How To Wash Leggings: The Ultimate Guide And Tips

Key Takeaways

• Unlike other clothes, leggings require special cleaning treatment. Before washing, take some actions to help them remain in the best condition.
• After workouts, your sportswear may get smelly. How to wash leggings and remove odors in the right way? Let's explore our tips and notes!

Prepare To Wash Leggings

Many people overlook this essential step. Why? It is not because we are lazy, but almost all of us aren't aware of its benefits. Today, lots of washing machines and detergent advertisements exaggerate their cleaning ability. This blows our minds and makes us think they can clean clothes perfectly. But it's with our preparation.

So, how do you do that? First, remove all the pills from the leggings' surface. You can use tape, a razor blade, or a lint roller to erase lint and fluff thoroughly.

Then, dilute a spoon of vinegar in cool water and soak your leggings in this solution for 20 minutes before washing. It will remove the odor from sweat and dust.

Pretreat contributes to the later cleaning process and prolongs clothes' lifespan.

Your leggings are now ready for the machine wash. In the next section, we'll explore how to wash leggings correctly. Let's go!

How To Wash Your Leggings

Need to learn how to wash leggings in washing machine? Here is our detailed guide with four easy steps to help with your laundry duty:

• Turn them inside out: Before tossing your leggings in the washer, turn them inside out. This simple action will help maintain the colors' longevity, especially for those in black. 
• Place them in the washing machine: If you have a mesh washing bag, put your leggings inside to avoid snagging the drum. Then, put it in the washer with an activewear-based detergent.
• Let it wash! To wash your leggings, select gentle cycle mode, low spin, cool water, and tick "Start." Then, wait.
• Dry your leggings: Can you put leggings in the dryer? No. Instead, air drying them. Although it takes time, we highly recommend laying your leggings flat and letting them dry naturally. 

Washing leggings is no longer complicated with the above four steps.

Notes When Washing Leggings

If you still wonder how to wash leggings by hand or do leggings shrink in the wash, here are a few tips to make your next laundry more enjoyable:

1. Read The Label

This small step is really important to understand your clothes. We all know that only some are patient enough to do this. So, what do you need to check and read on the tag?

First, that is material. Components used to make leggings, such as spandex and polyester, have specific characteristics. You should carefully read the manufacturer's instruction label to define which method, detergent, and how to wash leggings correctly.

Second, verify the temperatures that the leggings can withstand. Finding the optimal heat range can help you better use the clothes during washing.

2. Sort Your Laundry

Washing your gym leggings with other textiles is not recommended. Most activewear is made of synthetic fibers with properties much different from jeans, leather, or cotton. Thus, your leggings will lose shape when mixed with other laundry items in the same washer and using the same detergent.

Moreover, if you wash your leggings in the same washers as other clothes, such as those with zippers, buttons, or sharp accessories, they will become scratched and torn, losing their aesthetics.

3. Go Easy On The Detergent

You should invest in activewear detergent for your leggings in the next laundry time. These laundry substances are friendly to leggings' fabrics, helping prolong their absorptive and moisture-wicking properties. This preserves legging technical traits such as elasticity, 4-way stretch, sweat-wicking,  and compression.

Besides that, if you unintentionally apply heavy detergents to clean leggings, it may corrode the structure of the fabric, making your leggings see-through. No one wants to wear sheer sportswear while exercising, so be careful with the soap you add to the washer.

Use sportswear-friendly detergent to preserve its form and functionality.

4. Use Cool Water

Synthetic leggings are sensitive to high temperatures. Washing them in warm or hot water can strain the fiber, break down the fabric, and affect its quality.

Moreover, high heat can shrink the fabrics and make them tighter. If you get stuck in your leggings tomorrow, don't worry! It may not be a sign of weight gain because of the hot water. Therefore, remember to tick on the cool water for your next washing time.

5. Skip The Fabric Softener

While washing your leggings, avoid using fabric softener. Although it helps your clothes feel soft, the chemicals and silicone in these solutions coat the fabric's surface. Accordingly, it degrades your leggings' absorptive functions.

Furthermore, the softened solid reduces the elasticity and stretch of the fabrics. Leveraging a softener agent for a long time, your leggings will lose their form and shape. Additionally, the sportswear will wear out quickly, pill and tear with a shorter lifespan.

6. Use White Vinegar For Odor

White vinegar is one of the most effective and cheap odor-neutralizers. If your leggings have a stubborn odor and pesky scent, soak them in a mixture of vinegar with a ratio of 1:10. You can do this pretreat action at the preparation step discussed above. It will eliminate odors from your leggings, leaving them fresh and clean.

Soak your leggings with white vinegar to remove the uncomfortable smell.

7. Don't Use A Tumble Dryer

We all prefer the convenience and comfort of using a dryer to dry our laundry. However, there are better choices than a dryer with activewear, especially leggings. The hot air may harm the stretchy properties of your leggings.

Instead, you should let it air-dry in the shade with gentle light. Direct and harsh sunlight may cause fluff and fade your leggings, so it's not recommended. Remember to avoid hanging them up to prevent them from stretching and losing shape.

8. Store Clothes Properly

Before putting your leggings into the closet, make sure they are completely dry. Any dampness can lead to mold and mildew development, damaging the fabrics and putting your health at risk.

After washing and drying, store your leggings in a well-ventilated, airy place to avoid bacteria and unpleasant odors. If you leave them in humid or hot places for too long, the heat will damage the fabric fibers and fade their color.

9. Wash Your Leggings Often

How many times can you wear leggings before washing them? It depends on how often you wear them for working out or casual purposes. If you follow our guide on how to wash leggings above, you can easily clean your sportswear with minimal effort.

Wash your clothes after every wear to prevent odors from building up in your leggings. Regular washing also helps inhibit bacterial growth and reduces the harm of fungal and dermatitis on your skin.

Wash your leggings right away after wearing them.

10. Do A Separate Athletic Apparel Load

If you want your leggings to last longer than a few months, you must treat them better. One of the best ways to do that is by categorizing your clothes before washing them.

As previously discussed, sportswear requires different washing methods and temperatures than other types due to its unique materials. Washing them separately helps maintain your leggings' functionality and lifespan.