Leggings are now the most common wardrobe staple for most women. It has become popular for its versatility and comfort. But, do you know, if it isn’t properly cared for, then it might lose its shape or stretch over time? Yes, but you need not worry; here are the top clothing experts who have shared their insider tips on how to improve the lifespan of leggings.
It doesn’t matter if it's ethnic wear, shimmer leggings, or just other every day leggings. These simple care tricks can make a big difference in the life of your leggings. All the way from washing to drying techniques to preventing damages and properly storing, we got you covered. So, let's dive in and discover the secrets to improving the lifespan of your leggings!
Why should you take good care of your leggings?
It is evident that you have to take good care if you want the leggings to withstand the test of time. Just like every other garment available on the market, leggings require proper care and attention to extend their lifespan. You can follow them from the day one of your purchase, or you can also start following these tips for those leggings that you’ve been rocking for some time.
How to properly wash and dry your leggings?
The first step towards taking care of your leggings starts with properly washing your leggings.
For most of the clothes available on the market, cold water is the best choice. Most of the clothes, when washed with hot water, can damage the fibres. Especially for leggings, washing with hot water can damage their fibres, causing them to lose their elasticity and shape, resulting in sagginess. Whereas, cold water is gentle on the fabric, helping to maintain its integrity. So, evidently, by washing your leggings in cold water, you can prevent shrinkage, fading, and stretching, ensuring a longer life span for your favourite pair.
How to dry your washed leggings properly?
After rinsing your leggings, most of you would wring them, which shouldn’t be done. Also, you should never use hard cleaning agents like bleach or throw them in the dryer. The best method to safeguard the fabric is to simply rinse and air dry. Air drying is the way to go when it comes to drying leggings. In fact, it offers several benefits that contribute to extending the lifespan of your leggings.
Reasons why should you choose to air dry the leggings
- Air drying preserves the moisture-wicking properties of the leggings and ensures they are odour-free and fresh.
- It is evident that the risk of heat damage has decreased. (i.e., both with the rinsing motion of the washer or the dryer).
- Air drying eliminates the need for ironing, as it is one of the potential factors that weakens the fabric.
How do you prevent your leggings from pilling, fading, or transferring colour while drying?
Proper drying techniques are greatly helpful to prevent pilling, fading, and colour transfers in leggings. Excessive heat and the circular motion agitation during the machine’s drying process can cause the fibres to break, which results in pilling. Also, the high heat produced can cause dyes to fade, resulting in less vibrance.
Apart from these, drying under direct sunlight can also damage the fibres and weaken the fabric. So, the only right solution is to hang them inside out to minimise the exposure to sunlight or to practise air drying the leggings under a shaded area that can protect the fibres and colour, promoting their life span.
What is the Right Way to Fold or Roll Leggings?
The final and most important part is proper storage. When it comes to storing your leggings, folding or rolling them is the key to preventing wrinkles and maintaining their shape. Here’s the right way to fold or roll your leggings.
- Lay your leggings on a clean and flat surface.
- Fold one leg of the leggings over the other.
- Fold the leggings in half until you reach the desired size for storage.
- Alternatively, you can roll your leggings from the waistband down to the ankles, creating a compact and wrinkle-free bundle.
- Store them in a drawer, shelf, or storage box, away from excessive moisture.
How to prevent damage to leggings?
Follow these tips from experts to prevent damage and increase the lifespan of your leggings.
- Always wash your leggings after turning them inside out to protect the fabric from abrasion in the washing machine.
- Store leggings unfolded to prevent strain on the fabric.
Always consider purchasing quality leggings made from high-quality material like Twin Birds, as they tend to last longer.
Reinforcements or Patches: Are They Worth It?
Yes, reinforcements or patches can help extend the life and increase the durability of the leggings. When it comes to reinforcement or patches, you can consider applying iron-on patches to reinforce high-friction areas and using clear nail polish to prevent runs from spreading. Follow the garment care instructions mentioned for fabric glue and use an iron or heat press to secure patches. Don't forget to replace damaged zippers or accessories.
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Thus, to ensure that your leggings last longer and maintain their quality, proper care is essential. By following these washing and drying ideas, such as cold water washing, air drying instead of machine drying, and strategies to prevent pilling and fading, you can easily pamper the fabric so that it’ll smile happily for many more occasions to come.
More like cleaning stains immediately, inside out drying can add more longevity. I hope this blog has given you a detailed vision of how to improve the lifespan of your leggings. Thus, by implementing these strategies, you could enjoy your leggings for a long period of time and get the most out of them.
