How to Clean Men's Posing Trunks (Bodybuilding and Classic Physique)

Clean bodybuilding and classic physique posing trunks the same day you take them off. Cold water, Fels-Naptha bar soap, inside-out, no machine, no dryer. That is the whole method. It is the same wash we use on competition bikinis, written here for men's trunks: hologram, velvet, matte Lycra, and practice prints.

For competition bikinis, figure, physique, and wellness suits, use How to Clean Your Competition Bikini Suit. For how the trunks should sit on stage, see How to Wear Bodybuilding Trunks and How to Wear Classic Physique Trunks.

Why clean posing trunks right away

Congratulations on the show. Protect the trunks by washing them as soon as you can. Spray tan and adhesive set up on the waistband and gather back. Waiting days or weeks makes both harder to get out and can dull shine and elasticity.

What not to do

• Do not dry clean.
• Do not machine wash.
• Do not put them in the dryer.
• Do not wait days or weeks. Tan and glue get harder to remove, and the fabric's shine and stretch take the hit.

How to wash bodybuilding and classic physique trunks

These steps are for men's bodybuilding trunks and classic physique trunks, including in-stock, custom, and practice and photoshoot prints. Rio, Pro, Regular, and Malibu cuts all wash the same way.

1. Initial rinse. Rinse immediately in cold water to knock off loose tan and glue.
2. Sink and soap. Fill the sink with cold water. Use Fels-Naptha bar soap (Purex brand, sold at Amazon and Walmart). Avoid strong detergents.
3. Inside out, gently. Turn the trunks inside out. Rub soap on soiled areas on the inside only, especially the waistband and gather. Be gentle on the outside so you do not scuff hologram, crush velvet, or fade a print.
4. Rinse thoroughly. Rinse until the water runs clear.
5. Air dry. Hang to finish drying, away from direct sun. Store them only when fully dry. Do not leave damp trunks in a gym bag.

Hologram, velvet, matte, and print

• Hologram (mist or Shatterglass): Wash inside out. Do not scrub the shiny face. That finish is the stage look.
• Velvet: Same inside-out wash. Do not wring. Hang dry. Velvet pile flattens if you twist it wet.
• Matte Lycra: Same cold water and Fels-Naptha. No machine, no dryer.
• Practice prints (camo, patriotic, and other prints): Same wash. If they went in a pool or the ocean, rinse in fresh cold water first. Prints are for practice and photoshoots, not the NPC/IFBB stage, but the fabric still needs the same care.

Can I machine wash posing trunks?

No. Machine washing and dry cleaning damage shine and elasticity. Hand wash in cold water with Fels-Naptha.

Can I put posing trunks in the dryer?

No. Hang them away from direct sun until they are fully dry.

What soap do you use on men's posing trunks?

Fels-Naptha bar soap (Purex). Strong detergents are too harsh on competition fabric.

Questions: 727-784-0844, Monday–Friday 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, or lucy@sycompetitionsuits.com. SY Competition Suits, sewn in Clearwater, Florida since 1996.