Under Armour is a sportswear company that sells a variety of clothing, footwear, and sporting gear.
It was founded by Kevin Plank in 1996 and started as a small business – one that he ran out of his grandmother’s basement.
Plank was tired of dealing with sweat-soaked shirts and wanted to create his own moisture-wicking activewear. After graduating from college, he developed his first prototype, which he sold from the trunk of his car.
Before he knew it, the brand had grown tremendously. He landed contracts with football teams such as Arizona State and NC State and sales exploded.
By the late ’90s, Under Armour was generating over $100,000 in profits.
As of 2025, the company serves over a dozen countries including South Korea, Hong Kong, Germany, France, and Canada.
Table of Contents
ToggleThe Different Fabrics of Under Armour
Under Armour has several proprietary fabrics, which they use for their products. Here are some of them:
HeatGear
HeatGear is designed to keep you cool and dry throughout your workout. It’s also super breathable and allows sweat to easily come to the surface, which helps to regulate body temperature.

In addition to HeatGear, there is HeatGear Armour, a line of base layers that serves as a “second skin.” They’re soft and lightweight and provide just the right amount of support with high comfort levels.
On top of that, there is HeatGear Amourvent, the most breathable fabric that the company has ever put together. It features Mesh Technology, which is light, durable, stretchy, and fast-drying.
ColdGear
ColdGear allows athletes to stay active, even in cold weather. Not only is it designed to wick away moisture, which increases comfort levels, but it also helps to maintain your core body temperature.
In addition to regular ColdGear, there is ColdGear Infrared, a line of apparel that comes with a special thermo-conductive coating that helps to retain body heat.
UA Base
UA Base is unique in that it features a grid pattern, which traps body heat, and circulates it for lasting warmth, even in the coldest of conditions.
There are four different “gradings”: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0.
1.0: Designed for intense activity in cool conditions
2.0: Designed for moderate activity in cold conditions
3.0: Designed for intermittent activity in extremely cold conditions
4.0 Designed for the coldest of cold
UA Threadborne
Threadborne is one of their most comfortable fabrics. It’s nearly seamless and provides a soft, almost cotton-like feel against your skin.
Not only that but it’s also guaranteed to keep you cool and dry during your workout.
UA Storm
UA Storm is designed to keep you warm and dry in wet weather conditions. There are three levels of protection:
UA Storm 1: Fabric is water-resistant
UA Storm 2: Fabric is windproof and highly water-resistant
UA Storm 3: Fabric is both windproof and waterproof
How to Wash Under Armour Leggings, Yoga Pants, Tights and Shorts
Most, if not all of their bottoms can be machine washed with other activewear.
Step 1: Place Them In a Laundry Bag

Turn the bottoms inside out and place them in a laundry bag before putting them in the washer. The bag will act as a physical barrier, protecting the garments from wearing out during the cycle.
Step 2: Add Detergent

Measure one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent and pour it directly into the drum. Do not add bleach or fabric softener.
Step 3: Run a Wash Cycle

Choose a delicate or gentle setting and run a cold wash cycle; that will minimize the amount of wear and tear on your leggings.
Step 4: Let Them Dry

Once the wash cycle is finished, take your leggings, tights, and yoga pants out of the washer and hang them up to dry. Alternatively, you can put them in the dryer on low heat.
Supply:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Laundry bags
Avoid using dryer sheets as they will coat your clothes with potentially harmful chemicals.
ACTIVE Laundry Detergent
Deep clean your Under Armour gear with our detergent designed for synthetic fabrics.

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Washing Instructions for Under Armour Tank Tops, Short and Long Sleeves
Pre-treating Under Armour Tops
For stained items, we recommend pre-treating them with ACTIVE Detergent before washing.
Supplies:
- Water
- ACTIVE Detergent
- White vinegar
Step 1:
In a large sink, mix some ACTIVE Detergent with cool water to create a soapy solution.

Step 2:
Place the items in the solution and let them sit for 20-30 minutes; that will help get rid of any smells.

Step 3:
Rinse the item thoroughly with cool water. Continue until there are no more soap suds, then proceed to launder the item as normal.

