How to Properly Take Care of Your Socks, Tights, and Leggings

When it comes to cleaning your hosiery, you can’t just throw them into the laundry machine with the rest of your clothes. This is becaus...

When it comes to cleaning your hosiery, you can’t just throw them into the laundry machine with the rest of your clothes. This is because each type of hosiery has to be cleaned in a particular way to ensure that you don’t accidentally ruin them. If you have no idea where to start, read on to learn the proper care instructions for socks, tights, and leggings.

Sock Care 101

Socks are a necessary part of every fashionista’s wardrobe. But whether you’re washing men’s socks, women’s socks, or sports socks, it’s important to know the right way to clean them. This will help ensure that they remain elastic and comfy.

Keep Your Socks Away From Heat

Exposure to heat can cause socks to lose their elasticity, shortening their lifespan. Hence, it’s a bad idea to iron your socks. Instead, you should wash them in cold water and let them air dry. If you must use a dryer, make sure to pick the lowest setting possible.

Be Gentle When Washing Your Socks

Socks tend to retain the quality of their fabric if you treat them delicately. Thus, always select the gentlest spin cycle when washing them. If your socks are particularly dirty, soak them in cold water for about half an hour before putting them in the washing machine. You can also place them in a garment bag for extra protection.

Skip the Fabric Softener and Bleach

Fabric softener and bleach can compromise the elasticity and moisture-wicking ability of socks. So always stick with a mild detergent, preferably one made with natural ingredients instead of synthetic chemicals.

Tights Care 101

Though tights are already designed to withstand daily use, cleaning them properly can help them last longer.

Rotate Different Pairs of Tights Every Three Days

As a rule of thumb, never wear the same pair of tights for more than three days in a row. By doing so, you can extend the life of your tights in the long run. To maintain this routine, it’s best to keep at least four pairs of tights in your wardrobe.

Freeze Brand New Tights

Every time you buy a new pair of tights, run them under cold water and freeze them overnight. Then, take them out the next day, allowing them to naturally thaw out and air dry in your bathroom. This exposure to frigid temperatures can help compress the fibers in the elastic fabric, resulting in more durable tights that are less likely to get runs.

Use a Lingerie Bag

Since tights are made of a stretchy material, they can easily get tangled up or stretched out in your laundry machine. They may also get caught in the laundry drum, potentially damaging your appliance in the process. Fortunately, you can prevent all this by placing your tights in a lingerie bag along with your underwear and other hosiery. This should be enough to protect them as they tumble around during the laundry spin cycle.

Leggings Care 101

Leggings have become a key wardrobe piece for many women because of the versatility and comfort that they can offer. Though these style staples have become part of everyday fashion, leggings still require special care compared to most other clothes.

Keep Them Dry and Separate from Other Clothes

After a full day of wearing your leggings, don’t just throw them into the hamper with the rest of your clothes, especially if they’re still wet. This is because damp leggings can encourage the growth of mold and mildew, which can spread to the other items in your clothes basket.
So as soon as you take your leggings off, make sure to wash them right away. If that’s not possible, give your wet leggings some time to air dry before placing them in the hamper.

Wash Leggings with Similar Pieces

In general, you should only wash leggings with other activewear and clothes that are also made from synthetic fabrics. Additionally, you should avoid washing them with clothes that come with buttons, fasteners, and zippers. These parts may snag onto the leggings, causing them to tear or rip. You’ll also want to wash leggings separately from cotton textiles or fleece hoodies. The latter two can produce a large amount of lint in the wash, all of which may end up sticking to your leggings.

Be Careful with the Laundry Products You Use

Just like socks, the excessive use of synthetic chemicals on elastic fabrics can ruin their quality and longevity. So when washing your leggings, always use a detergent that is specifically made for activewear and similar types of clothing. Moreover, do not use bleach or fabric softener when washing your leggings. These products are too harsh and will only end up inhibiting their wicking capabilities.

By knowing how to properly care for your hosiery, you can greatly extend their lifespan. With that in mind, you should always make sure to read and follow the care label instructions of each garment, too. That way, you can ensure that your favorite pairs of socks, leggings, and tights will last you much longer.