How to Wash and Care for Fightwear (So It Lasts)
Fightwear takes a beating: sweat, friction, constant stretching and repeated washes.
If you wash it like a normal cotton tee, two things happen fast: it starts holding smell, and it loses shape (or feels “tired” and rough).
Here’s the simple care routine that keeps rashguards, MMA shorts, and training tees fresh and lasting longer.
The best rule: don’t leave it in your bag
The quickest way to ruin fightwear is leaving it sweaty in your gym bag overnight.
Do this instead:
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Hang it up as soon as you get home
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Wash it the same day (or next morning at the latest)
Even if you can’t wash immediately, airing it out helps massively.
How to wash rashguards (step-by-step)
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Turn inside out
This protects the outer finish and helps sweat/skin oils wash out properly. -
Wash cold or low temperature
High heat breaks down stretch fibres over time. -
Use a small amount of detergent
Too much detergent leaves residue that can trap odour. -
Skip fabric softener
Fabric softener coats performance fabrics and can hold smell. -
Air dry if possible
Tumble drying on high heat shortens the life of stretch fabrics. If you must tumble dry, keep it low.
Care Guide:
https://deusfightwear.com/pages/care-guide
How to wash MMA shorts
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Close any velcro (if your shorts have it) so it doesn’t chew other items
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Wash inside out
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Avoid high heat drying
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Don’t overload the machine (better rinse = less lingering smell)
Pro tip: wash fightwear with similar fabrics (rashguards/tees) rather than heavy towels or denim.
How to stop fightwear smelling (even after washing)
If kit still smells “off” after a wash, it’s usually detergent build-up plus bacteria in the fibres.
Try this reset once a month:
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Do a rinse cycle first (no detergent)
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Then a normal wash on cool/low temperature
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Air dry fully
Also:
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Never re-wear kit that’s only half-dry
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Make sure everything fully dries between sessions
Stains and hard sessions
If you get sweat marks or minor stains:
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Rinse cold first
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Spot-clean gently
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Then wash normally
Hot water can set some stains. Cold first is your friend.
How often should you wash fightwear?
Every session. Even if it “doesn’t smell”, it’s still carrying sweat and bacteria.
Storage tips
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Don’t keep clean fightwear in a sealed bag
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Keep it somewhere breathable
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Rotate kit if you train often (two sets minimum makes life easier)
Shop Men’s MMA & Gym Clothing UK:
https://deusfightwear.com/collections/mens-mma-clothing-uk
View Full Catalogue:
https://deusfightwear.com/collections/mma-clothing-uk
FAQs
Can I tumble dry a rashguard?
Better to air dry. Heat shortens the life of stretch fibres over time.
Should I use fabric softener on fightwear?
No — it can trap odour and reduce performance.
How do I get stubborn smell out of rashguards?
Air kit out ASAP, reduce detergent, add an extra rinse, and make sure it fully dries. The monthly reset wash helps.