How to Wash Tights Properly 2023

Published by Hala Zaqqout on March 3, 2022 | Last updated on May 13, 2023

When you find the perfect pair of tights, you want to make them last as long as possible. Keep every pair of pantyhose looking new by treating them properly, from sheer to opaque and nylon to spandex because nothing wears down your tights like careless laundering.

This way, you’ll be able to keep the color, elasticity, and fabric integrity for much longer than you thought possible.

When you wear tights several times a week, they can become filthy quickly. But, given that not washing is a pretty gross thing to do, it’s probably time we learned how.

You don’t know how to wash tights properly?

After reading this Cleaners Advisor article, you’ll know when you should wash your tights, as you’ll be able to wash your favorite tights using the two methods mentioned below, then you can dry them easily by following our steps.

You’ll also find a few tips on how to keep your tights as new and to extend their life and keep them looking as good as the day you bought them.

Table of Contents

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How to Wash Tights?

1. Hand Washing

Handwashing is the most effective and safest method of caring for delicate tights and hosiery. This will ensure that the color and elasticity are preserved for as long as possible.

And with these few simple steps, you can do it easily! Follow these 3 easy steps to hand wash your tights.

a. Prep Hand-Washing Detergent

To wash your tights, fill a sink halfway with lukewarm water and add half a cup of mild laundry detergent. Any detergent will suffice, but you can also look for detergent made especially for delicate clothing.

Use lukewarm water because hot water can reduce the elasticity of your tights and affect their fit.

b. Submerge the Tights

First, turn your tights inside out. Place the tights gently in the water mixture and begin to scrub.

Avoid rubbing and pulling, but instead gently scrub the areas most prone to bacteria, such as the feet and crotch area. Allow your tights to soak for about 10 minutes.

c. Rinse and Dry

Remove the tights from the water once they have finished soaking. Rinse them with cold water under the sink faucet. Rinse until no more suds come out of the tights.

Squeeze out excess water by tightening into a ball. Roll up the tights and place them on top of a towel to dry any remaining spots. Lay flat on a lint-free towel to dry.

Check out this video below and follow the easy and simple steps to wash your tights properly without ruining them.

2. Washing Machine

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If you must machine wash your favorite finds, go ahead and do it gently. However, keep in mind that washing machines can expose hosiery to lint, which can cause the color to appear dull.

To avoid common pitfalls keep them from getting damaged, make sure to take the following 3 steps:

a. Put Your Tights in a Lingerie Bag

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Place them in a fine weave lingerie bag and zip it closed before tossing them in. This process is important because it prevents lint from gathering on your tights, which is nearly impossible to remove.

It also prevents them from twisting around the agitator, snagging, and tearing resulting in permanently misshapen tights. If you don’t have a lingerie bag, place the tights in a pillowcase and close the top with a rubber band.

b. Add detergent to the Washing Machine

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Start the washing machine on a gentle/ hand wash cycle with cold water temperature and the appropriate amount of mild detergent.

But don’t use fabric softener or bleach to clean your tights.

c. Wash Them by Themselves

Place the lingerie bag of tights in the washing machine with no other clothing.

This will further prevent any snagging or tearing from happening.

Watch this video below to learn how to wash your tights properly in the washing machine and keep them in good condition.

How to Dry Your Tights?

1. Roll the Tights Up into a Towel

Lay the hosiery on a clean towel after washing. Roll up the towel and then press down on it to absorb moisture from the hosiery.

2. Lay Your Tights Out Flat

Lay your tights out flat on another clean towel. Allow them to air dry after it has been placed on the towel. After about an hour, check the hosiery. Once it’s completely dry, store it.

3. Avoid the Dryer

The dryer can cause many problems for tights such as shrinkage, tearing, and loss of elasticity. Choose this drying method if you want your tights to last longer.

4. Stay Away from the Clothesline

Stay away from the clothesline. While not as damaging as the dryer, hanging your hosiery to dry can also cause damage. Hanging your hosiery, in particular, may stretch it out and cause it to fit looser than it should.

How Often Should You Wash Tights?

There are varying ideas on whether you can actually wait for two wears before washing your tights, but the general consensus appears to be that between one and two is the magic time to put them in the sink.

That’s right, the sink. Washing tights in the washing machine is a great way to ensure that your pair gets a lot of runs.

Washing your tights is essential if you don’t want to go out and buy a new pair every week.

If you have a gorgeous that you can’t live without, keep in mind that it’s not the same as your favorite denim. Put those babies in a sink with warm water and detergent, and you’re ready to go!

Top Tips for Washing Your Tights

Here’re some instructions and tips you should follow on how to wash tights to keep your tights and prevent them from ruining:

Remove all jewelry before hand-washing your stockings to avoid snagging or damaging them.
Don’t use a dryer to dry your stockings because the heat can damage the nylon and elasticity. The dryer can also tear or snag your stockings, causing them to be damaged.
Also, do not dry your stockings on a clothesline. By hanging your stockings, you risk snagging them on pegs and causing the line to dent and stretch your stockings, resulting in permanent damage and a looser fit.

How to Wash Tights FAQ

Can tights or sportswear go in the drying machine?

No, never use the dryer after washing your tights/sportswear. All sportswear should be hung on a drying rack. The fabrics technical qualities will make it dry fast at room temperature alone.

Can tights go in the washing machine?

Yes, gym tights and leggings can be washed in the washing machine. Make sure to wash them at maximum 30°C (approximately 86°F). If your washing machine has a wool program or a program for fine textiles, silk or technical wear, use that.
We also recommend that you use a washing program with low spin. Hard centrifugation over time can damage the tights technical qualities.

How do you wash white or light colored tights?

White leggings should be washed as regular leggings. We would not recommend that you wash your gym leggings with other textiles – wash only with other sportswear. Do not use bleach.

To Wrap Up

This article answered about how to wash tights, there’re two main ways to wash your stockings, by hand or washing machine. follow the steps we mentioned above but make sure to follow the tips and instructions we provided in this Cleaners Advisor article.

If you do it right, you’ll have amazing tights to Keep in optimal condition for as long as you possibly could.

Still have any questions on how to wash tights or any questions related to this issue? do you want to add helpful information about washing tights? Then leave us a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!