Back to school means back to sports seasons. With the fun comes long evening practices, weekend games, and often-smelly sports gear. While you may not fully recover from your family’s hectic schedule until after the big playoffs, there are some things you can do now to keep everything smelling fresh.
Keep a Car Uniform
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevent your car from smelling like a locker room by keeping a “car uniform” on hand for each kid. After your kid’s big game, have them change into a fresh pair of clothes from the car. The car may still stink—especially if you have a few teens piled in your van for pizza after the game—but it will be less potent if the sports gear is tucked away in a bag.
Don’t Forget the Duffle Bags
Duffle bags can usually be washed in your washing machine and air-dried. Be sure to do this periodically since they can retain moisture and smells over time. In between washes, prevent a stale smell by keeping a dryer sheet in the duffle bag. A desiccant pouch can help with any excess moisture buildup and will also help with foul odors.
Find a Good Laundry Soap
A great laundry soap and stain remover is key—especially if you’re dealing with white uniforms. When you look for the best detergent for your needs, be sure to assess if it works well on the fabric you will be washing. Because sportswear is often synthetic, it can be helpful to keep detergent ingredients simple by making your own or seeking out an option made specifically for sportswear.
Avoid Fabric Softener
Most sportswear is made of synthetic fiber that can allow soap and softener to build up over time. To keep your laundry smelling fresh and staying clean, avoid using fabric softener. You may think your fabric softener will keep the laundry smelling fresh, but it will actually cause the fabric to wear and smell dirty long-term.
