How to take care of your sportswear

It is important to pay attention to the care instructions of each garment. With correct care, we are able to prolong the life cycle of our clothes and make them more sustainable. On this page, you´ll find care instructions and useful information about sportswear.  

Each material requires a bit different kind of care but with general care instructions, you will be able to go a long way already:

Clothes should be washed only when they are actually dirty

How we take care of our clothes equals about 30% of the ecological footprint of the clothing. Most ecological clothes are those that need only a little of washing. Brushing with clothing brush, removing the dirt and stains, and airing or freezing is enough in most of the cases for many of our clothes.  

Plastic microfibers are also a real problem with synthetic sportswear so limiting the washing will also help to limit the amount of plastic ending up into water systems and in nature. 

Skip fabric softener to protect your clothes, you, and the environment

Yes, fabric softener will make your clothes feel softer and fluffier but there are so many downsides that we recommend ditching the softener right away.  

Especially when used on clothing containing elastane and nylon (such as leggings and many other sportswear), fabric softener can leave a residue that dulls the item's finish and attracts odor-causing bacteria. Fabric softeners often contain a powerful combination of chemicals that can harm your health and damage the environment.

Skip tumble drying to save energy and your clothes

Tumble drying causes rubbing, wear, color fading, shrinkage and break down of your clothes. Air-dry the clothes instead. It not only saves a lot of energy and money but really increases the longevity of your clothes. Air-drying helps also reduce static which is one of the reasons why fabric softener is unnecessarily used.

Switch to eco-friendly detergent

Environmentally friendly cleaning products are as effective as other soaps and detergents and they are free from any harmful chemicals or pollutants and are devoid of harmful toxins as well. The natural laundry detergent or soap is just better for you and your health and it’s also better for the environment.

Read also our Bee good blog article about our care products and how to use them>>

Care instructions for merino and wool clothing

• Wool repel dirt and odors so airing is usually enough, even when the garment has been soaked in sweat. Hang it outside or in your bathroom for overnight and it’s good to go again!
• If needed, wash your wool knits in max 40˚C in a gentle or a wool cycle. Use a gentle spin cycle.
• Turn garment inside out, close zippers, strings and buttons before washing
• For removing stains, use gall soap. You can also try to remove stains by brushing the fabric gently.
• Don’t use fabric softener, don’t tumble dry
• After washing, gently stretch back to its original shape and put it to dry.
• Wool knits are best to dry horizontally on a towel.
• When not in use, protect wool knits from moths and beetles by storing it in an airtight plastic bag or in a closable plastic container.
• Before putting to storage, you can also protect your wool clothing by freezing them in a freezer or outside in the cold. 
• Wool clothing can develop a small amount of lint with use, which is perfectly normal for a garment. If necessary, you can gently remove the lint with a lint remover or lint comb.

Care instructions for organic cotton clothing

• Wash in a washing machine with similar colors in a 40˚C
• Turn garment inside out, close zippers, strings and buttons before washing
• For removing stains, use gall soap
• Don’t use fabric softener, don’t tumble dry
• After washing, stretch back to its original shape and put it to dry

Care instructions for waterproof clothing

• Follow the care instructions of each garment. Different materials and fabrics may require a different kind of care.
• A waterproof garment should be washed regularly to preserve its functionality; follow the instructions on the product.
• Before washing, use a brush or soft sponge to remove heavy soiling. 

Care instructions for Gore-Tex shell

• Maintain the optimal performance by keeping the material free of dirt.
• Wash in warm water, approx. 30˚C - 40˚C with a small amount of mild detergent.
• Before washing close the zippers and turn the garment inside out.
• Minimize spinning and do not use fabric softeners or stain removers.
• Once dry, tumble dry or iron the garment on a gentle setting to reactivate the durable water repellent treatment. If ironing, protect the garment with a towel in between.
• Repeat the heat treatment when the water drops no longer remain on the shell, at latest.
• Always follow the care instructions on the garment.

Care instructions for windproof clothing

• Follow the care instructions of each garment. Different materials and fabrics may require a different kind of care.
• A windproof garment should be washed regularly to preserve its functionality; follow the instructions on the product.
• Before washing, use a brush or soft sponge to remove heavy soiling. 
• Turn the garment inside-out when you wash it.
• Wash with similar colors.
• Don’t use fabric softener, don’t tumble dry
• Reshape the garment while wet.

Care instructions for synthetic activewear materials (elastane, polyamide, nylon)

• Follow the care instructions of each garment. Different materials and fabrics may require a different kind of care.
• After a sweaty workout, wash your activewear as soon as possible. 
• Wash with similar colors. 
• We recommend using the Guppyfriend washing bag.
• Don’t use fabric softener, don’t tumble dry or dry your activewear in the sunlight.