The last thing on your mind after a long workout is washing your gym clothes. But according to new research published in the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology, it should be — especially if you're exercising in tops and bottoms made with synthetic fabrics, which are a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria called Micrococcus.
In the study, researchers asked 26 healthy individuals wearing a variety of cotton, synthetic, and mixed-cotton synthetic T-shirts, to participate in an intensive hour-long spinning session. Afterwards, they sealed their T-shirts in plastic bags and placed them in a dark corner.
Twenty-eight hours later, seven new participants were asked to smell and rate the shirts based on the intensity of smell. No big surprise here: Researchers found that the shirts made of polyester had a mustier, sourer scent because they had higher levels of micrococci.
So now instead of leaving those sweaty clothes in the hamper overnight, add one more step to your exercise routine by tossing them in the wash right away. We hear it's a pretty great arm workout.
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