During the colder months, your tights are sure to be a wardrobe staple. That’s why you’ll want to wash tights properly to ensure that they last as long as possible, and to keep them in perfect condition.
What you need to know is that tights are very delicate and throwing them in the laundry with the rest of your clothes is sure to ruin them. We highly recommend that you *hand washtights, which might seem like quite the daunting process (like who has time to hand wash anything?) but it’s totally worth it to help your tights last longer.
On a positive note, we recommend you DON’T wash tights after every wear. Instead, you can wash sheer tights once every two wears, and thicker tights after every three wears. It’s also safe to hand wash several pairs of tights together and at the same time. As usual, just be gentle and wash similar colours together.
As when always manipulating your tights, remove any jewelry and make sure your nails are well maintained to avoid creating any snags or rips.
To further protect your tights and hand wash them properly, follow this simple 4 step system.
Here’s the best way to hand wash tights in 4 easy steps!
STEP 1: Combine mild detergent + lukewarm water
Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add half a cup of mild laundry detergent to wash your tights. Any detergent will do, but you can also look for detergent specially made for delicate clothes. Make sure you use lukewarm water, as hot water can actually reduce the elasticity of your tights and affect their fit.
STEP 2: Turn your tights inside out
General rule of thumb, before washing your tights turn them inside out. Avoid any rubbing and pulling, and just gently scrub the areas that are most prone to bacteria like the feet and crotch area. Let your tights soak for about 10 minutes or so.
Step 3: Rinse them well in sugar water
Next, rinse your tights again and again with cold water to make sure you remove all the soap. You can also rinse them in sugar water to further help them last longer.
Step 4: Hang them or dry them flat
Finally, air dry your tights always and never dry them in the dryer. Gently squeeze any water out of your tights from the top down to the toe, and then hang them or lay them flat to dry.
*If you must put your tights in the laundry, place them solo in a laundry bag and use a delicate wash cycle.
Rachel
FAQs
Select a delicate cycle and a cold water temperature on the washing machine. Place all of your tights into a mesh bag. This prevents any snagging or tangling with other clothes inside the machine. Using the mesh bag also prevents your tights from collecting a lot of lint, which is extremely difficult to remove.
How do you wash tights properly? ›
Select a delicate cycle and a cold water temperature on the washing machine. Place all of your tights into a mesh bag. This prevents any snagging or tangling with other clothes inside the machine. Using the mesh bag also prevents your tights from collecting a lot of lint, which is extremely difficult to remove.
Can you put tights in the washer and dryer? ›
Pantyhose or tights should never go in the dryer. "Dryers will wear down pantyhose and tights and cause shrinking or snagging," says LaLonde. "To make sure your pantyhose last as long as possible, hand wash and air dry them."
How to wash smelly tights? ›
How to Deep Clean Sweaty-Smelling Workout Clothes
- Fill a sink with one part distilled white vinegar and three parts water.
- Submerge the items (do only a couple at a time) and allow them to soak for at least one hour.
- Wash as the label instructions recommend, or use a cold gentle cycle as outlined above.
Washing tights in a machine wash generally causes no harm, just be a little gentle with them! Use a cold water setting and a delicate cycle. Avoid washing with rough fabrics like denim or clothing with zippers for sheer tights as these could easily snag.
Should tights be washed? ›
On a positive note, we recommend you DON'T wash tights after every wear. Instead, you can wash sheer tights once every two wears, and thicker tights after every three wears. It's also safe to hand wash several pairs of tights together and at the same time. As usual, just be gentle and wash similar colours together.
Can I wash nylons in the washing machine? ›
Choose a gentle or delicate cycle with cold water when using a washing machine. High temperatures can cause the nylon to lose its shape and elasticity.
Can you wash tights with dish soap? ›
Fill up a sink with soapy water.
Plug the drain and fill your sink up with lukewarm water. Then add in a capful of mild soap. Avoid using antibacterial soaps or soaps with that have intense fragrances, as these are typically the harshest.
Do tights shrink in the wash? ›
Generally, you're advised to wash leggings in cold or cool water cycles (or to hand wash). Washing leggings in hot water can cause shrinkage in the fabric as high heat can cause shrinkage.
Should you tumble dry tights? ›
Tights just like bras are very delicate and they can also easily get tangled during a drying cycle. The heat can also cause shrinking so you should really avoid drying your tights in a tumble dryer.
There's no hard and fast rule for how many times you can wear clothing again, but experts say there are a few types that should be washed after every use: underwear, socks, tights, leggings and activewear. This advice also applies to any other clothes with stains, sweat, odor or visible dirt, Mohammed said.
How long should a pair of tights last? ›
Dancers who use tights every day might find that they need to replace them every few months, while those who dance a few times a week could make their tights last for a year or more.
Why do I smell when I wear tights? ›
Avoid the stretchy, sweat-wicking, synthetic stuff.
And a lot of our body's odor compounds — though not all — tend to be polar, like water. Because cotton is also polar, it absorbs sweat and underarm odors and traps the chemical compounds, leading to much less intense odor.
Why do my tights smell so bad? ›
So that means there isn't excess sweat trapped in your clothes, it's bacteria, along with dead skin cells and natural particles that are all contributing to the bad smell (2). There is also a difference in how natural and synthetic workout clothes are affected by this bacteria.
Why do my tights smell after washing? ›
It's simple: “Freshly washed workout clothes still smell sweaty because they aren't thoroughly clean,” explains Mary Marlowe Leverette, a cleaning and fabric care expert and consultant to detergent manufacturers, textile distributors, and consumer laundry appliance developers.
Can you wash tights in a washing machine? ›
If you are going to wash them in the machine, set it on gentle cycle. Any detergent will do so long as it is rated safe for use with hosiery. Check the detergent packaging to see if it is OK to use for delicate clothing. Never use the drying cycle on your washer or put your hosiery in the dryer.
Do tights shrink when washed? ›
Generally, you're advised to wash leggings in cold or cool water cycles (or to hand wash). Washing leggings in hot water can cause shrinkage in the fabric as high heat can cause shrinkage.
Can you tumble dry tights? ›
Tights just like bras are very delicate and they can also easily get tangled during a drying cycle. The heat can also cause shrinking so you should really avoid drying your tights in a tumble dryer.
How to stop tights from going bobbly? ›
How can you stop clothes from bobbling in the wash?
- Wash fabric types separately.
- Use a gentle detergent (liquid, not powder)
- Air dry your clothes (avoid the tumble dryer)
- Wash your clothes by hand.
- Wash your clothes inside out.
- Use a fabric shaver.
- Use a razor blade.
- Use a brush or lint roller.
