After Sport: Wash Your Kit and Keep Towels Personal
Odor & SweatArticleCDC’s athletic-setting MRSA prevention guidance includes washing and drying used kit, keeping towels personal and cleaning hands.
In this article
Get care for a suspected infection
CDC1 advises seeing a healthcare provider immediately if you think you have an infection. Laboratory testing may be needed to distinguish MRSA from another bacterial infection. A clothing smell does not identify MRSA.1
Wash after each use
In its guidance for athletes, CDC1 advises washing uniforms, towels and clothing after each use, then drying them completely in a dryer rather than air-drying or hanging them. Follow the clothing label’s washing and drying instructions.1
Keep skin-contact items personal
Do not share towels, washcloths, razors or clothing, including uniforms. Wash your hands after handling dirty clothes.1
Make the routine practical
You could ask: “How can we arrange kit washing after each use while following the care label?” These prevention steps do not guarantee that an infection cannot occur.1
Arms Up includes a Fresh Log. Use it to organize observations and questions you want to discuss. Explore the odor and sweat playbook.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
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Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025Athletes: MRSA Prevention and Control (opens in a new tab)abcdef
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