How to Get Smell Out of Workout Clothes (And Stop It Coming Back)

Q: Can I use vinegar to remove sweat smell?

Vinegar can help sometimes, but it’s inconsistent. Enzyme detergent or oxygen-based cleaners are usually more reliable for sweat and body oils.

Q: Why does the smell come back when I start sweating?

Heat and moisture can reactivate trapped odour compounds and bacteria residue, especially in synthetics that hold onto oils.

Q: Is fabric softener bad for activewear?

Fabric softener can coat fibres, trap residue, and reduce breathability. For performance fabrics, skipping softener is usually best.

If your workout clothes smell “clean” for five minutes and then stink the moment you move, you’re not imagining it. Most of the time it’s not your deodorant, your sweat, or your washing machine “being old”. It’s a mix of bacteria + build-up + fabric behaviour — and it’s fixable.

This guide gives you a tight, practical routine to remove the smell and stop it coming back — plus the longer-term solution if you’re over fighting your laundry every week.

Why activewear can still smell after washing

That “ghost stink” is usually caused by a few things stacking together:

Biofilm & residue: bacteria can cling to fibres and survive quick washes.
Detergent + softener build-up: leftover product traps odour and sweat oils.
Synthetic fibres holding onto oils: the smell “locks in”, then reactivates with heat + sweat.

If you want the deeper explanation (and why this happens so often with synthetics), read: Why Workout Clothes Smell — Even After Washing and Why Synthetic Activewear Smells (And Why It Never Fully Washes Out).

The fastest routine to remove sweat smell (works for most people)

Step 1: Don’t let sweaty gear sit

Dry it out first. A damp ball of clothes = bacteria party. If you can’t wash immediately, hang items to air before they go in the hamper.

Step 2: Do a proper “reset soak” (10–30 minutes)

For stubborn smells, soak before washing. Use one of these:

Enzyme detergent soak (best all-round for sweat/oils)
Oxygen bleach (good for deep odours; follow label directions)

Avoid overdoing vinegar + baking soda experiments together — they can cancel each other out and aren’t as reliable as enzymes/oxygen cleaners.

Step 3: Wash cooler, but longer (and don’t overload)

Choose a cycle that actually gives time for detergent to work (not a 15-min “express”).
Don’t cram the drum — you want water flow through the fabric.
Use the recommended detergent amount (more isn’t better — it often leaves residue).

Step 4: Skip fabric softener (seriously)

Fabric softener coats fibres. That coating can trap oils and odour, and it can also reduce breathability. If you want softness, focus on a good rinse instead.

Step 5: Dry fully (odour loves damp)

If items come out slightly damp and sit in a basket, the smell can return. Airflow matters. Dry completely before storing.

If the smell keeps coming back: do these 3 checks

1) Your machine may need a clean

A washing machine can hold leftover residue and bacteria. Run a hot empty cycle with a washing-machine cleaner or a simple clean routine, then wipe seals and the detergent drawer.

2) Your detergent might be the issue

If you’re using a very gentle detergent (or too much detergent), you can end up with build-up. Try an enzyme-based option for activewear loads and reduce the dose if residue is likely.

3) The fabric might be the problem (not you)

If your gear is mostly synthetic and it’s been through months of sweaty sessions, smell can become a recurring battle. This is why “anti-odour treatments” often disappoint long-term — treatments don’t change the underlying material behaviour.

Read: Anti-Odor Tech vs Natural Fibres and Gym wear smell isn’t you — it’s the wrong fabric.

The “stop fighting laundry” option: why merino changes the game

If you’re training regularly, the best fix is not needing a rescue wash every second day.

Merino helps because it’s naturally odour-resistant and tends to stay wearable longer between washes — which is a performance advantage (and a time advantage).

If you want the full breakdown: Why Merino Activewear Needs Less Washing.

And if you train in sticky conditions, these two connect directly to odour: Merino in Heat & Humidity and Hot Pilates & Yoga: Why Merino Beats Synthetic.

Want less stink + less washing?

Explore Estroni merino pieces designed for breathability and repeat wear.

Shop merino activewear →