Whether you’re training for a race, lifting weights, doing hot yoga, or working on hitting your daily step count, your activewear is in a constant cycle of sweat, movement, and recovery. Keeping your clothes fresh and maintained can feel exhausting, but that's where HEX Performance steps in. With it being the season of giving, we’re giving you a guide to 12 days of freshness! Daily laundry hacks curated for the athletes who want to keep their gear clean, long-lasting, and ready for whatever your next workout brings!
Day 1: Turn Everything Inside Out
Most sweat, oils, and bacteria sit on the inside of your gear, not the outside. Flipping items inside out helps detergents reach the areas that actually need the deepest clean.
Day 2: Wash ASAP (Same Day if You Can)
Letting sweat-soaked clothes sit creates the perfect environment for odor-causing bacteria. Even a quick rinse before tossing into the hamper can help if you're not washing immediately.
Day 3: Do a Cold-Water Reset
Athletes often overwash or overheat their gear. A cold-water wash protects fabric stretch, sweat-wicking, and overall performance without sacrificing freshness.
Day 4: Never Use Fabric Softener
Softener might feel luxurious, but it clogs fibers and traps odor. For athletic apparel, it’s one of the biggest freshness killers.
Day 5: Pre-Treat Like a Pro
Stains from grass, mud, sports drinks, or post-workout smoothies are easier to remove when treated early. Spray or soak with HEX Stain Remover before washing to prevent setting.
Day 6: Wash Your Gear in Smaller Loads
Performance fabrics need room to move in the wash. Overloading your machine means the detergent can’t circulate, so your clothes won’t fully clean.
Day 7: Add a Booster for a Deeper Clean
Athletes sweat more than the average person, which means odors run deeper. Using a HEX Performance Booster strengthens your wash, removes buildup, and keeps gear feeling brand new.
Day 8: Air Dry Everything Possible
High heat breaks down elastic, ruins fit, and shortens the lifespan of athletic clothing. Air drying is gentler, preserves shape, and keeps fabrics performing the way they should.
Day 9: Clean Your Gear Bag Too
Your duffel or gym backpack absorbs everything your clothes do: sweat, bacteria, and odors. Wipe it down weekly and wash removable inserts or straps to prevent lingering funk.
Day 10: Don’t Rewear Certain Items (Ever)
Socks, sports bras, base layers, and compression pieces are high-contact items that should be washed after every use. This keeps both your skin and gear healthy.
Day 11: Refresh Your Shoes Weekly
Sneakers, this one matters. Sprinkle baking soda inside overnight, wash insoles, and let them air out between workouts to keep your shoes from becoming a source of odor.
Day 12: Use Products Designed for Performance Gear
Traditional detergents leave behind residues that trap sweat and odor inside technical fabrics. Athletes should use a detergent built specifically for performance apparel, one that penetrates deep, removes buildup, and protects fabric technology long-term. That’s where HEX Performance comes in.
Keeping your activewear fresh doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right routine and the right products, your gear can last longer, smell cleaner, and actually perform the way it was designed to. Think of these 12 days as the start of a laundry routine that works just as hard as you do.
