After my last post debating whether or not it is a good idea to run shirtless in a race and let it all hang out, I got to thinking some of the reasons mentioned in favor of doing so.
•The fact that no one actually cares that much about you as a stranger and your decision to go topless.
•The whole aspect of feeling more comfortable in the heat- closer to naked on hot days = feel cooler.
•Less clothing= less laundry to do. YAY!!
The last point got me thinking. Is it ok to wear running attire more than one time without washing it first?
For Tuesday's run I wore the same shorts I wore for Mondays run. Is that bad? I mean like I don't think I smelled or anything.
Verdict:
Post 3x1 mile repeats for a total of 6 sweaty, speedy, sticky miles, I don't think I smelled any more like a deli sandwich than had I worn fresh shorts. And the people in the gym weren't complaining about me- so maybe this time it was ok?
If my sports bra, shorts whatever smelled or got too sweaty the day before, then certainly I wouldn't wear them again without washing first.** I just want to avoid doing a whole load of running laundry at the end of the week- 5 shirts, 5 shorts, 5 sports bras + all the regular clothes add up to a lot of stuff!
What do you think?
Should running clothes be washed before the next workout, or can you get an additional wear out of them before they head to the cleaners?
Im going to evaluate the clothes on a "case by case" stink basis this summer.
-Underwear should never be worn more than once without a wash. Just saying.
*They are special Track & Field brand shorts from Brasil (Thanks L!) T&F is like the Brasilian equivalent of Lululemon except way cuter & way more color/style choices- but still just as $$$.
**In the winter I'll wear the same tights-sports bra-base layers multiple times because you don't sweat when it's 20 degrees out, right? Ha
Life Pro Tip: After a run, throw the cloths in the shower with you, sud them up and rinse them out. Hang them to dry for a day. You can alternate between outfits and be sure there is no smell, or at least not as strong. Or just do a soapy rinse in the sink and hang them to dry.
ReplyDeleteThis is mostly for shorts. They get a lot more sweat without a shirt on. But I'll toss the wickering shirts in there too.
That is a brilliant idea! Thanks for the life pro tip :)
DeleteI do this with shorts sometimes
Deletelol never thought of that!
DeleteIcebreaker merino shirts are supposedly stink-free. According to what I've heard, you could theoretically work out in them 30 days in a row and they won't smell. I would not recommend wearing them in hot weather, however as they hold the sweat more than normal tech shirts.
ReplyDeleteSounds like interesting technology that I'll have to look into for next winter :) too bad they don't make shorts with the same sink fighting ingredients.
DeleteI definitely like the case-by-case approach. I re-wear sports bras if they don't smell because I have a limited amount and, like you, don't want to do laundry several times a week. I don't re-wear shirts because I have so many of them that they can sit in the laundry for a while, and pants/shorts..... yeah, that's case by case for sure.
ReplyDeleteWe are twins :) I tend to reuse the sports bras/ shorts because they are my favorites- (not like I don't have others... But I like some better than others- and a little dried sweat wouldnt stop me) The shirts can pile up for me too sice I've got too many :)
DeleteIf I didn't really sweat like crazy in running clothes, I have been known to recycle:)
ReplyDeleteI always hang my sweaty clothes to dry even if they're going in the wash, so they don't get a musty smell. That said, once they are dry they are usually good for another wearing.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I usually just toss them in a basket where they stay damp for a few days.
DeleteI like the less clothing = less laundry comment. Never thought of it that way before. I am guilty of wearing some of my workout clothes twice. As long as they don't smell, I think it is acceptable.
ReplyDeleteThat's my rule of thumb too- if it's not stinky then It's good to go again :) it's totally acceptable- just don't tell my BF I do that- he'd tell me I'm crazy :)
DeleteAgain, I have to go back to Houston vs Sidney, NE. In Houston, in the summer I could NEVER wear the same thing twice without washing. My clothes were so disgusting from any distance run due to high volume of sweat that it was just impossible. It was so bad that I started putting the clothes to dry outside then KEEP them in one of those hole-y laundry bags on the porch until time to dry them. Here I wear everything more than once that I run in because I don't sweat hardly ever. If I do I will rewear my C9 jog bras again after hanging them to dry.
ReplyDeleteYou are right on! The humidity and heat definitely plays a large part in the reuse ability of the clothes. I can relate to your Houston days- when I lived in Florida I'd be totally soaked and gross after a 3 mile run.. Now in Chicago the humidity isn't bad most of the time so the clothes stay a little drier. And you are a badass for training for those marathons in the Houston heat and humidity.
DeleteI'm a case by case as well. I've certainly done it but have had some cases where it wouldn't be comfortable for anyone to re-wear a few of the very stinky items!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a case by case- after a long run those clothes need to definitely hit the wash- but a short easy run on a nice day- why wash them? It probably prolongs the life of the elastic to not subject them to detergent and the washing machine. (I never dry my shorts or sports bras in the dryer)
DeleteDefinitely case by case for me too. I tend to re wear a lot more in the winter too, sometimes even if they stink since I have a limited number of tops I love to wear and tights too.
ReplyDeleteGood debate :). Totally case by case for me, usually I wear workout bottoms a couple times unless I get super super sweaty in them. Sports bras and tops usually always go in the wash after sweating in them once. But then again, who cares if you workout wear is stinky since you are just going to go sweat in it again? ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your thinking! You're just going to get stinky anyways, so what does it matter!? Love it!
DeleteI usually reuse the bras and immediately toss the shorts in the wash.. Until yesterday it was rare for me to reuse shorts.. Tights for sure!
I especially appreciate the added "undies shouldn't be worn more than once".
ReplyDeleteI sometimes wear clothes again, and even pull them out of the dirty laundry bin. I figure I'm just gonna get dirty anyhow and in the end I will smell regardless. So why not start the run already a bit stale? I've actually gone for pm runs, slept in my running clothes, then went for another run in the am in the exact same outfit. No shame. I probably just aired my dirty laundry, pun intended, but hey I hate HATE laundry!
I guess to me I try to wash anything that has touched skin while sweating - I wear underwear under my shorts, so really my shorts don't really touch skin. That is the only thing that I wear more than once. Mainly, I want to avoid any possible skin rashes.
ReplyDeleteI sweat way too much down there and I stink (I swear) without stinking. I have asked good friends before and they never say I stink, but I feel like I do.
ReplyDeleteI definitely recycle! I hate doing laundry and hey, we're doing our part to save the planet by using less water, right? I just try to hang stuff up so it dries out and that seems to help keep things fresh(er). :)
ReplyDeleteI feel left out, I can't do case by case like the rest. I am super stinky sweater and have to wash most things after wearing them once. Even in the winter!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Kim - I'm a stinky sweater and I pretty much have to wash everything after wearing it once. (If I ever did Ragnar, it would not be pretty.) If I do a 3-miler or shorter, I might be able to get away with rewearing the shirt, but the bottoms definitely need to get washed. I do feel the pain of more running equaling more laundry, though. Not that I need any incentive to be lazy, LOL.
ReplyDelete