How to Take Proper Care of Your Activewear

Your favourite pieces deserve better than early retirement. Here’s a few simple DIY habits that can keep them looking good and lasting for the long run.

December 7, 2025

Your gear works hard, and it has more life in it than you may expect. A little mindful care can help your activewear hold onto its quality, colour, and shape, allowing it to last many more workouts. Inspired by PUMA’s RE:HACK initiative, here are six simple ideas to reduce wear and tear (and keep that beloved sports bra in the rotation just a little longer).

1. Wash Smarter (Not Harder)

Treat your activewear to gentle care so the fibres live longer.

Try to wash less often by letting items fully air dry between workouts instead of tossing them straight into the washing machine or laundry basket.

When you do wash, always use cold water. Hot water can weaken spandex and technical fibres, making leggings and sports bras lose their stretch that much sooner.

Air dry whenever possible, or use a low heat setting to avoid damage.

Try gentle or sport-specific detergents or make your own: a mix of baking soda, washing soda, and grated castile soap cleans well without being too harsh.

Use mesh laundry bags for delicates to prevent pilling, stretching, and entanglement.

Wash your activewear separately from heavy laundry to prevent rubbing and snags.

Turn everything inside out to protect printed logos and soft outer surfaces from friction damage.

2. Address the Odour in the Room

Keeping odour under control helps prevent overwashing and early disposal.

Boost your clean with essential oils. Experiment with tea tree or lemon oil in sprays or soaks to break down stubborn odours. Spot-clean sweat zones so you don’t have to fully wash your gear every time you use it.

Every now and then, pre-soak your garments in a mild water and vinegar solution to break down sweat buildup.

Try freezing your activewear as a temporary hack to reduce odour between washes.

3. Reduce Wear & Tear

How you handle your activewear affects longevity just as much as washing routines.

Use a towel or mat when sitting or training on rough surfaces like concrete to avoid abrasion and pilling.

Be careful with velcro – like on shoes, gloves, or equipment – because it can instantly fuzz up your leggings and bras.

Rotate your gear. Synthetic fibres need recovery time from stretching and perspiration, so give them a day or two to bounce back after heavy use.

Stop wearing your activewear everywhere (if you can help it). Swap into regular clothes when you are finished training.

4. Repairs & Fibre Maintenance

Quick, simple fixes can keep your gear looking (nearly) as good as new.

Carefully remove pilling using a razor or fabric shavers; always pull the fabric taut to avoid cuts.

Reinforce loose seams and tears early with a small line of stitching. This can prevent waistbands or straps from fully failing and holes from spreading.

Restitch or replace minor elastic issues. Repairing the elastic extends the life of a garment without needing to replace it.

5. Store Your Activewear Thoughtfully

Proper storage protects stretch, shape, and fabric quality over time.

Fold your leggings instead of hanging them. Hanging can cause them to stretch out, especially at the waistband.

UV rays weaken fibres and make the colours fade, so make sure to store your favourite items out of direct sunlight.

Avoid overcrowding and allow proper airflow in your drawers so that moisture and bacteria don’t get trapped.

6. Buy Better to Wear Longer

A long-lasting wardrobe starts with mindful purchases.

Choose pieces made from durable, high-quality fabrics that can handle frequent movement, washing, and long-term wear.

Opt for timeless designs that won’t fall out of style.

Pay attention to construction details like reinforced seams, secure stitching, and supportive elastic, which signal a garment is built to last.

For more tips to keep your beloved PUMA pieces alive and kicking, check out the RE:HACK podcast:

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How to Take Proper Care of Your Activewear

1. Wash Smarter (Not Harder)

2. Address the Odour in the Room

3. Reduce Wear & Tear

4. Repairs & Fibre Maintenance

5. Store Your Activewear Thoughtfully

6. Buy Better to Wear Longer

RE:HACKS

Catch up now speaks more languages

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