Detergents for sportswear

It's not practical to wear everyday clothes for sports—lightweight, stretchy, and breathable items are essential. Washing this type of underwear is also different from regular laundry: it's important to choose detergents suitable for membrane fabrics. Otherwise, the material will be damaged and lose its useful properties. We suggest exploring the best detergents for washing sportswear. A review of the best formulas will help you choose.

Use liquid products

The first rule when washing sportswear is to forget about regular powders. It is better not to use dry mixtures at all, since the granules do not have time to dissolve in cold water, settle in the fabric fibers and damage its structure from the inside. At a minimum, white spots appear on things; at a worst, the membrane becomes clogged, stops “breathing,” steams, rubs, and causes allergies.

Manufacturers recommend forgetting about powders and turning to liquid detergents. There's plenty to choose from – stores offer hundreds of brands and formulations. However, some of these concentrates have already been tested for effectiveness.

• The brand has a special product for sportswear that effectively and safely cleans thermal underwear, membrane fabrics, neoprene, lycra, and even shoes. It's a biodegradable gel containing anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and enzymes. Suitable for both machine and hand washing, it's sold in 750 ml bottles. Price: $1.60–$2.50.
• Clean Home is a universal antibacterial gel for sportswear. It's suitable for all types of laundry, including white and colored laundry, made of synthetic or natural fibers. It's phosphate-free, and its cleaning effect is achieved with anionic and nonionic surfactants. In addition to excellent cleaning, this product eliminates odors and gently disinfects clothing. It costs approximately $2.70 per liter.

To wash membrane clothing, you need gel-based detergents that can gently clean the fabric, preserve its color and water-repellent properties.

• Meine Liebe. The manufacturer's line includes a liquid concentrate for cleaning sportswear. Machine and hand washable, it's economical and biodegrades easily. It contains a special conditioner that preserves the fabric's breathability and water-repellent properties. One bottle is enough for 15-20 cycles. Price: $2.70–$3.85.
• Tide Color. A universal laundry gel that's also suitable for cleaning sportswear. This inexpensive enzyme concentrate tackles even the toughest stains and odors. Its advantage is that there's no need to purchase a separate product. Its special formula preserves fabric colors. Available in 1.2-2.5 liter containers for $4-$12.
• BioMio Bio-Sensitive with cotton extract. Another universal product, suitable for washing any type of laundry, regardless of purpose or color. This gel cleans and softens perfectly, allowing you to save on bleaches and fabric softeners. The concentrate also boasts a biodegradable and hypoallergenic formula that is free of fragrances and phosphates. A 1.5-liter bottle, priced at $4.90–$6.50, is enough for 40 washes.
• Purox Color. Effectively fights stains even at 30 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for washing sportswear. The gel dissolves quickly, leaves no streaks, and does not damage the fabric membrane. It is environmentally friendly, phosphate-free, and preserves the color of laundry perfectly. Price: 1 liter for $2–$5.
• Frosch Apple. A liquid detergent for colored laundry, its gentle formula and color protection feature make it suitable for use on sportswear. Suitable for machine and hand washing black, dark, and colored items. It's economical and leaves behind a light apple scent. Contains anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and enzymes. Sold in 2-liter bags for $7–$10, depending on the supplier.

When searching for a detergent for membrane items, it's important to look for a gentle formula and the ability of the active ingredients to work in cold water. Color retention, odor control, biodegradability, and hypoallergenic properties are excellent bonuses. Pay special attention to consumption: the more economically the concentrate is used, the more cost-effective the purchase.

Products for membrane clothing

Once you've figured out how to wash sportswear, there's no stopping there. Even choosing a gentle and safe detergent does not protect membrane fabric from losing its original properties: with frequent washing, the fibers suffer and require restoration. Therefore, it is necessary to use special impregnations.

You can restore the water-repellent properties of membrane fabric using a special impregnation!

• SIBEARIAN "Go! Outdoor Membrane." A high-tech product that restores membrane structure and protects clothing from water and dirt. Its unique formula creates an ultra-thin polymer "film" on the fabric that allows air to pass through while trapping external dust and moisture. It works without heat activation—just spray the garment and let it dry. The spray costs $7.99 for 250 ml. Recommended for use on Gore-Tex, Sympatex, eVent, and similar materials.
• ANTILIQ "Membrane." Suitable for all types of membrane fabrics, it restores damaged structure and restores water-repellent properties. It activates within 20 minutes of application to clothing, creating a polymer "shell" several nanometers thick. The impregnation prevents dirt from penetrating the fibers and prevents the formation of salt stains. Sold as a spray with a 150 ml dispenser. Price: approximately $2.99.
• Nikwax "TX.Direct Spray-On" is used to restore membrane or breathable nylon fabrics, as well as raincoats, capes, and items with multi-component insulation. It can be applied to both wet and dry items, protecting fibers from moisture, dirt, and stains. It is made in the UK and costs $6.60 for a 300 ml spray.
• Grangers "Wash & Repel." A combination product that cleans and impregnates in one. Effectively removes stains, restoring the water-repellent and breathable properties of sportswear and outdoor gear. Simply add it during cleaning instead of your regular gel. Available in 0.3L or 1L bottles, the required amount is measured using the included measuring cap. Price: $10–$20.
• SIBEARIAN "Protect" is a universal impregnation suitable for footwear, clothing, equipment, and accessories made of leather, nubuck, nylon, and membrane fabrics. By creating a film, the product protects against water, dirt, chemicals, and salt without affecting the garment's breathability or leaving streaks. It activates immediately after drying, within 10-20 minutes of application. Contains no silicone, only isopropyl alcohol, butyl acetate, silicon dioxide and fluorinated copolymer. It costs about $5.99 for a 150 ml spray with a dispenser.

Almost all impregnations can be applied immediately before putting on the item – the unique composition is activated within 10-20 minutes after treatment.

Exercising is more comfortable if the membrane underwear you wear is breathable, smells pleasant, and doesn't cause irritation or allergies. Therefore, it's important to wash your workout clothes properly, choose the right detergents, and remember to use special impregnations.

   

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