The debate surrounding how often gym-goers should wash their exercise clothing has garnered attention, particularly with differing opinions from Australian experts and European guidelines. Earlier this year, the French government, through the Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME), suggested that people were excessively washing their clothes, promoting practices like wearing jeans up to 30 times or sportswear three times before laundering.
However, Australian researcher Dr Carolina Quintero Rodriguez from RMIT has challenged these recommendations, noting that the composition of exercise gear has evolved significantly. While traditional athletic wear often comprised natural fibres such as cotton, today’s garments are predominantly made from synthetic fabrics designed for moisture management, temperature regulation, breathability, and odour control.
According to Dr Rodriguez, these high-performance materials can retain substantial amounts of bacteria after a single use. Hence, she recommends washing synthetic exercise clothing after each wear, although a cold wash is a more environmentally friendly option. On the other hand, those wearing cotton gear can adhere more closely to the French washing guidelines, as natural fibres generally attract fewer odour-causing bacteria, allowing for a few wears before needing to be washed.
For less sweaty activities, like yoga or casual walking, individuals may find they can wear their outfits multiple times without issues. Nevertheless, it’s important to acknowledge that garments can develop unpleasant smells. Dr Rodriguez highlights a direct relationship between bacterial presence and odour intensity, indicating that smelly clothes often signal a need for laundering.
She also emphasises that items like bras, underwear, and socks should be washed after each use for hygiene reasons. Overall, while concerns for environmental sustainability are valid, personal hygiene and the type of fabric used should heavily influence washing practices.