Most workout clothes today are made with synthetics, a relatively new fabric, and properly cleaning new fabrics means following some new laundry rules. Sticking to old laundry rules for new fabrics can even damage them or shorten their lifespans, according to experts at HEX, a hypoallergenic laundry detergent designed to properly clean synthetics and other fabrics. (You can always stick to the old rules with your 100 percent cotton sheets and silk blouses.) The expert laundry-doers at HEX shared laundry mistakes many people make with their synthetic workout clothes and fabrics—plus ways to fix them, to make sure those leggings will outlast your current Pilates fixation (and maybe even your next favorite workout). Instead of dryer sheets, use dryer balls (which are more sustainable, anyway) and a detergent like HEX, which prevents static. Try air-drying certain delicates, blouses, and workout clothes, and keep the heat on medium or low for the items that do go into the dryer. If it comes down to it, run two loads in the dryer, instead of one giant load.
