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How Do You Hand Wash Athletic Shorts?

Published in Hand Washing Athletic Wear 3 mins read

Hand washing athletic shorts is a gentle and effective way to clean them, helping to preserve their fabric and elasticity. The process involves soaking and rinsing in cool water with a small amount of detergent.

Why Hand Wash Athletic Shorts?

Athletic shorts are often made from technical fabrics designed to wick away moisture and provide flexibility. Machine washing, especially with heat or harsh cycles, can degrade these materials, affecting their performance and lifespan. Hand washing is gentler, making it ideal for delicate sports gear.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hand Washing

Follow these simple steps to hand wash your athletic shorts effectively:

  1. Prepare the Wash Basin: Find a clean sink or basin and fill it with cool water. Cool water is best for technical fabrics as hot water can damage them and set stains or odors.
  2. Add Detergent: Add a squirt of detergent to the water. Use a mild detergent, preferably one designed for activewear or delicates, to avoid residue buildup on the fabric.
  3. Submerge the Shorts: Place your athletic shorts completely into the water, ensuring they are fully submerged.
  4. Agitate Gently: Gently agitate the water with your hands. This helps distribute the soap throughout the water and allows it to penetrate the fabric fibers. Focus on areas that might hold more sweat or dirt.
  5. Soak: Allow the shorts to soak for approximately 30 minutes. This soaking time helps loosen dirt, sweat, and odors without needing vigorous scrubbing that could damage the fabric.
  6. Rinse Thoroughly: Remove the shorts from the soapy water. Rinse them well under running, cool water. Continue rinsing until all soap residue is gone and the water runs clear. Squeeze gently to remove excess water, but avoid wringing, which can stretch or damage the material.

Reference: Add a squirt of detergent to a basin or sink filled with cool water, then submerge the item and gently agitate the water with your hands to distribute the soap. Soak for 30 minutes, then rinse well with running, cool water until the item is no longer soapy.

Tips for Best Results

  • Deal with Odors: For stubborn odors, you can add a quarter cup of white vinegar to the rinse water.
  • Pre-treat Stains: Address any visible stains before soaking by gently spot-treating with a small amount of detergent or stain remover safe for synthetic fabrics.
  • Wash Quickly After Use: Hand wash your shorts as soon as possible after wearing them to prevent sweat and bacteria from setting in.

Drying Your Athletic Shorts

After hand washing and gently squeezing out excess water, lay the shorts flat on a clean towel and roll the towel to absorb more moisture. Then, hang or lay the shorts flat to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat. Heat can damage elastic and technical fibers. Avoid using a dryer if possible.

Benefits of Hand Washing vs. Machine Washing

Here's a quick comparison:

Feature Hand Washing Machine Washing (Standard)
Gentleness Very gentle Varies, can be harsh
Fabric Care Preserves delicate fibers Can degrade technical fabrics
Energy Use Low High
Time More hands-on time required Less hands-on time required
Water Use Generally lower for single items Generally higher for full loads

By following these steps, you can keep your athletic shorts clean, fresh, and in good condition for longer.