(BPT) - If you’re finding more stains on your clothes because the weather is warming up, you’re not alone. You may find yourself doing more loads of laundry during the summer, when outdoor activities like hiking and sports are likely to cause extra stains.
To help you take on your growing laundry pile, Whirlpool Corporation’s Institute of Home Science cleaning expert Mary Zeitler weighed in on the best ways to wash workout gear and remove your toughest stains:
Washing athletic clothes
Zeitler suggests turning running shorts, yoga pants, lycra and spandex garments inside out before washing. You should also wash these garments in warm — not hot — water, and stay away from liquid chlorine bleach which can break down the fabric.
Dirt and mud
Remove excess dirt and mud from the surface and rinse in cold water before adding to the washer. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment with a gentle detergent and, if necessary, you can follow up with a wash in color-safe bleach for colors or liquid chlorine bleach for whites. For grass stains, Zeitler says to check the care label and soak the garment in a mixture of detergent and water before adding to the warmest wash that’s appropriate for the material.
Sweat and odors
Apply liquid detergent or a pre-treater to help loosen deodorant, which can trap sweat and odors. If the odors persist, you can always send the garment through another cycle before transferring to the dryer.
No matter what kind of stain you’re working with, don’t put your stained clothes in the dryer until you are sure it was successfully removed.
Another way to wash workout gear is to take advantage of the PowerWash System within the Maytag Front Load Washer, which provides great cleaning power and the ability to handle your toughest loads.
For more expert tips on laundry, visit Whirlpool Corporation’s Institute of Home Science.