Welcome to Jaeger Sports Jaeger Sports is a Southern California-based organization dedicated to developing athletes in the three most neglected aspects of the game: Arm Conditioning/Arm Strength, Mental Training and Flexibility/Balance. "If you learn how to trust and commit to your process, the results take care of themselves" — Alan Jaeger Copyright © 1991-2016 Jaeger Sports. Just like your favorite shirt probably requires special attention at the cleaners, your go-to workout gear might also need a little TLC in the laundry room. How you wash and dry your apparel can make the difference between gear that gets you through “I’m on fire!” workouts and sweat sessions that feel a little too…sweaty. “Garment performance and life is dependent on how you care for them,” says Joanne Whiteside-Mayor, senior apparel developer at Reebok. Throwing that high-performance (ahem, and pricy) apparel in with the rest of your laundry can break down its fabric, wreck antimicrobial properties and clog up the fibers so they’re anything but wicking.

To make sure you’re getting the most out of your gear, follow this easy guide. RELATED: The Body-Sculpting TRX Abs Workout We’re not going to lie: Performance fabrics, whether sweat wicking, antimicrobial, compression or ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), are high-maintenance. Luckily, you can follow the same guidelines, no matter the type. What’s more, even with proper care, it’s important to remember that your pieces’ antimicrobial could wear off sometime after you hit the 50-wash mark, says Whiteside-Mayor. That’s because garments with antimicrobial properties owe their smell-fighting powers to topical finishes that are applied to the fabric, she says. As a good rule of thumb, you can expect UPF finishes to last for a good two years with normal wear and tear, says Whiteside-Mayor. If you notice you’re starting to get a tan under a piece of UPF wear, it’s time to throw it out. You’ll want to pay attention to how your garment is wearing over time, too.

“Stretched bands and straps, faded tags, possible chafing spots, and a less-than-fresh scent are all signs it might be time to upgrade your running apparel,” she says. What Color Curtains Go With Olive Green WallsIn other words, time to toss the old and bring in the new.Luxury Portable Toilet Rental Plunged into a muddy puddle on your last long run? Open Source Digital Cinema CameraRepeat after us: Step away from the washing machine. Instead, get out an old toothbrush and bar of soap to scrub away that gunk, recommends Jena Winger, associate product line manager of footwear at Brooks. Submerging shoes in a spin cycle can break down the bits and pieces, cushioning included, that are vital to preventing sports injuries, she says.

RELATED: 3 Quick and Easy Ways to Prevent Running Injuries If it’s sneaker stink that’s the problem, try spraying the interiors with Odor-Eaters or Febreze. You can also stuff them with crumpled up newspaper post-run to absorb excess sweat. Regardless of the state of your shoes, Winger recommends replacing your running shoes every 300 to 400 miles. In the case of both running and cross-training shoes, pay attention to any aches and pains that can’t be attributed to any changes in your training, she notes. If something hurts, it’s a sign that you’re ready for a new pair of sneaks. If you’re just “airing out” your sports bra after the gym, you’re doing it wrong. Just like underwear, you need to wash your sports bras every time you wear them, says Audrey Kirkland, New Balance’s brand manager for sports bras. Doing so will 1) get the fabrics’ fibers back into place for optimum fit, and 2) de-clog the fibers of sweat, salt, dirt and bacteria, which can all build up between the fibers to prevent the bras from breathing and wicking sweat.

RELATED: The Best Sports Bras for Every Activity We hate to break it to you, but you should really start hand washing and line-drying bras, too, Kirkland says. While it may seem like your sports bra is made of steel, it’s actually very delicate and rubbing against other pieces of laundry can cause microscopic abrasions that build up over time. Plus, the heat from the dryer, even if you keep it low, can dry out the lyrca, making your bras way less stretchy than you want them to be. Luckily, since high-performance sports bras are generally designed to wick sweat, they air dry pretty fast, she says. We know that life can get in the way of your hand-washing hopes. So, if you need to throw some sports bras in the washing machine, first place them in a lingerie bag or pillowcase to minimize how much they rub against other clothes, Kirkland says. Add them to your load of delicates and wash them on a gentle cycle, using cold water. (Never wash them with jeans or anything with metal zippers or clasps that can rough-up the bras’ fabric.)

And remember, you won’t want to use any fabric softeners, detergents with dyes or fragrances, or dryer sheets here, either. Opt for “free and clear” detergents or specialty sports washes. Do that and even if you wear them regularly, your sports bras will last a good six months to a year. Kirkland’s tip: Replace them every time you switch out your running and cross-training shoes. Dudes: We hope you’re already washing these after every wear, but it’s also best to either hand wash them or machine wash them on the lowest temperature possible, says Jason Richter, vice president of product marketing at ShockDoctor Sports. Over time, hot water can decrease the waistband and straps’ elasticity, and the last thing you want is to have to adjust and pull up your jockstrap when it starts sagging. If you’ve got a protective cup in yours, take it out and wash it separately, he says. Air dry your jocks or tumble dry them on low, Richter says. Follow those rules and, depending on how frequently you sport your jockstrap, it should last one to two years.