F-70°F temperatures so your gear gets cleaner. Because the water doesn’t need to be heated up, you’ll end up saving on your energy bills, too.
So there you have it – 5 laundry mistakes you probably didn’t even realize you were making. Hopefully this laundry guide has given you all the tips you need to properly wash your workout clothes and keep your PUMA gear looking as good as your workouts.
For more tips on protecting, cleaning, and caring for your PUMA gear, check out our other RE:HACKS guides.