Wearing compression clothing provides numerous benefits, such as reducing swelling and improving circulation.
These clothes help to improve professional athletes' performance and lessen injuries, and they are also helpful for exercise enthusiasts seeking to have better workouts. It's why you will notice many people wearing compression garments.
Below, we examine the various ways to maintain and care for compression garments to ensure their long-lasting quality. Read on to learn more.
How to wash compression clothes
Picking a detergent
Compression shirts are made using materials with fine fibers. To keep them in stellar condition, it's better to use a mild detergent. Strong detergents like bleach will tear the fibers and make the shirt loose, and it's not advisable.
The detergents you use for washing shouldn't contain chlorine or any laundry additives.
If the shirt has plenty of stains, you may feel tempted to use a lot of detergent while washing it. But in reality, you only need to use a small amount.
In addition, avoid using fabric softeners. These tend to form a thin, invisible film that sticks to the shirt's fabric, making it hard to clean. They also create ideal conditions for bacteria to grow.
Using the washer
If you decide to use a laundry machine, place the compression garments inside a mesh bag and put them in the washer. The bag will protect the clothes from sagging or overextending.
Don't use hot water, and always use the general cycle. While cleaning dark-colored garments, set the water temperature to cool and warm for light-colored clothes.
It's preferable to have multiple sets of compression clothes so that after washing, the garments have sufficient time to relax and regain their original shape.
Handwashing
Like the laundry machine, cold water is used for washing and rinsing the compression clothes.
When removing excess water, place the clothes on a dry towel and press it gently; it will absorb the water. Remember never to wring or stretch the compression clothes.
Drying
Compression clothes and pieces should be air-dried. Exposure to direct heat damages and weakens the elastic fibers of the materials.
Whether you decide to lay the clothes flat or hang them, check that they aren't exposed to direct sources of heat like the sun and turn the clothes inside out.
Experts recommend placing a dry towel on a drying rack and then laying your compression clothes on top. Hanging these clothes directly on a pole or rack to dry is ill-advised, as the water's weight will stretch them. Over time, the clothes won't fit as they should.
How often should you wash compression garments?
The cleaning frequency primarily depends on the use. For instance, if you wear a compression shirt while running or doing other physical activities, it will absorb sweat, so you should wash it immediately after use.
For people who wear the clothes while doing normal daily activities, you can wash them after a couple of days, depending on how much you sweat.
General tips for caring for compression garments
Dont keep dirty clothes in your gym bag
After a vigorous and productive yoga class or workout session, you will change and keep the clothes in a gym bag. However, experts advise against it.
A gym bag provides a perfect location for dead skin and sweat to produce bacteria. Instead, it would help if you kept them in a clothes basket.
Wash them inside out.
Compression clothes are designed to hold tightly onto your skin, meaning the inside gets soaked with sweat first, so it's the dirtiest. Washing the garments inside out enables you to get rid of all the sweat.
Besides, it also protects the clothes outside, which typically have more techy fabric with special properties.
Keep the garments fresh.
Your exercise clothes may be stinky after workouts. To get rid of the foul smell, add a little baking soda to the laundry load. Alternatively, soak them in a mixture of vinegar and water.
If you notice that the stench persists, it may be coming from bacteria on the garments. You can counter that by sprinkling lemon juice on the clothes.
Wash separately
Compression garments are made of soft fabrics, which makes them comfortable and elastic but delicate. The fabric will easily wear out when you rub it against hard materials like zippers. It's better to wash and air them separately.
Tackle the lint
If not washed properly, compression garments could develop lint. The fabric peels easily, so you should hand wash the lint before it worsens.
You can use handheld clothing shavers to gather the lint or a dull razer, but be careful not to damage the garment.
Final words
Compression garments are an excellent invention that helps maintain health and enhance athletic ability. However, to optimally enjoy their benefits, you need to wash and care for them properly.
Implement the tips outlined above, and feel free to reach out for more information.
