Anyone who works out knows how big the pile of laundry gets at the end of the week.
But experts tell DailyMail.com that there are certain pieces of clothing that you can actually wear again without washing — and without fear of smelling bad.
Workout clothes are usually made of synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon, which contain more bacteria than other fabrics.
Those made from natural fabrics such as wool and cotton, such as some sports tops, base layers and sweatpants, do not trap as many bacteria as possible, which means they can be worn twice.
Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State University, made the recommendation. She also warned people to be careful with sports bras and leggings, as they can absorb moisture and become a hotbed for yeast.
Workout clothes are usually made of synthetic materials that trap sweat and increase bacteria growth
Dr. Massick said: ‘Natural fibers don’t need to be washed as often, but most workout clothes today are made from synthetic fibers. [that] although advertised as “breathable”, they often are not and can trap moisture.’
When you sweat, it mixes with certain types of bacteria that naturally live in the skin.
These bacteria are known as normal flora, which help to fight off more harmful species. Because sweat mixes with normal flora, that moisture causes bacteria to multiply.
Pores also open when you sweat, allowing bacteria to seep deeper into the skin.
“Exercise is likely to make you sweat,” Dr. Massick told DailyMail.com.
Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told DailyMail.com to limit wearing gym clothes to just two times before washing
“With heat and exercise, both your apocrine and eccrine glands will secrete perspiration and body odor.
“Your clothes absorb this moisture and smell, and this gets worse if the clothes stay damp and don’t dry out.”
‘Even with “breathable” fabrics you will perspire under these clothes.’
You may especially want to wash your sports bras and leggings, she added.
This is because the fungal yeast thrives in humid areas. If you place sweat-soaked clothing in areas prone to yeast infections, such as the groin and under the breasts, those areas of the body will have higher yeast concentrations.
“I would definitely avoid re-wearing sweaty socks or sports bras — just make sure you stock up on several so you can alternate between them and not be forced to re-wear,” said Dr Massick.
The symptoms of a yeast infection depend on where it is located.
Under skin folds, such as the breasts, you may notice a rash, pimples, itching or burning, and spots that ooze clear fluid, according to Johns Hopkins. Genital yeast infections cause discharge, redness, and an itching or burning sensation.
And while most normal flora is harmless, certain types that grow by harboring sweat can have serious health consequences.
Staphylococcus bacteria, which is usually found on the skin or in the nose, is one of them. This causes staph infections, which can be fatal if they enter the bloodstream.
Staph infections can cause skin infections, food poisoning and bacteremia – a bloodstream infection.
A particularly dangerous form of worker infection is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which does not respond to many antibiotics.
In addition, those prone to inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis may experience a flare-up from wearing activewear again, as sweat clogs pores.
‘There are some people who tend to sweat more or do intense workouts where daily washing of gym clothes is a must to avoid skin irritation and rashes,’ said Dr Massick.
If you’re going to wear your casual clothes again, Dr. Massick recommends keeping them on no more than twice before throwing them in the wash. To keep clothes fresher for longer so you can wear them again, wear deodorant before a workout, avoid excessive heat, and hang the clothes to dry.
And if you’re not sure you can wear it again, “My general rule of thumb is if you’re in doubt, just wash it,” said Dr. Massick.