Workout Clothes Drying Rack

A new year often brings new fitness goals, which means you’ll likely need new workout gear to help you reach those goals. But washing those sweaty togs requires a special set of steps to ensure your gear stays odor-free and doesn’t come out of the wash still smelling like last week’s Peloton ride. Luckily, there are plenty of easy hacks to get the job done. Investing in a workout clothes drying rack, for example, is a great option to help eliminate permastink once and for all.

A drying rack can also be a much more gentle way to dry laundry for delicate items, as it’s less harsh on embellishments and structural components such as elastic waistbands than a machine dryer. Plus, it typically uses far less energy than a traditional dryer, saving you money in the long run. But when it comes to picking out a workout clothes drying rack, choosing the right one depends on your laundry room setup and space limitations. Thankfully, there are plenty of options for everyone from those working with a tight budget to those who have a bit more elbowroom in their laundry room.

Some drying racks are freestanding while others are mounted to the wall. Our top pick for a standing rack is the Minky, which easily earned high marks during testing and can be adjusted to fit your space (it can even rest flush against a wall when not in use). This sturdy rack offers a huge amount of versatility for the price, and you can hang everything from sweatpants and tees to jackets and dresses on its three full tiers of bars. The entire unit can be opened and closed in a matter of minutes and takes up minimal space when folded and tucked away.

Another great choice for those with limited floor space is the CenYouful Stainless Steel Laundry Drying Rack. This tiered rack folds flat and is easy to stow away when it’s not in use, taking up only 3 inches of depth at its slimmest point. We were able to load it up with jeans, sweatshirts and sweaters during our test and it held up without bending or bowing. The rack also has clips for hanging masks, socks and undergarments, as well as a sleeve that helps protect the clothes from snags.

Whether you choose a standing or a folding rack, experts recommend starting the cleaning process with a breathable laundry hamper to reduce the amount of bacteria in your workout gear before you toss it in the washer. Also, if possible, turn your sweaty togs inside out before washing to prevent the colors from running and the prints from shrinking. Lastly, a tumble dryer with a low- or no-heat setting is preferable to a hot one, as heat can break down fabric elasticity and amplify odors.

In addition to our top picks for the best workout clothes drying rack, we also reviewed other models that can be hung over a bathtub or leaned against a wall (like this Honey-Can-Do leaning rack). For those who have a teeny tiny laundry room, a streamlined version of our leaning pick could work by simply dangling over the back of a door.