You've invested in quality activewear shorts that perform well during your workouts, but are you caring for them properly? The way you wash, dry, and store your athletic shorts directly impacts their longevity and performance. Improper care can degrade moisture-wicking properties, cause persistent odours, and significantly shorten the lifespan of even the best shorts.

This guide covers everything you need to know about maintaining your activewear shorts, from everyday washing tips to dealing with stubborn odours and knowing when it's finally time to replace them.

Understanding Your Activewear Fabrics

Before diving into care instructions, it helps to understand what makes activewear fabrics special. Most athletic shorts use synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, often blended with elastane for stretch. These fabrics are engineered with moisture-wicking properties that pull sweat away from your skin and spread it across the fabric surface for faster evaporation.

The key to maintaining these performance properties is keeping the fabric's microscopic structure intact. Harsh detergents, excessive heat, and certain additives can clog or damage these structures, reducing the fabric's ability to manage moisture effectively. This is why activewear requires different care than your regular cotton clothing.

How Moisture-Wicking Works

Moisture-wicking fabrics use capillary action to move sweat from your skin to the outer surface of the fabric. The fabric's structure creates tiny channels that pull moisture outward. When these channels become clogged with residue from detergents or fabric softeners, the wicking process is compromised, leaving you feeling damp and uncomfortable during workouts.

The Proper Washing Routine

Developing good washing habits is the foundation of activewear care. Follow these steps to keep your shorts performing their best.

Don't Let Sweaty Shorts Sit

Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Leaving sweaty shorts in your gym bag or laundry basket for days allows bacteria to multiply, creating persistent odours that become increasingly difficult to remove. If you can't wash your shorts immediately, at least hang them to dry before tossing them in the laundry.

Turn Shorts Inside Out

Most sweat and body oils accumulate on the inside of your shorts. Turning them inside out before washing ensures the washing action focuses on the dirtiest areas while protecting outer surfaces from unnecessary abrasion.

Use Cold Water

Hot water can break down elastic fibres and damage the technical properties of synthetic fabrics. Cold water is just as effective at cleaning activewear and helps maintain fabric integrity. It's also more energy-efficient and better for the environment.

Choose the Right Detergent

Use a mild, liquid detergent without dyes or fragrances. Some brands offer detergents specifically formulated for activewear, which can be worth the investment for premium gear. Avoid using more detergent than necessary, as excess soap leaves residue that accumulates in fabric fibres.

Washing Checklist
  • Wash after every use to prevent bacterial buildup
  • Turn shorts inside out before washing
  • Use cold water on a gentle cycle
  • Use minimal mild, fragrance-free detergent
  • Wash with similar athletic fabrics

What to Avoid When Washing

Certain common laundry practices can actually damage your activewear. Here's what to steer clear of.

Never Use Fabric Softener

This is the most important rule for activewear care. Fabric softeners coat fibres with a waxy residue that clogs the microscopic channels responsible for moisture-wicking. A single wash with fabric softener can noticeably reduce your shorts' ability to manage sweat. Dryer sheets have a similar effect and should also be avoided.

Skip the Bleach

Bleach and other harsh chemicals can break down synthetic fibres, degrading both the fabric's structure and its technical properties. Even colour-safe bleach is too harsh for most activewear. If you need to tackle tough stains or odours, try the methods described later in this guide instead.

Don't Overwash

While you should wash shorts after sweaty workouts, you don't necessarily need to wash them after every single wear, especially if you only wore them briefly or didn't work up much of a sweat. Overwashing causes unnecessary wear on fabric and elastic components.

Warning: Fabric Softener Damage

If you've accidentally used fabric softener on your activewear, the damage isn't always permanent. Wash the affected items several times in cold water without any additives. You can also try soaking them in a solution of cold water and white vinegar (1 cup vinegar per sink full of water) for an hour before washing to help strip the residue.

Drying Your Athletic Shorts

How you dry your shorts is just as important as how you wash them. Heat is the enemy of synthetic fabrics and elastic waistbands.

Air Dry When Possible

The gentlest option for your activewear is air drying. Hang shorts on a drying rack or clothesline, avoiding direct sunlight which can fade colours and degrade certain fabrics over time. Most athletic shorts dry remarkably quickly due to their moisture-wicking properties.

If Using a Dryer

If you must use a dryer, select the lowest heat setting or use the air-dry/tumble-dry option. High heat can melt or warp synthetic fibres, damage elastic waistbands, and cause shrinkage. Remove shorts promptly when the cycle finishes rather than leaving them sitting in a hot dryer.

Never Use Dryer Sheets

Like fabric softeners, dryer sheets leave a coating on fabric that impairs moisture-wicking performance. If static is a concern, try dryer balls instead, which help separate clothes without leaving residue.

Dealing with Stubborn Odours

Even with proper care, athletic shorts can develop persistent odours over time. Synthetic fabrics are particularly prone to trapping bacteria-causing smells that regular washing doesn't fully eliminate. Here are effective solutions.

White Vinegar Soak

White vinegar is naturally antibacterial and helps break down odour-causing buildup. Add one cup of white vinegar to a sink or basin of cold water and soak your shorts for 30 minutes to an hour before washing normally. The vinegar smell dissipates completely after drying.

Baking Soda Treatment

For particularly stubborn odours, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to affected areas, and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing. Alternatively, add half a cup of baking soda to your wash cycle along with your regular detergent.

Sports Detergent

Speciality sports detergents like those from Nikwax, Nathan, or Hex are formulated to break down the oils and bacteria that cause activewear odours. While more expensive than regular detergent, they can be effective for persistent odour issues.

Storing Your Athletic Shorts

Proper storage helps maintain your shorts' shape and performance between wears.

  • Store clean and dry: Never store damp or dirty shorts, which encourages mildew and bacterial growth
  • Fold rather than hang: Heavy hangers can stretch elastic waistbands over time
  • Keep away from direct sunlight: UV rays can fade colours and degrade synthetic materials
  • Allow airflow: Don't cram shorts into overstuffed drawers where air can't circulate

When to Replace Your Shorts

Even with excellent care, activewear eventually wears out. Replace your shorts when you notice any of the following signs.

  • Persistent odours: If thorough cleaning no longer eliminates smells, the fabric structure may be permanently compromised
  • Lost elasticity: When waistbands no longer hold their shape or stay in place during activity
  • Pilling or thinning: Excessive pilling or areas where fabric has become thin and see-through
  • Reduced moisture management: If shorts no longer wick sweat effectively and feel wet during workouts
  • Visible damage: Holes, tears, or significant colour fading

Quality athletic shorts typically last 1-3 years with regular use and proper care. Higher-quality construction and fabrics generally translate to longer lifespan, making premium shorts worth the initial investment.

Special Care Considerations

Compression Shorts

Compression shorts require extra gentle care to maintain their supportive properties. Always wash on a gentle cycle and never use high heat, which can damage the elastic compression fabric.

Shorts with Reflective Elements

Wash shorts with reflective details inside out to protect these elements from abrasion. Avoid ironing near reflective materials.

By following these care guidelines, you'll extend the life of your activewear shorts while ensuring they continue to perform as designed. A little extra attention to how you wash and dry your gear pays dividends in comfort and durability over time.