How to Keep Your Black Tights from Becoming a Cesspool of Bacteria (2024)

It’s tights season: either the worst or the best time of the year, depending on who you ask. Some women (myself included) absolutely love the sleek look of a pair of black tights, while others can’t wait to rip them off and expose their bare naked knees for all the world to see.

No matter which camp you fall into, if you live in a colder climate, you’ll probably end up wearing them at some point. And like anything you wear and own multiples of (bras, socks, period panties), you’re going to have a favorite pair. And let’s just say you wear that favorite pair of tights on Monday and then grab them again on Tuesday. And then on Wednesday you put on a different pair, but they’re kind of baggy in the crotch, so yep, you put on your trusty favorite pair again because, hey, why not? It’s not like tights can really get that gross, right?

Wrong! While you may want to lump them in the same categories as bras (which are okay to wear a few times in a row), tights are some of the dirtiest garments we own. Think about it: Tights are on your feet, your legs, and your crotch and butt all day. They’re picking up skin cells (yup, that's what that white dust is—think about it), trapping in moisture, and getting funky in all the other crevices they’re conforming to—just like your sweaty workout clothes.

So even if you’re the cleanest, most well-moisturized person in the world, you should probably wash your tights every two to three wears.

But washing tights is scary! Especially if your favorite tights are a pricey pair of Wolfords (seriously, how infuriating is it to get a run in a pair of $40-plus tights?). That's why we’re arming you with four tips for caring for your for your favorite pair of LBTs (Little Black Tights), recommended to us by Jenny Altman, lingerie expert and CEO of iloveagood.com.

1. Read the Label
Seriously! Some tights are machine washable, but others aren't (sorry!). "I handwash my tights along with my lingerie," says Altman. "Ihave even been known to wash my tights while in the shower and then hang them to dry on the shower rod." Even if your tights are machine washable,do not put them in the dryer. This is essential!

2. Freeze Them
This one sounds a little nutty, but we hear it works: When you first get a pair of tights, run them under cold water and stick them in the freezer. The next morning, let them defrost over your shower rod and dry completely. The frigid temperature is supposed to constrict the fibers in the tights and make them a little more durable and rip-proof. No, unfortunately this method does not kill any bacteria or get rid of any odors—but it should make your tights last longer.

3. Invest in a Lingerie Bag
If you don’t have one of these already, order one on Amazon right now. Seriously, they’re less than $10. We'll wait. ... Okay, got it? Congrats, now you’re an adult woman who knows how to take care of her things. Put your tights, thongs, tiny socks, whatever in this bag when you wash this stuff. The bag doesn’t just prevent all this stuff from getting tangled; it also keeps it all neatly together so you’re not digging through a big pile looking for your favorite G-string.

4. Start a Rotation
If you find yourself wearing tights more than three days a week, you should probably own at least four pairs of tights you actually like. They don’t have to be expensive, but you should be able to throw them on in a pinch, and at least one or two pairs should be clean at all times. Investing in some higher-end tights can also save you money in the long run. Altman says she knows some people who have owned the same pair of tights for 10 or 15 years! So long as your tights are run-free (unless you like them that way) and aren't too stinky, there's no reason to throw them away.

Long story short: Be gentle with your tights, protect them during the spin cycle, and wash with a mild soap and air dry to keep them healthy. Huh, sounds a lot like another delicate that needs special care...

Caitlin Abber is the senior editor at WomensHealthMag.com. Follow her on Twitter.

All giphs courtesy of Giphy.com.