Laundering running clothes question?

[CantWaitToGoAgain]

Okay I've been running a few months and now need to invest in some fall/colder running gear. So far I've gotten by with skirts and t's dry tech gear from Walmart and Target. I've looked at some running tights and long sleeve t's from running warehouse for WI fall mornings that will cost over $100.00. Also knowing in about another month I'll have to get another set of layers for true winter wear.
I run 3 times a week. Is it best to wash running gear after every run or is it ok to wear a couple times before laundering? I'm thinking in terms of wear and tear of fabric but also hygiene?? I guess the same would go for bras, their spendy too and everyday washings are killing the elasticity!
Thanks in advance. I want to continue to run as the temps drop without breaking the bank.
Denise

 

[FireDancer]

Anything that touches my skin I wash after every run with the exception of winter running hats and gloves. Anything that doesn't depends on the situation but usually I can go multiple runs. My jackets can usually make it the whole winter but they get a smell test after each winter run.

To prolong the life of your running stuff I'd get one of the specialty detergents for wicking clothing and do not, under any circumstances, use either liquid fabric softener or dryer sheets with technical gear. I use Penguin Sports Wash.

 

[SAHDad]

I'm much like FD here - I wash almost everything after a run. Hats, gloves and shoes (since I wear FiverFingers and no socks) get a pass until they fail the whiff test.

 

[Radiorox]

With the bras (I get the Champion ones which I can NEVER find under $50) I wash in the shower as best as possible and line dry. When I do loss them in the wash, I do in a lingeree (sp?) bag and line dry.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I run 6 days/week, twice/day a few of those days, so I do not wash after every run. I hang everything up to dry and wear for 2 days before washing. The only exception would be for my long runs - I always wear fresh clothes on my long run, and they are washed afterward. Also, if I do a trail run and my clothes get muddy, I wash.

 

[cewait]

I am in the middle.

I travel a lot and only bring one set of running gear on the road, sometimes two for a longer trip. I do rinse and roll in a towel in the hotel and hang dry.

At home, everything gets washed with every run. Most everything hits the dryer, but not all. If there is a question about dryer we default to hang dry. Wash machine is set to gentle and we use a liquid detergent. And as posted above – never never use fabric softener – liquid or sheets.

So, I say play it by ear. What I find on my week long trips is that I tend to feel like I am chaffing towards the end of the week.

 

[SueInBoston]

I don't laundry after every run. I probably have enough workout clothes to go a whole month without laundrying I hang my workout/running clothes to dry and wear them at least 2x (sometimes 3x depends on weather and length of run) then I do a workout load at end of week.

I run 3-4x a week and yoga every night.

 

[jpeka65844]

I also launder everything after every run. After awhile, though. Some stuff still stinks. I've done vinegar rinses as well to eliminate odors.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Another thought for those concerned about odors after running - try different running materials. Synthetic fibers react more to our sweat than cotton does, and produce different odors as a result. Our chemical output differs from one person to the next, so material that smells rosy on one person after a run might smell horrid on another. I have a few sets of running clothes that I rarely wear because the second that I start sweating the odor starts to mount. With most of my running clothes, this is not a problem. With cotton, no problem at all. Sadly I sweat far too much to wear cotton when running.

 

[wood8176]

I wash after every run. I use a product called "Sport Wash" since I run in non-cotton, "tech" shirts and they tend to have an ammonia smell after my workouts. It does a really good job, but it is a little pricey.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

My run bras & inside shirt get washed after 1 wearing, and the run pants after every long run (and after every sweaty run).
The outer shirts go longer, and the jackets (I have 3 run coats) usually get washed 2x a season.

I use washing machine & Tide (Free & Gentle liquid), cold water and hang dry all, but 1x a season I'll use hot water..........but NOT THE DRYER! lol, accidently did that to a pair of run capris I brought for wine&dine....I wore them on warmup run before & did they ever shrink! I was hitching them up every 2 minutes!

Funnily enough, yesterday I was dressed for running & my sister asked me "Do you own anything besides run shirts?".
"Snot" I thought to myself......but then I went and counted. I have over 50 run shirts. Slightly more than the number of my non-run shirts.....

Run people, go check your own closets!

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I rinse everything out after every run, let it dry, and then set aside for a wash load. I never wear anything more than once before it goes to the wash pile except for gloves and shoes.

Of course, I can buy good quality running clothes at a local thrift store for $2 to $5 an item, which is probably not reality for most folks, so I have a large wardrobe of such garb.