We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
I’m no fitness enthusiast, but I did luck out during my NYC apartment search because I found a place right next to a big park. I’m there almost every day, usually jogging after work and on the weekends, too. Because I run frequently, I tend to stick to wearing one sporty outfit a week, otherwise, my dirty clothes bundle would become impossible to carry to the laundromat. And frankly, I don’t see the point of washing slightly sweaty clothes right away if they’re just going to get sweaty again the next day. That being said, I don’t want to reek, so for a while, I had been on the hunt for an alternative to straight-up washing my clothes. I’d heard of fabric deodorizers and even tried a couple of different kinds in the past. Unfortunately, none of them actually eliminated bad smells and instead merely masked the odors with a “lavender” or “clean linen” note. As you can imagine, this only intensified the problem, and I quickly stopped using those products.
I’d just about given up on fabric deodorizers until I tried the HEX Performance deodorizing spray. This fabric freshener actually works, and it has saved me from both urgent laundry days and stinking in the streets.
What is the HEX Performance Deodorizing Spray?
This spray is specifically formulated to work on activewear and other items that tend to get stinky quickly, including shoes, yoga mats, gym bags, and more. It comes in a compact spray bottle that’s super convenient to take along, whether you keep it in your car or with the rest of your sporting equipment. There’s a fragrance-free version, but I use the “fresh & clean” scent, which smells slightly fruity and citrusy but, most of all, fresh (go figure). You’ll also be happy to learn that the deodorizer is free of alcohol and parabens, so it won’t damage your clothes or irritate your skin. (But if you do have sensitive skin, I suggest the fragrance-free option.) Finally, it’s so easy to use! Just give the bottle a good shake, hold it a few inches away from your clothes, and spray. The liquid comes out in a fine mist and takes probably 20 to 30 minutes to dry completely. Then, your clothes are ready to be worn again, stink-free!
Why I Love the HEX Performance Deodorizing Spray
I trust word-of-mouth recommendations more than anything, but even if a friend had told me that this spray actually eliminates odors, I wouldn’t have believed it. The fact that dirty clothes can smell clean without having to be washed just sounds too good to be true! But you better believe it because after just one spray of this stuff, I was hooked. I’ve used it both on clothes and the insides of my running shoes, and it leaves them smelling totally fresh with no underlying scent of sweat; even the underarm areas of my sports bras remain benign throughout the whole week. The fabric deodorizer is now an integral part of my daily routine — I get home from my run, spray my clothes down, and go shower. It saves me so much time, energy, and laundry detergent.
What’s more, washing machines damage clothes in the long run, so it gives me peace of mind knowing that the Lululemon running shorts that I spent way too much money on will remain intact for a long time. If you, too, are looking for an in-between-laundry-days solution, I highly suggest picking up a set of these deodorizer sprays for $20 on Amazon. Just don’t get too hooked on using them — you still have to do laundry eventually!