How to wash a sports hijab so it stays fresh

A sports hijab is worn close to your skin and soaked in sweat, often several times a week. Good care keeps it fresh and keeps the mesh and stretch in shape for longer.

After every session

1. Take it off and spread it out. Do not leave it balled up in your gym bag.
2. Rinse it in cool water if you cannot wash it straight away, then hang it to dry.

How to wash it

1. Cold water. Hand wash, or machine wash on a gentle cycle.
2. Use a laundry bag in the machine so the mesh and strings do not snag.
3. Mild detergent, no bleach.
4. Skip fabric softener. It coats performance fibres, which can trap odour and reduce how well the fabric handles sweat.
5. Air dry in the shade. No tumble dryer, and do not iron the mesh.

Always check the care label on your product too.

If it already smells

• Soak it in cool water with a little detergent for 30 minutes before washing.
• Wash it sooner after training next time; sweat left to sit is what causes most odour.
• Make sure it is completely dry before you store it.

How the anti-odour finish helps

The Lite Sports Hijab has an anti-bacterial, anti-odour finish that helps it stay fresher between washes. It works best alongside regular washing, not instead of it.

Inners

Wash mesh inners like the AirFlow Tie-back Inner the same way, after every sweaty session.

Common questions

How often should I wash my sports hijab?

After every sweaty session if you can. At the very least, rinse it and dry it fully before wearing it again.

Can I put my sports hijab in the dryer?

We recommend air drying. Heat can damage stretch fibres and mesh over time.

Why does my sports hijab smell even after washing?

Usually from fabric softener build-up, washing too long after training, or storing it before it is fully dry. A pre-soak and a softener-free wash usually fix it.