How to Care for Your Leggings So They Last Longer

Quick answer

Wash leggings inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, then air-dry them flat or hanging. Skip fabric softener and the dryer, and give high-stretch pairs a rest between wears. This simple routine is the most reliable way to prevent pilling and keep the fabric's stretch and shape intact.

Step-by-step leggings care routine

1. 1. Prep: turn leggings inside out and empty pockets: Turning them inside out protects the outer surface from friction against other garments. Check for hair ties, keys, or anything in pockets. Common mistake: leaving them right-side out, which lets zippers and buttons rub against the fabric and cause pills. Checkpoint: the smooth face of the fabric should be on the inside before the leggings go into the machine.
2. 2. Wash cold on a gentle cycle with like fabrics: Use cold water and a gentle or delicate cycle. Wash leggings with other soft knits, not with towels, jeans, or items with Velcro or zippers. Use a small amount of mild detergent. Common mistake: overloading the machine, which increases friction and stretches seams. Checkpoint: the drum should be about two-thirds full, and the water should feel cool to the touch.
3. 3. Skip fabric softener and bleach: Fabric softener coats elastic fibers and reduces stretch and moisture-wicking ability. Bleach weakens fibers and fades color. If you want a fresh scent, add a half-cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead. Common mistake: using softener to make leggings feel softer, which actually shortens their useful life. Checkpoint: if the bottle says softener or bleach, leave it on the shelf.
4. 4. Air-dry flat or hang, never tumble dry: Heat from a dryer is the fastest way to break down spandex and cause shrinkage or bagging. Lay leggings flat on a drying rack or hang them over a bar. If you must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove them while slightly damp. Common mistake: assuming low heat is safe; any heat cycle adds wear over time. Checkpoint: leggings should be dry to the touch within a few hours in a ventilated room.
5. 5. Store folded, not hung, and rotate your pairs: Hanging leggings by the waistband stretches the elastic over time. Fold them and stack them in a drawer. Rotating between two or three pairs gives each one time to recover its shape. Common mistake: wearing the same pair several days in a row, which accelerates sagging and odor retention. Checkpoint: if the waistband feels loose after a day of wear, it needs more rest time between uses.

Fabric care notes from our activewear lineup

• AuraLight Formosa Biker Short: Shimmering AuraLight Rib: high-stretch and heat-ready; lightweight, sweat-wicking, fast-drying. High-stretch, fast-drying fabrics benefit most from cold-water washes and air-drying, since heat is the main enemy of elasticity and sweat-wicking performance.
• Nicks Sweatpant: Must-touch soft French terry with a comfy encased elastic waistband. French terry is a knit with loops that can snag or pill if washed with zippers and hooks, so use a mesh bag or wash these sweatpants separately from rough items.