Can You Put a Gym Bag in the Washer?
After a few weeks of working out and throwing my sweaty clothes, socks, and shoes in my bag, it no longer looked new and started to smell gross. It really needed to be washed, but I had no idea how I could wash it. I was hoping I could just put it in the washer, but I didn’t want to ruin my bag. I did a little homework, and discovered that yes you can put most gym bags in the washer.
Washing my bag in the washer was actually much easier than I anticipated, but there are a few things you should know before you just throw yours in the washing machine. You need to know what type of bag you have and how to wash it. If you are not sure if your bag is machine washable, no problem. You should still be able to clean your bag without a whole lot of aggravation.
Is your gym bag machine washable?
The first thing you need to do before you wash anything is read the label. It will tell you everything you need to know about washing your bag. Most bags are made of nylon or polyester. Nylon is a light-weight, moisture-resistant, synthetic material. Polyester is a durable, breathable performance fabric. A bag made of nylon, polyester, or a polyester blend is ideal because sweat and other moisture evaporates instead of getting trapped inside the bag.
If you are not sure if your bag is machine washable, your best bet is to hand wash it in cold water. You should also look over your bag and see if it contains leather on the handles or other areas. Leather should not be washed in the machine. If you are sure your bag is made of nylon, polyester, or a polyester blend, it is safe to wash in your machine.
How to wash your bag in the washer
Clean out your bag first.Empty it completely and shake out any dirt. Wipe it down with a wet rag and dish soap. Then turn your bag inside out and zip it up most of the way.
Prewash your bag first to help get rid of any odor. Set your washer for a small load on a delicate cycle with warm water and a cup of baking soda. If your bag is made of nylon, or you are not sure of the fabric, wash it in cold water. Baking soda will neutralize acidic odors and break down protein-based stains. You can also add a few drops of essential oils during the wash cycle. During the rinse cycle, add half a cup of white vinegar to your water, and rinse on cold. Rinse your bag a second time with just cold water to get rid of the vinegar smell..
Once your bag has been prewashed, it should be ready to wash. Use your favorite detergent run your washer on the delicate cycle with warm water (cold for nylon), and rinse in cold. Once your bag is washed, let it air dry. Do not put your gym bag in the dryer.
What’s the best way to keep your bag clean?
When you go to the gym you wipe down the machines, but then you throw your dirty shoes, smelly clothes, and wet towels in your gym bag. Your gym bag is an ideal place for germs to flourish. If you don’t clean your bag regularly, chances are there are nasty things growing inside your bag which will make it smell bad and can make you sick.
Keep your bag organized! The best way to keep your bag clean is to keep it organized and clean it every time you use it. You want to store your personal items, clean clothes, dirty clothes, and sneakers separately. If you keep food and water bottles in your bag, those should also be stored in a separately, an insulated lunch bag will work perfectly.
Wet towels and clothes will make your bag mold and create odors. Purchase a small wet bag to keep your towels and sweaty clothes in. This way they are not directly touching your bag and will help prevent moisture, odors and bacteria from seeping into your bag. Store your clean clothes separately from your dirty clothes and sneakers.
Keep your smelly shoes in a bag or storage container. Your shoes are the biggest source of odor and bacteria in your gym bag. They probably don’t get washed regularly and contain thousands of bacteria, both on the inside and outside. If you have nothing else to use, store them in a shoe box or plastic bag. You can also purchase washable bags specifically for carrying shoes. A plastic container will also work.
Dump out your bag every time, right away. When you get home from the gym, empty your bag right away. The longer your sweaty clothes and items sit in your bag, the more time your bag has to collect odors. Shake out any dirt and wipe it down with a disinfecting wipe. Open the zippers of your bag and let it air out.
If you shower at the gym, keep all your toiletries in a ziplock bag. This will not only keep things from spilling in your bag, it will keep your personal items free from bacteria. Keep in mind, you are putting deodorant and other items directly on your skin, you don’t want to be spreading bacteria from inside your bag to your body.
Related Questions
How can you keep your gym bag smelling fresh?
Keep some dryer sheets in your bag. Dryer sheets are great for absorbing odors and will keep your bag smelling fresh. Toss a couple new dryer sheets in there every week. You can also place a scent sachet in your bag to absorb odors and make your bag smell better. If you don’t have a sachet you can make one easily. Take a clean sock fill it with white rice and drop a few drops of essential oils like lavender into the rice. Tie the sock off. Shake the rice around and store it in your bag. The rice will help draw away moisture and scent your bag.
Freshen up your bag between washes by spraying your bag with a fabric refresher. If you want something all natural, you can fill a spray bottle with about 10 drops of essential oils and mist your bag. Let the mist absorb into the bag and open the bag to air out.
How often should you wash your gym bag?
There is no rule on how often you should wash your bag, but if you workout regularly, your should clean your bag regularly. Keeping it organized and wiping it down should cut down on germs, but washing it once or twice a month will keep bacteria from growing in it and keep it smelling fresh. If you can’t machine wash it, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe every time you use it.
How can you kill the bacteria in your gym bag?
The bottom of your gym bag may contain thousands of bacteria including Staphylococcus Aura and E. Coli. Even if you wash your bag, you still may be concerned about bacteria. Bacteria in your bag can cause skin infections or make you sick. If you are concerned about bacteria and want to completely eliminate it, wash your bag and then put it in the freezer for a few days. This will kill all the bacteria living in your bag.