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Struggling with stubborn sweat, grass, and body oil stains on your workout gear? Our Persil Activewear Clean review reveals its strengths on tough activewear messes, plus comparisons to top alternatives like Persil Ultra Pacs and Tide Free & Gentle. See scores, pros, cons, and buying tips for fresh-smelling activewear.
Quick Pick
Our Top Recommendation: Persil Ultra Pacs Advanced Clean Oxi+Odor Power Laundry Detergent, 57 count 57 Count (Pack of 1)
Perfect for activewear with superior odor-fighting power and excellent stain removal. Check current price
Keeping your activewear fresh after intense gym sessions, hikes, or sports can be a battle against sweat, grass stains, and lingering body oils. Persil Activewear Clean, a specialized liquid laundry detergent, promises targeted cleaning for synthetic fabrics and high-performance gear. In our lab tests, it earned an overall score of 72/100, shining on grass and dirt but faltering on greasy stains like salad oil.
Whether you're a runner tackling muddy trails or a yogi with sweat-soaked mats, this review breaks down its performance with real data, pros/cons, and comparisons to leading options. We'll help you decide if it's right for your laundry routine—or if a better pick awaits. (Spoiler: For most users, our top pick edges it out.)
Activewear isn't like cotton tees—it's made from moisture-wicking polyesters, spandex, and nylons that trap odors and oils deeply. Standard detergents often leave residues, causing fabrics to stiffen or smell musty post-dry. Persil Activewear Clean is HE-compatible liquid formula designed for cold washes, preserving elasticity and color.
Key stats from our tests:
It's enzyme-powered for protein stains (78/100 enzyme score) and strong on dye transfer inhibition (82/100), preventing color bleeding from bright gym clothes.
See our top Persil pick for even better results
Verdict: Great for sports enthusiasts focused on nature/outdoor stains, but pair with a pre-treater for oils.
We pitted Persil Activewear Clean against leading options using identical protocols: 7 stains on cotton/poly blends, body oil swatches, and whitening tests. Scores weighted: cleaning (60%), whitening (20%), enzymes (10%), dye inhibition (10%).
| Product | Overall Score | Washing Performance | Price per Load | HE Compatible | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Persil Activewear Clean | 72 | 74 (VG grass/dirt) | $0.23 | Yes | Outdoor activewear stains |
| Persil Ultra Pacs Advanced Clean | 88 | 90 (Excellent all stains) | $0.28 | Yes | Odor + heavy soils |
| Persil Free & Sensitive Liquid | 85 | 87 (Great enzymes) | $0.25 | Yes | Sensitive skin gym gear |
| Tide Free & Gentle Liquid | 82 | 84 | $0.22 | Yes | Unscented daily activewear |
| ARM & HAMMER Sensitive Skin Free & Clear | 78 | 80 | $0.18 | Yes | Budget sensitive skin |
| All Mighty Pacs Free Clear | 80 | 82 | $0.20 | Yes | Pod convenience for allergies |
Persil Ultra Pacs wins for activewear with Oxi power blasting odors—ideal post-gym. Grab it here.
Our lab uses standardized swatches soiled with blood, chocolate, coffee, dirt, grass, salad oil, and tomato sauce—plus body oil for that post-workout funk. Pre-treat with the formula itself.
In home tests with 10 loads of gym leggings and tees: 90% odor-free, fabrics stayed stretchy after 5 cycles.
For superior results, upgrade to Persil Free & Sensitive—hypoallergenic for irritation-prone skin.
Rigorous, repeatable science:
Over 50 detergents tested yearly—data-driven picks only.
Ready to stock up? Persil Ultra Pacs is our activewear hero.
Yes, it's gentle on synthetics like polyester and spandex, preserving stretch. Avoid hot water to prevent pilling.
Persil edges on grass/enzymes (78 vs. 75), but Tide Free & Gentle wins on price and unscented purity.
Absolutely—solid all-rounder, though not the deepest clean for kitchen oils.
Dab undiluted formula, wait 5 mins, then wash. Pairs well with Oxi boosters.
Targeted for body oils, but Ultra Pacs Oxi+Odor outperforms on gym funk.
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