If necessary, you can also add half a cup of white vinegar for extra cleansing power.
Machine Washing Under Armour Tops
All of their tops can also be run through the wash. Here’s how to do it.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Laundry bags

Step 1:
Turn your tank tops, short and long sleeves inside out and place them in their own individual mesh laundry bags, before loading them in the washer.

Step 2:
Add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent powder. Skip the fabric softener and bleach.

Step 3:
Choose a gentle setting and machine wash with cold water.

Step 4:
Once the wash cycle is complete, take the tops out and hang them up to dry in a well-ventilated space.
While you can put them in the dryer, it’s best to air dry the tops as high heat can cause the fabric to deteriorate prematurely.
Hand Washing Under Armour Tops
If you want to be gentle with your tops, it’s best to wash them by hand.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Water
- Drying rack
Step 1:
Fill a tub or sink with water and mix in a bit of ACTIVE Detergent powder to create a cleaning solution.

Step 2:
Turn your tops inside out and place them in the sink, making sure all of the fabric is saturated with the mixture.
Let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 3:
Gently rub the fabric with your hands to remove any loose oils or dirt. Avoid twisting or wringing the fabric as that can cause the material to stretch.

Step 4:
When you’re sure they are clean, rinse them with clean water.
Once all the soap is out, you can hang them up to dry.

Washing UA Sports Bras
Machine Washing Under Armour Sports Bras
Their sports bras can be put in the washing machine as long as you follow the proper steps.
Supplies:
- Lingerie bag
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Drying rack

Step 1:
Secure all loose ends, including velcro straps or hook-and-eye closures, and place the bra in a mesh laundry bag.

Step 2:
Place the bag in the washer and add one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent powder to the drum.

Step 4:
Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle and run a cold water wash.
Wait for the cycle to finish before retrieving the bras. Instead of using the dryer, let them air dry on a drying rack.
For bras with removable padding, we recommend washing them separately.
Hand Washing Under Armour Sports Bras
Hand washing is the best option if you want your sports bras to last a long time.
Supplies:
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Water
- Drying rack
Step 1:
Fill a sink two-thirds full with warm water and add a bit of ACTIVE Detergent to create a soapy mixture.

Step 2:
Once it’s thoroughly combined, place your sports bras in. Remove any padding, if necessary.

Step 3:
Let the sports bra soak in the detergent solution for at least 20 minutes before rinsing clean with water.

Step 4:
Allow the sports bra to air dry afterwards on a drying rack. Do not use the dryer.

How to Clean Under Armour Underwear
Their underwear can be put in the washing machine along with other delicate items, as long as you’ve separated the colors.
Supplies:
- Lingerie bag
- ACTIVE Detergent
- Drying rack

Step 1:
Place the undergarments in a mesh lingerie bag – that will prevent them from losing their shape – then load them into the washer.

Step 2:
Pour one scoop of ACTIVE Detergent powder into the drum.

Step 4:
Run a gentle wash cycle. We recommend using a cold wash setting as you don’t want to expose delicates to heat.
Once the washing is complete, let the garments air dry.
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Comments (6)
How do I launder an UA Coldgear Infrared jacket?
Hi my shirt gets bad odor when I sweat even it is anti odor. How do I get rid of it. Does it have something to do with washing?
Hi Micee! Have you tried using ACTIVE Detergent? Our enzyme formula is designed to target sweat and other residues that are embedded into the fabrics. This removes odors at the source instead of just temporarily covering them up like other detergents!
I have a hoodie which is the “Storm” material brand. This is ‘Water resistant” which makes is almost impossible to get stains out of the material. What would you suggest to use to get stains out? It is a light green color so stains are very noticeable.
Hi Tami! That’s a tough situation. One method would be trying to clean the stains with a mild dish soap. For spot treating stubborn stains, we recommend mixing a small amount of Activewear Detergent powder in a bowl with some water to create a paste. Apply that paste to the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing the area with cold water.
If possible, first try testing this method on a stain in an inconspicuous area to ensure the detergent doesn’t affect the color of your hoodie. Good luck!
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