by Tina Lehman

Created on: April 28, 2009   Last Updated: May 04, 2009

Technical running clothes are a great asset to a runner. Running clothes do not chafe and do not weigh down with sweat like cotton clothing can. The material wicks away moisture and keeps runners cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The lightweight nature of running clothes makes them easy to layer in cold weather. Because running clothes tend to be expensive, taking good care of them is important. With good care, running clothes can last for years.

Pre-washing

Running clothes should always be dried completely by hanging before being placed in a laundry hamper. Clothes left to dry in a gym bag or back seat will undoubtedly develop a horrible smell. Resist the urge to use a pre-treatment on your running clothes, as it may alter or damage the fabric. Technical clothing is fairly resistant to stains and usually washes clean (smell and all) without harsh pre-treating chemicals.

Washing

Hand washing your running clothes is not necessary because they are usually very durable. You can wash your running clothes in regular cold water. Make sure to wash brightly colored items separately in case the color bleeds. Your best bet is to use a laundry detergent specifically formulated for technical clothing. Using a laundry booster such as borax can help the cleaning power of your detergent, but may not be necessary. Do not use a fabric softener because this will alter the wicking ability of your running clothing. Do not use bleach, as it will weaken the fabric's fibers and shorten the life of your running clothes.

Drying

Do not use a high heat when drying your running clothing, as it can alter the quality of the fabric. Air drying can keep your running clothes in good condition, but is not necessary (I have shorts that have gone through the dryer nearly weekly for years and are still in good shape). Avoid using dryer sheets, because it will put a film on the clothing and alter your clothes' wicking capabilities.

Other care

You should never need to iron your running clothes and do not send them to a dry cleaner.

Use

If you tend to chafe, use a lubricant that is specifically designed for runners (Sports Slick, Body Glide, etc) rather than a petroleum-based lubricant such as Vaseline which can break down technical fabric. Also take care when pinning race numbers to your running clothes, as the fabric tends to snag and pull more readily than cotton which creates holes. Purchasing an elastic racing belt onto which you can attach your race number with a clip is much better than using safety pins.

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