We Tested 5 Gym Odour Remedies—Here’s What Actually Worked
If you’ve ever pulled clean gym clothes out of the wash only to get hit with that lingering sweat smell, you know the struggle is real. Removing odour from workout clothes isn’t always as easy as tossing them in the machine. So we decided to test it.
We tried five common methods for removing odour from gym clothes and tracked how well they worked on leggings, sports bras, and tank tops after a week of workouts. Here’s what worked—and what didn’t.
Method 1: Regular Detergent on Cold Cycle
What we did: Washed a load of activewear with a popular mainstream detergent using a standard cold wash.
Result: Clothes looked clean, but the armpits of the sports bras and waistbands of the leggings still had a faint musty smell. After drying, the odour returned when we started to sweat again.
Verdict: Not effective for removing odour from gym clothes—only masks it temporarily.
Method 2: White Vinegar Soak
What we did: Soaked workout clothes in a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water for 30 minutes before washing.
Result: Helped neutralize some of the smell, especially in cotton-blend pieces. However, it left a slightly sour scent on synthetics and didn’t completely remove odour from leggings.
Verdict: Semi-effective, but not ideal for synthetic-heavy gym wear.
Method 3: Baking Soda in the Wash
What we did: Added half a cup of baking soda directly to the drum with the clothes during a regular wash.
Result: Helped slightly with deodorizing, but didn’t break through the embedded sweat smell in tech fabrics. Also left powdery residue on some items.
Verdict: Okay as a laundry booster, but not a long-term fix.
Method 4: Activewear-Specific Detergent
What we did: Washed with an odour-targeting detergent formulated specifically for activewear (like Sweat Chemistry). No softeners, no residue, and optimized for synthetics.
Result: Major improvement. Clothes came out with zero odour—even after drying and wearing again. Fabrics also felt softer and stretchier compared to previous washes.
Verdict: Best results by far. Actually removed the sweat smell from workout clothes instead of just covering it.
Method 5: Pre-Soak + Activewear Detergent Combo
What we did: Soaked gym clothes in cold water and detergent for 30 minutes before washing on a cold cycle with the same activewear-safe detergent.
Result: Game-changer. This method completely eliminated any trace of smell from high-sweat areas like sports bra underbands and armpits. It even refreshed older pieces that still had embedded odour.
Verdict: Most effective method for removing smell from gym clothes—especially older or high-use items.
Our Final Recommendation
If you’re serious about removing odour from workout clothes, a combo of pre-soaking and using a detergent formulated for synthetics is your best bet. Traditional methods like baking soda or vinegar can help, but they won’t fully lift sweat and oil from tight-knit fabrics like polyester and spandex.
Want a clean that actually lasts through your next hot yoga class? Switch to an activewear-specific detergent and give your gear a pre-soak now and then. Your laundry (and your nose) will thank you.
