Gotta Get that Funk

…OUT OF MY YOGA FABRIC

So you rented a yoga towel for class and when you were down-dogging you noted a slightly pungent aroma wafting from its surface. You try to place the smell and decide it’s reminiscent of your boyfriend’s (insert sport) jock and uniform stench. Now how are you supposed to focus on the zen quality of the teacher’s voice, when your nostril hairs are being fried off? How can you be expected to draw your attention to your inhale, when all that does is bring in more of this nasty air?

Well, I’ve done some research. Activewear and most yoga fabrics are made of technical materials used specifically for repelling water — exactly what you want them to do when you’re sweating all over yourself, but not when you’re trying to wash them. So cleaning these items can present a challenge.

My research included putting various suggested methods for removing that funk and I am happy to share that I’ve successfully de-odorized a towel or two of my own, and perhaps a tri kit and some other stinky stuff I may have discovered. No boyfriend’s jock though. Gotta have the boyfriend for that. But I digress…

I was sold on the powers of Borax for de-scenting. Yes, that stuff your grandma used to use. It’s actually still available on grocery store shelves. I’ve also heard a vinegar solution, baking soda and Oxy Clean too. And I’ve even heard of a studio getting the smell of rental yoga mats by using vodka!? But I did not try that. I mean, seems wasteful, and I’m not that. 😉

Well… after lots of laundry, my formal studies chose vinegar as the the winner when it comes to deodorizing technical fabric. Here’s what I learned:

Before you wash your yoga fabrics, soak them in the sink with one part white vinegar to four parts cold water. Leave them soaking for about 30 minutes, then clean in the washing machine. You can add a little white vinegar to the wash too, if you think they need it.

Also, try to wash them soon after sweating in them, but if you’re unable to get them into a wash cycle just after wearing your activewear, at least hang them on the side of the basket, not thrown into it in a wet clump in it. And if possible, try drying your workout clothes using the power of the sun. The sun’s rays are a natural bacteria deterrent, so hanging your clothes out to dry will help keep them fresh as a daisy, like you!