Nike Dri-FIT Ultimate Washing Guide

Nike was founded by Phil Knight, a track athlete, in 1964. Based in Eugene, Oregon, the company -originally called Blue Ribbon Sports – operated as a distributor for Onitsuka Tiger.

It wasn’t until 1971 that they launched their own line of footwear; their Swoosh logo was also adopted that same year.

Nowadays, they are one of the largest U.S. corporations by total revenue. Valued at nearly $30 billion, the company operates hundreds of stores around the globe.

Nike Activewear Clothing

Nike is perhaps best known for its footwear. Not only do they sell sneakers but they also sell specialized sports shoes such as those for tennis, golf, football, running, and skateboarding.

In recent years, they’ve also become popular for their workout clothes. For instance, they offer tracksuits, compression layers, swimwear, and shorts for both men and women. They also have a wide collection for children.

Proprietary Fabrics Used by Nike Activewear

Most of the sportswear offered by Nike is made from synthetic fabrics. Here’s what you need to know:

Dri-FIT

Dri-FIT is a high-performance fabric that is made from polyester and microfiber, which gives it moisture-wicking properties.

Their Dri-Fit clothes include shirts, pants, sweatshirts, socks, shorts, hats, and more.

Tech Fleece

Tech fleece offers both comfort and warmth and is perfect for lounging or light workouts. It also comes with an inner foam layer that enhances the functionality of the fleece.

Tech Knit

The Tech Knit collection was engineered for breathability and warmth. Created by a team of knitting machine technicians, yarn specialists, and computer programmers, it features a rich texture, which is the result of combining cotton with nylon.

How to Wash Nike Dri-FIT Sports Bras

Nike sells a variety of sports bras for women. Here are a couple of ways to wash them:

Washing Nike Active wear Sports Bras in the Washer

Their sports bras can safely be put in the washing machine. To prevent the elastic from wearing out, it’s a good idea to put them in a mesh laundry bag – that will also help to prevent snagging. You can wash them with other sportswear as long as they are of similar colors.

Load them into the machine and add a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent. Avoid adding too much; that will make it difficult to rinse out later.

Wash the sports bras with cold water on a gentle cycle. Avoid using hot water as the high temperature can cause damage to the elastic. Skip the fabric softener.

Carefully take the bras out once the cycle is complete. Drape them over a rack or hang them up to dry. Do not put them in the dryer.

Hand Washing Nike Sports Bras

Fill a sink with cool water and create a soapy mixture by adding a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent. Put your sports bras in, ensuring that they are properly submerged.

Let them sit and soak for at least 15 minutes.

Wash them individually afterward by rubbing the material against itself. Continue until the bras are clean.

Rinse off the soap with water once they’re clean. You can either do so in another container or under the faucet.

Repeat until the water becomes clear. When you’re done, place the sports bras on a dry towel. Gently press down to squeeze out some of the water. Never twist or wring the bra; that will easily damage the elastic. Avoid putting it in the dryer.

Pro-tip: For stains, apply a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent directly to the spot. Using a soft brush or your finger, gently rub it into the fabric. Once it has soaked through, let it sit in the soapy mixture. From there, you can hand wash it as normal.

Washing Instructions for Nike Dri-FIT Leggings, Tights and Pants

How to Wash Nike Leggings, Tights and Pants in the Washer

For the best results, turn the bottoms inside out; that will not only prevent the logo from peeling off, but will also make it easier to get rid of the body oils and sweat.

Choose a delicate cycle and wash the leggings and pants with cold water and ACTIVE Detergent.

Avoid using hot water as that will cause the fibers to break down prematurely. Take the items out when the cycle is complete and hang them up to air dry.

Do not put them in the dryer; the high temperature can cause them to shrink. Avoid using dryer sheets.

How to Wash Nike Leggings, Tights and Pants by Hand

The leggings, tights, and pants can also be washed by hand. Fill a sink with water and pour in a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent.

Place the items in after dissolving the powdered detergent. While you can wash multiple pairs at once, be careful not to overload the sink.

Once they’re fully submerged, let them sit in the soapy solution for at least 15 minutes. If there are noticeable stains, apply a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent to the spot; gently rub it into the fabric before soaking the item.

Do not twist or wring the material. Pat the pants dry with a clean towel and hang them up on a clothesline to dry.

Easiest Ways to Clean Nike Swimwear

Hand Washing Nike Swimwear

The best way to wash your Nike swimsuit is to do so by hand. Begin by filling a sink or tub with cold water.

Carefully pour in a scoop of ACTIVE Laundry Detergent; mix by swirling the liquid with your hand. Turn your swimsuit inside out and put it into the solution. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.

Gently swirl it around in the sink with your hand. When you’re done, rinse it with water. Avoid wringing or twisting motions as that will damage the synthetic fibers.

Instead, gently squeeze out the water. Lay it flat to dry; you can also allow it to drip dry. Never put them in the dryer; that will weaken the elastic.

Pro-tip: Want to prolong the life of your Nike swimsuit? If so, be sure to rinse it out with tap water after you take it off; this will remove most of the dirt, sweat, and sunscreen from the fabric before you wash it.

Machine Washing Nike Swimwear

Rinse the swimsuit with water before putting it in the machine – that will help to get rid of some of the chlorine, sunscreen, and sweat.

Turn the swimsuit/trunks inside out and put them in a mesh laundry bag to protect the elastic. If necessary, you can add a few towels into the load to fill it out—they’ll also provide extra padding.

Pour in a small amount of ACTIVE Detergent and wash on a cold wash cycle on a delicate setting. Skip the spin cycle if you can (some of the newer machines come with this option). Take the swimsuits out when the cycle is finished.

Do not put them in the dryer—that’s the easiest way to ruin them. Hang dry instead.

How to Wash & Deodorize Nike Headbands

Nike offers headbands that are designed to keep sweat away from the eyes. To prevent them from smelling, it’s a good idea to wash them regularly.

The easiest way to clean them is to toss them into the wash with the rest of your gym clothes – as well as your gym bag. A little bit of ACTIVE Detergent and they’ll be ready for your next workout.

Alternatively, you can wash them in the sink with a bit of soapy water. Simply soak them for 15 minutes before rinsing with cold water.

Hang dry. Do not tumble dry; that can cause the cotton to shrink (they’re usually made from a cotton/nylon mix).