Caring for Your Tennis Clothes

There's no getting around it: Tennis is a sweaty game. Whether you're playing at a competitive level or you've just started learning, any good workout on the court is going to put your tennis clothes through the wringer. We've got some helpful tips on keeping your tennis duds in the best shape possible for years of looking good and performing even better!

Tennis Skirts or Shorts

Whether you're washing skirts or shorts, the first step is to zip them, button them, and close any other fasteners before washing. It'll help prevent snags, tears, or pulls. Also, turning them inside out will protect the fabric and directly expose the sweatiest parts of the clothing to the soapy water for a deeper clean. The gentle cycle with cold water is usually the best way to go, but check the labels for any special instructions. When it comes to drying, letting them air dry on a rack or clothesline is a much better option than using a dryer. It means less wear and tear, plus it's better for maintaining elasticity on waistbands.

Shirts

Shirts tend to get the sweatiest, and it's best practice to put them in the washer as soon as possible after leaving the court. If you can't get them in the wash right away, let them dry out a bit before throwing them into the hamper - leaving them in a damp heap will let the sweat penetrate more deeply and make them tougher to clean. If you're working with shirts made of moisture-wicking fabric, running a cold water wash on the gentle cycle and air-drying is the way to go. If the shirts are cotton, it's a good idea to spray any particularly sweaty areas with a laundry pre-treatment spray to prevent staining, then follow the same procedure. Regardless of the fabric type, once again be sure to fasten any buttons, snaps or zippers, and turn them inside out before washing.

They get so incredibly sweaty, but you hardly ever clean your hats or visors. It's time to remedy that! Grab your hats that desperately need a good washing, and find a large sink or basin that can accommodate all of them. Add a few drops of laundry detergent to the basin and fill it with warm water. With some laundry pre-treatment spray, spritz the inside of the hats and let it absorb, then submerge them in the water. Let them soak for two to four hours, depending on how many hats you're cleaning and how dirty they are. Once they finish soaking, drain the water and rinse each one thoroughly with cold running water. After gently squeezing out some of the water, carefully reshape them, and set them on a laundry rack to dry. Placing a bunched-up hand towel inside a cap is a good way to maintain its shape.

Follow these simple tips, and you'll keep your clothes looking as good as your game!