How to wash leggings so they last longer
Once you've found a pair of leggings that fit just right, you'll naturally want to enjoy wearing them for as long as possible. Fortunately, a few simple habits can make a real difference to how well they last.
The temperature, detergent and other clothes you put in the wash with your leggings all matter. We've put together our best advice for caring for your leggings, whether you're washing them, drying them or wearing them day to day.
7 tips for washing and caring for leggings
1. Always check the care label
Not all leggings are made from the same materials, so their washing instructions can vary.
Start by checking the care label, especially if you've bought a new pair. Some fabrics tolerate higher temperatures than others, and washing all your activewear in exactly the same way isn't necessarily a good idea.
At Maya Freya, we recommend washing all our leggings at no more than 30°C.
2. Turn your leggings inside out
It only takes a moment, but it can help protect the fabric.
Turning your leggings inside out reduces the friction between the outer surface and other clothes during washing. It's particularly worthwhile if your leggings have a delicate finish or lovely colours and prints that you want to keep looking their best.
3. Watch out for zips, Velcro and rough fabrics
Have you ever noticed a little thread being pulled out of your clothes? This can happen when delicate fabrics come into contact with Velcro or rough surfaces.
Where possible, wash your leggings with other soft clothes and avoid items such as jeans with rough details or garments with Velcro fastenings.
A laundry bag is another good idea, as it provides extra protection during washing.
And this doesn't just apply in the washing machine. Be mindful of rough benches, Velcro on bags and similar surfaces when you're wearing your leggings, too.
4. Choose the right detergent
An everyday laundry detergent suitable for coloured clothes is generally a good choice for leggings.
Choose one without bleach and follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. More detergent doesn't necessarily mean cleaner clothes, and using too much can leave residue in the fabric.
Of course, if your leggings have specific care instructions, always follow those.
5. Skip the tumble dryer
Many leggings contain elastane, which gives the fabric its stretch. High temperatures can affect elastic fibres, so it's best to be careful with tumble drying.
None of our Signature, Eva, Aya, Bea or Maya leggings should be tumble dried.
Instead, allow them to air dry after washing. Avoid ironing them too, as the heat can damage the material.
6. Don't wring or scrub the fabric too hard
If your leggings are very wet after washing, you might be tempted to wring out the water. However, this isn't a good idea, particularly with delicate, stretchy materials.
Avoid twisting the fabric to squeeze out the water. Let your leggings air dry instead.
Take care when treating stains, too. Vigorous scrubbing can wear down the fabric's surface, so it's better to treat a stain as gently as possible.
7. Wash them when they need it
Your leggings don't necessarily need to go in the washing machine every time you've worn them.
If you've worn them for a quiet day at home and they aren't dirty or smelly, airing them out may be enough.
If you've worn them for a workout and worked up a sweat, though, it's a good idea to wash them afterwards.
It's simply about keeping your clothes clean without washing them more often than necessary.
How to wash your Maya Freya leggings
Although our leggings come in different fabrics and finishes, the care instructions are fortunately much the same.
We've brought together the most important care instructions for all our leggings, so you can easily refer back to them:
- Wash at a maximum of 30°C.
- Turn your leggings inside out before washing.
- Consider using a laundry bag, and keep them separate from rough fabrics.
- Avoid bleach and detergents containing bleach.
- Air dry and do not tumble dry.
- Do not iron the fabric.
- Protect the material from Velcro and rough surfaces.
The same basic care instructions also apply to our capris and shorts.
How do you remove stains from leggings?
It's almost impossible to avoid the occasional stain on your clothes. And generally, the sooner you deal with it, the better your chances of removing it.
Start by gently dabbing the stain with a little cold or lukewarm water. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can wear down the fabric's surface.
If water isn't enough, try a small amount of mild detergent suitable for the material. It's worth testing it on an inconspicuous area first, and be careful with strong stain removers.
Different stains need different treatments, so always follow the fabric's care instructions. For Maya Freya leggings, avoid products containing bleach.
Explore our extensive range of leggings in different styles, fabrics, lengths and fits. Not sure which to choose? Our popular Signature Leggings are a firm favourite. We've sold over 1 million pairs of leggings, more than 200,000 women already love and wear our products, and we've received over 6,000 positive reviews on Trustpilot.
