Once considered exclusively as workout clothing, leggings have earned their rightful place in the modern woman’s wardrobe. They’re the pants you slip into for your morning jog, but also the pairs that now make their way to the grocery store, brunch, and curling up on the couch with a book. Workout leggings hold you in on your most powerful days and flexibly stretch with you when all you need is comfort.
As one of your most frequented wardrobe staples, Felina believes that leggings deserve more than a quick toss into the wash. Proper care isn’t just about keeping them clean; it’s about making sure your favorite pair still has that smooth stretch and sleek fit, even after dozens of wears.
Why Does Proper Care Matter for Activewear?
Most workout leggings, whether gym leggings, yoga pants, or sleek athleisure, are made from performance fabrics like nylon, spandex, or polyester blends. These fibers are technical marvels: they wick sweat, resist wrinkles, and move with your body like a second skin. But they’re also delicate.
When leggings are washed carelessly, the fibers can lose their elasticity, colors fade faster, and odors cling stubbornly to the fabric. Suddenly, the leggings that once hugged perfectly at the waist and gave you that “held-in” feeling start to sag at the knees or lose their smooth finish.
Felina’s activewear is designed to combine strength and softness, but even the best fabrics thrive with a little TLC. Caring for your leggings means extending their life, keeping their performance intact, and making sure you feel just as confident on the hundredth wear as you did on the first. Our experts outline below how to keep your favorite activewear in tip-top shape when washing leggings.
How to wash leggings the right way
How do you actually wash leggings without ruining them? Here’s Felina’s step-by-step method:
- Alwaysturn leggings inside out. This protects the fabric’s smooth surface from friction in the wash.
- Use cold water + gentle cycle. Hot and warm water weakens fibers, while cold water keeps them resilient.
- Wash with similar fabrics. Think: sports bras, tanks, light tees. Skip other clothes like jeans, zippers, or towels that cause friction and rough up your leggings.
- Choose the right detergent. Sports-specific or mild detergents designed for activewear do the best job. They’re tough on sweat and odor, but gentle on stretch.
- Skip the fabric softener. We know it’s tempting, but softeners coat the fibers and trap odor. For leggings, softness comes from the fabric itself, not additives.
Pro tip: Imagine you’re washing silk, and keep your cycle gentle and light. Trust us on this one: your leggings will thank you.
Are There Drying Techniques That Protect Performance Fabrics?
Unfortunately, dryers are the silent killers of activewear. Heat breaks down elastic fibers faster than anything else, leading to sagging waistbands and stretched-out knees.
Our approach? Always air or hang dry leggings. Lay them flat on a drying rack or hang them in a breezy corner of your home. Keep them out of direct sunlight, since UV rays can fade darker colors or weaken fibers over time. Air drying might take a little longer, but the payoff is workout leggings that hold their sleek fit and silky finish far longer than you thought possible.
Tips For Odor And Sweat Management
If you’re wearing leggings to the gym or hot yoga, they’re most likely soaking up more than just movement; they’re holding onto sweat, too. Sweat = bacteria growth = odor if you don’t act quickly.
See our tips for preserving your workout leggings through the sweat:
- Rinse leggings immediately. Even a quick rinse under cool water after class buys you time before laundry day.
- Don’t crumple them in a gym bag. Damp, dark environments are bacteria’s best friend.
- Deep clean occasionally. Add half a cup of white vinegar or a sprinkle of baking soda to your wash cycle once in a while. Both neutralize odors without harming fabrics.
Pro tip: Treat your leggings like your favorite water bottle; don’t leave them sitting around dirty for too long. A little quick rinse or hand wash goes a long way.
What Are Common Mistakes To Avoid When Washing Activewear?
Sometimes the biggest mistakes happen with the best intentions. Here are the pitfalls we see most often:
- Overloading the machine. Too many clothes cause friction, which leads to pilling.
- Using too much detergent. Residue can trap odors and actually make leggings less breathable.
- Rewearing sweaty leggings. We’ve all done it, but it’s not worth it. Sweat weakens fibers and makes smells harder to remove.
- Using bleach or ironing. Both will ruin elastic fibers and shorten your leggings’ life.
Think of your leggings like a luxury car: they’ll go the distance, but only if you treat them right.
Choosing Activewear That Lasts Longer
Caring for leggings is just one side of the story. The other is choosing activewear that will go a long way. Felina’s activewear is crafted from high-quality blends that balance softness with durability. Our workout leggings are designed to resist stretch loss and fading, so with proper care, they’ll see you through everything from HIIT workouts to long travel days. We truly believe that investing in better fabrics up front means you’ll spend less replacing them later, and more time enjoying your favorites at their best.
FAQs: Washing Leggings & Activewear
Can you put leggings in the dryer?
Technically, yes, but we don’t recommend it. Tumble drying and heat damage elasticity and shorten the lifespan. Stick to air drying.
What laundry detergent is best for leggings?
Look for mild detergents or active detergents made for performance fabrics. Avoid heavy-duty formulas with bleach or brighteners.
How often should I wash leggings?
If you’ve worked out in your gym leggings, every wear. For light casual wear, for example, when you wear yoga pants to the grocery store, you can stretch them for 2-3 wears, but always air them out in between.
Is fabric softener really that bad?
Unfortunately, yes, your activewear doesn’t love fabric softener. This is because it creates a coating that reduces stretch and traps odor.
How do I keep black leggings from fading?
Wash in cold water, inside out, and avoid direct sunlight when drying. Avoid hot water and heat.
Final Thoughts: Your Leggings Deserve Some TLC
Ultimately, leggings are a part of your lifestyle. That means that they deserve the same care you’d give to any wardrobe essential you rely on every single day. By taking a few extra steps in the laundry room, you’ll preserve their stretch, keep colors bold, and extend the life of the pair that makes you feel your most confident.
Ready to put it into practice? Explore our collection of leggings, designed for women who want leggings that keep up with every version of their day, from the gym to the grocery store and beyond.