The medical practitioners very often prescribe compression garments like compression pants and shorts. The chief purpose of compression garments is to act as a second layer of skin above the weakened skin to provide resistance.
Now, the compression garments have made their way into the sports industry as well.
Why Should I Wear Compression Garments?
Compression garments increase the blood circulation and support muscles.
Compression garments also improve the flexion and extension of worn parts. Also, compression clothing makes it easy for your muscles to heal after a strenuous exercise.
Compression garments also help to remove the lactate from the blood, a byproduct that ensures muscle burning during a rigorous exercise.
This fact is backed by the research done by the Australian researchers on the rugby players.
They wore waist-to-ankle tights while running on the treadmills during a cool-down period.
If you come to the compression sportswear, they are designed in such a way that they keep your muscles warm. Hence, one can avoid the muscle soreness and fatigue that often appears due to continuous strength training exercises.
The benefits of this effective piece of clothing are not over yet. Compression sportswear also absorbs the sweat away to avoid extreme rashes and rubbing.
Check out our compression apparel to enhance your athletic abilities.
How to Care For Your Compression Garments?
You don’t clean it just to keep away germs and bacteria. The most crucial reason for their ultimate cleanliness is to maintain the compression qualities.
Just after the continuous 12-hour use, compression clothing can lose their elasticity. In knee and elbow areas, this stretching is quite prominent.
If you wash them daily, you can guarantee a restoration of their elastic as well as compression properties. Moreover, it can remove the oil, dirt, bacteria, and sweat.
It is a common misconception that frequent washing can damage them. No, you are wrong there! Improper care will damage your compression clothing, not frequent cleaning.
However, even a slight damage can kill the purpose of your compression garment. One tough rinse cycle, wrong dryer, or use of incorrect detergents or cleaning agents can steal away its compression qualities.
Machine Wash Or Hand Wash?
Whenever you buy a new item, the first thing that comes to mind is: Can I wash it in the machine or not?
For compression clothing, it depends on your preference and comfort level.
Hand Wash
If you intend to wash it by hands, follow these steps:
- Fill water in a medium-size bucket, sink, or a small tub.
- Dip to dampen your compression garments in it.
- Let the garment soak for a few minutes after adding some little amount of cleaning solution in there.
- Rub the garment but be careful when it comes to their stretching.
- Now empty the tub and refill it with clean water.
- Now rinse the garment along the seams to remove sweat.
- In the end, remove excess water but only squeeze it gently.
Use lukewarm water to wash and rinse it.
Machine Wash
If you find it hard to wash them by hands, you can also wash them in the machine. Yes, you can!
However, don’t forget these precautions before doing it.
- Place your compression garments in the mesh laundry bag to protect the fabric during a washing cycle.
- Water temperature should be in the range of 86-104 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use cool water for dark-colored but hot water for light-colored garments.
Mild Detergents Or Harsh Detergents?
If you want your compression garment to last longer, do not use the harsh detergents.
Use mild soaps or detergents that are free of bleach, fabric softeners, laundry additives, and chlorine. Petroleum-based cleaners will also destroy the fibers of your garment.
Dry In Machine Dryer Or Direct Heat?
It is strongly recommended to dry compression garments naturally. They must be air dried as excessive heat exposure may damage the elastic fibers.
Exposure to the direct heat sources such as a heater or natural daylight must be avoided. You may turn your garment inside out to protect the fabric.
Place a towel on a drying rack and place your garment on its top to dry it. If you don’t use a drying rack, water weight may stretch the item excessively.
If you are using the dryer, set its dial to a maximum low-heat level (no-heat) of air drying cycle.
Even after your intensive care, there is a short period after which you need to replace your compression garment. Yes, you cannot wear it forever!
RDX compression garments are quite durable, and their elastic and compression properties stay for long. However, it is advisable to replace them after six months of daily use.
As a general rule of thumb, this is your checklist that tells you when do you need to buy a new one.
- Does not return to original shape
- No longer fits as before
- Has holes or runs in the fabric
- Not much compressive
- Becomes easy to put on
If all of these conditions are satisfied, replace it!
