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Can I wash sportswear with Sensitive Laundry Liquid?Updated 5 hours ago

TL;DR: Yes. Sensitive Laundry Liquid is suitable for sportswear and synthetic fabrics, polyester, nylon, elastane, lycra, and spandex. Protease breaks down sweat proteins. Lipase breaks down body oils. No fragrance masking, just clean fabric.


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Koh Sensitive Laundry Liquid problem vs solution
Koh Sensitive Laundry Liquid before and after

Why does it work well on activewear?

Activewear smells the way it does because sweat (mostly proteins) and body oils get trapped in synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon. Synthetic fibres don't absorb water the way cotton does, so soils sit on the surface and bond to the fabric. Most conventional detergents use fragrance to mask the smell, which means the residue stays in the fibre. Koh Sensitive Laundry Liquid uses protease (an enzyme that breaks down sweat proteins) and lipase (an enzyme that breaks down body oils) to remove the source of the smell rather than mask it. The formula is suitable for polyester, nylon, elastane, lycra, spandex, and blended synthetic fabrics. Always follow the garment care label, especially for technical fabrics or compression gear.

✓ Why activewear holds onto smells

Synthetic fibres don't absorb water the way cotton does, so sweat and body oils sit on the surface and bond to the fabric. Most detergents use fragrance to mask the smell, which leaves the residue in the fibre. Sensitive Laundry Liquid uses enzymes to remove the source of the smell instead of masking it.

Protease (sweat proteins) Lipase (body oils) No fragrance masking

✓ Compatible fabrics

Suitable for polyester, nylon, elastane, lycra, spandex, and blended synthetic fabrics. Always follow the garment care label, especially for compression gear or technical fabrics that may have specific wash requirements.

Polyester Nylon Elastane Lycra Spandex

How do I wash sportswear with it?

Pretreat any visible stains with Koh Stain Remover first if needed (machine washable garments only). Turn garments inside out so the sweaty side faces the wash water directly. Wash on your normal machine cycle in cold or warm water, hot water can degrade enzymes and set protein-based stains, so cooler is better. Don't overload the machine, activewear needs water flow to rinse properly. Avoid overdosing detergent, too much product can trap residue in synthetic fibres and make the smell worse over time. If odours persist, run an extra rinse cycle. Hang dry when possible, dryer heat shortens the life of synthetic fabrics. For stubborn smells, pre-soak garments in a bucket with a small amount of liquid for 30 minutes before machine washing.

Washing steps

1

Pretreat any visible stains with Stain Remover if needed (machine washable garments only).

2

Turn garments inside out so the sweaty side hits the wash water directly.

3

Wash on your normal machine cycle. Cold or warm only, hot water can degrade enzymes and set sweat stains.

4

Hang dry when possible. Dryer heat shortens the life of synthetic fabrics.

✓ Tips for synthetics

  Don't overload the machine, activewear needs water flow to rinse properly

  Avoid overdosing detergent, too much product can trap residue in synthetic fibres

  Run an extra rinse cycle if odours persist

For stubborn smells

Pre-soak in a bucket with a small amount of Sensitive Laundry Liquid for 30 minutes before machine washing. For visible stains, treat with Stain Remover first.


Koh Sensitive Laundry Liquid bag-in-box

Sensitive Laundry Liquid

Around 60 washes per box. Sensitive Choice approved, Dermatest tested. Septic and grey water safe. Made in Victoria, Australia.

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Last reviewed: May 2026


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