Washing sportswear, including sports and yoga leggings, requires special care to maintain their shape and quality. In this blog, we'll give you some handy tips and tricks on how to wash your leggings properly so that you can enjoy them for longer. Especially when it comes to our yoga and fitness leggings, we want to make sure they stay beautiful for as long as possible.

How do you wash your leggings and shorts?

Soaking or prewash
If your leggings have nasty stains, it is recommended to pre-soak them. Dissolve a little detergent in a tub or bucket of lukewarm water and place the leggings in the soapy water for about 10 to 15 minutes. If the leggings have an unpleasant odor, adding a little vinegar to the soapy water can neutralize it.

What is the appropriate temperature for machine washing leggings?
Sort your laundry by color, so that you have a white wash and a dark wash. Do not wash leggings together with garments containing zips, Velcro, or other rough materials, as these can damage the leggings. Always turn your leggings inside out before putting them in the washing machine. Preferably place the leggings in a laundry bag to reduce the chances of damaging the fabric. Select a wash program with a maximum temperature of 30 degrees, using a low spin or gentle cycle.

It is advisable to hang the leggings to dry after washing. This way, you avoid damaging the fabric and preserve its softness and stretch. If using a tumble dryer is preferred, select the lowest temperature setting suitable for delicate fabrics.

Hand wash
Alternatively, you can choose to hand wash your leggings, which is a gentler method that protects the fabric from damage. Fill a tub or bucket with cold or lukewarm water and dissolve some detergent in it. Wait for the detergent to dissolve before putting the leggings in. Soak the leggings for about 10 to 15 minutes and then gently wash them with your hands. Gently agitate the fabric by rubbing the leggings together underwater. After washing, rinse the leggings thoroughly with cold water, wring them out gently and, if necessary, pat them dry with a towel before hanging them to dry.

The right detergent for Leggings and Shorts

The importance of the right fabrics: Explore our other blog for more information. Besides washing your yoga leggings correctly, it is also essential to understand the right fabrics. Find out more about the different fabrics used for yoga clothing and their unique properties in our blog "Which fabrics are best for making yoga clothing". Learn how to make the perfect choice for comfort, breathability, and performance during your yoga sessions. Visit our website and increase your knowledge about yoga clothing fabrics.

Protect the environment when washing your leggings

Minimize environmental impact while washing your leggings. Many are made of polyester materials that release harmful microplastics during washing. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce this impact:

• Use a laundry bag: Place your leggings in a special laundry bag, which helps prevent microplastics from entering wastewater.
• Choose a shorter wash programme: Opt for a shorter wash programme if possible, as longer cycles can cause more friction and wear, resulting in more microplastic loss.
• Wash at lower temperatures: Cold water or lower temperatures reduce fabric friction and wear, resulting in less microplastic loss.
• Limit the use of the dryer: Drying leggings in a dryer can increase the wear of the fabric, thereby releasing more microplastics. Hang your leggings to air dry.

By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of microplastics released when washing your leggings and thus make a positive contribution to preserving the environment.

Always consult the care label

Always consult the washing label of your leggings for specific instructions. Generally, it is recommended to machine wash leggings at a temperature of up to 30 degrees. Use the tumble dryer on a low temperature or choose delicate laundry. Avoid bleaching and ironing your leggings as this can damage the fabric.

• Machine wash at up to 30 degrees
• Use a tumble dryer on a low temperature or delicate setting
• Do not bleach
• Do not iron

Note: The above methods are also great for washing shorts, T-shirts, and yoga bras.