How to wash leggings
From school drop-offs and morning workouts to relaxing at home with the family, leggings—and their close cousin, the yoga pant—are a common staple of the modern wardrobe. Their comfort and versatility make them an everyday essential, so knowing how to care for them properly is key to helping them last. With a few straightforward steps, you can easily learn how to wash leggings, helping to ensure they stay fresh, comfortable and ready for whatever your day holds.
How often should leggings be washed?
Leggings should generally be washed after every wear, especially if used for a workout or strenuous activity. For casual, low-sweat wear, you might go two to three wears between washes to help preserve the fabric's integrity.
Sweat, natural body oils and dead skin cells can transfer to the fabric during wear. These substances can degrade the delicate elastic fibers, like spandex or elastane, over time. Furthermore, this buildup can create a breeding ground for bacteria, which is the primary cause of lingering odors. Frequent washing is the most effective way to maintain the hygiene, performance and longevity of your activewear.
How to wash leggings & yoga pants: a step-by-step guide
Following a consistent method when washing leggings and other athletic wear can make a significant difference in how they hold up over time. Before you begin, it's always a good idea to check the laundry care symbols on the garment's tag for specific instructions when you’re considering how to wash yoga pants and leggings. Properly sorting your laundry by fabric type is also a great habit to get into. Follow these four steps the next time you need to wash your leggings.
Step 1: Turn them inside out
Before placing your leggings in the washer, turn them completely inside out. The inner surface of the leggings is in direct contact with your skin, accumulating the most sweat, oils and bacteria. Washing them inside out exposes this side to the most direct action from the water and detergent. This simple action also helps protect the outer surface of the garment from friction, which helps prevent pilling and may also help preserve the color and finish of the fabric.
Step 2: Use a mesh laundry bag
Placing leggings inside a mesh laundry bag can help provide an important layer of protection during the wash cycle. The bag helps prevent them from getting stretched, snagged or tangled with other items that may have zippers, buttons or hooks. This is especially helpful for leggings with delicate details like mesh panels or intricate seams. Using a bag helps maintain the garment's original shape and help reduce wear and tear.
Step 3: Choose a gentle detergent
Select a mild detergent that is formulated for performance fabrics or delicate items. It is important to avoid using fabric softener or detergents with built-in softeners when washing leggings. Fabric softeners can leave behind a waxy coating on the fibers that can inhibit the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric, which are essential for workout apparel.
Step 4: Select the right cycles
Learning how to choose the right laundry cycles is key for proper fabric care. For leggings, choose a gentle or delicate wash cycle and always use cold water. Understanding the difference between the delicate vs. hand wash cycles can also help you make the best choice for your garments. The synthetic fibers used in most leggings, such as spandex, Lycra and elastane, are sensitive to heat, so be sure to air dry the garment or use a low or no-heat cycle to help maintain softness and prevent stretching.
Shop Whirlpool® Washing Machines
You need a washing machine that helps you care for your family’s activewear and other everyday essentials. Select Whirlpool® Washing Machines have helpful features like a Delicate Cycle or Soak Cycle, as well as a Smooth Spiral Stainless Steel Wash Basket that helps protect fabrics from snagging. Some Whirlpool® Smart Washers offer Specialty Cycles, so you can get the right clean for your clothes by downloading Specialty Cycles from the Whirlpool® App for items like activewear, swimwear, sleeping bags and more.
How to get sweat smell out of leggings
Sometimes, even after a wash, stubborn odors can linger in synthetic fabrics. If you notice a persistent sweat smell in your leggings, a simple pre-soak can help neutralize the odors before you even start the washer. There are several ways to get body odor smells out of clothes, but a pre-soak is a great start.
While some might consider using bleach in the laundry for tough odors, it can damage the delicate fibers of leggings and is best avoided for this type of fabric. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that helps neutralize the acidic compounds in sweat that cause odors. To help get stubborn smells out of leggings, pre-soak them for at least 30 minutes in a basin of cold water with a half-cup of baking soda before machine washing. Or, add the half-cup directly to your washer and run a pre-soak cycle.
How to hand wash leggings
Hand washing can be an effective and gentle alternative for particularly delicate or expensive leggings, or if you’re directed to do so by the care tags—or simply if you only need to wash a single pair of leggings.
Step 1:
Fill a sink or basin with cold water and add a small amount of a mild detergent, swishing the water to create a light lather.
Step 2:
Submerge the leggings in the soapy water and gently agitate them with your hands for a minute or two. Let them soak for 20-30 minutes.
Step 3:
Drain the soapy water and rinse the leggings thoroughly with cool, clean water. Continue rinsing until no more soap bubbles appear.
Step 4:
Gently squeeze the water out of the leggings. Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric, as this can stretch and damage the delicate fibers.
Shop all Whirlpool® Dryers
Your dryer is your partner on laundry day, helping you get your family’s clothes back to clean and comfy. Select Whirlpool® Dryers have features like Advanced Moisture Sensing which uses sensors to detect moisture and temperature to help prevent over-drying, while settings like the Wrinkle Shield™ Option help keep wrinkles from setting in.
Frequently asked questions about washing leggings
Here are answers to some common questions about caring for leggings to help you feel confident in your laundry routine:
Can you put leggings in the dryer?
It's best to air-dry leggings to protect their shape and elasticity. High heat from a dryer can damage the delicate synthetic fibers like spandex, causing them to lose their stretch. If you must use a dryer, select the lowest possible heat setting or a no-heat, air-fluff cycle. The ideal method for drying leggings is to lay them flat on a clean surface or hang them on a drying rack away from direct sunlight.
What is the activewear mode on a washing machine?
Some washer makes and models include an activewear or sportswear cycle, a specialized setting that uses cold water and lower spin speeds to help clean synthetic fabrics without damaging them. Some Whirlpool® Smart Washers such as this model allow you to download Specialty Cycles from the Whirlpool® App for items like activewear, swimwear, sleeping bags and more.
Shop Whirlpool® Laundry Sets
Whirlpool® Washer and Dryer sets are designed to work together to help you get your family’s laundry done. Stackable pairs take up a smaller footprint while select models help keep clean clothes fresh in the washer and wrinkle-free in the dryer. Match your washing machines capabilities with a dryer that complements it in looks and features.
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