How to Wash Leggings So They Last: A Five Step Routine
Designed in Scottsdale, Arizona
Wash them right. Wear them longer.
Wash leggings inside out, in cold water, on a gentle cycle, with no fabric softener, and hang them to dry. That one routine keeps the stretch, the color and the squat proof fabric for a year of weekly wear, not one season.
The five step routine, in order
Most leggings do not wear out. They get cooked. Heat, softener and friction break down the stretch fibers, and then the waistband rolls and the fabric goes thin. Do these five things and that stops.
Turn them inside out
The inside takes the sweat, oil and sunscreen. The outside takes the friction. Inside out puts the dirty side against the water and keeps the outside from pilling in the drum.
Wash in cold, on gentle
Cold water holds color and protects stretch. Keep the load to similar fabrics. Zippers, Velcro and towels are the usual causes of snags and pills, so keep them out of the drum.
Use less detergent, and skip the softener
Softener coats the fabric and traps odor, which is why leggings can smell fine out of the dryer and bad ten minutes into a workout. Phoenix tap water is hard, so extra detergent leaves residue. A small amount of liquid detergent is enough.
Hang them to dry
A drying rack or a shower rod works. In Arizona, indoors dries them in a couple of hours. A hot dryer is the single fastest way to kill elastic, and a car dashboard or a garage in July does the same thing.
Wash them right after a sweaty session
Sweat sitting in a gym bag turns into odor that is hard to wash out later. Rinse or wash them the same day when you can. For a light wear, air them out and wear them once more.
If a pair is already rolling at the waist, the fit may be the issue, not the wash. Read why leggings roll down before you blame the laundry.
What ruins a pair fastest
| Habit | What it does | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Hot dryer | Breaks down the elastic. Stretch goes slack. | Hang dry, or air only |
| Fabric softener | Coats fibers, holds odor, dulls wicking | Skip it. Use a splash of white vinegar if you must |
| Washing with jeans or towels | Friction pills the surface | Wash with other activewear |
| Sitting wet in a bag | Bacteria and a permanent smell | Hang them the moment you get home |
| Too much detergent | Residue that irritates skin and holds sweat | Use about half of what the cap says |
Sheer is a different problem from worn out. A pair that shows through is a fabric and fit issue, and our 10 second squat proof test tells you which one you have.
How often to wash
After one to two wears for a light day, such as errands or a flight. After every wear for a hot workout. Right away for anything you sweat through. Leggings last longer if you rotate two or three pairs, because the fabric needs time to recover between wears. That is also an easy way to match a bottom to a top, which is covered in how to mix and match activewear colors.
The pair that earns the routine
The Luna Legging comes in black, mint and blush, in small, medium and large. Black is the work horse. Mint and blush show wear faster if you skip the steps above, so they reward the routine most.
One click set: Luna Legging Black plus Luna Bra Black, $123
Both go straight to checkout. Pick your size.
Packing for a trip? Leggings that dry on a hotel towel rack are why we wrote what to wear on a plane, and the gym bag guide covers how to keep a wet pair from ruining the rest of the bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put leggings in the dryer?
You can, on air only or the lowest heat setting, but hanging them is better. High heat damages elastic, and that is where the stretch and shape come from.
How do I get the smell out of leggings?
Soak them for 30 minutes in cold water with a half cup of white vinegar, then wash as normal and hang dry. Skip softener, which traps odor.
Should I wash leggings inside out?
Yes. Inside out protects the outer surface from friction and pilling and puts the sweat side against the water.
How often should I wash leggings?
Wash after every sweaty workout. For a light wear, you can wear them once or twice more if you air them out between wears.
Why do my leggings get see through over time?
Heat and friction thin the fabric and loosen the knit. Cold water, gentle cycles and air drying slow that down.
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