HOW TO WASH LEGGINGS

It’s a good idea to wash leggings after every workout or sweaty wearing. Regular washing helps keep activewear fresh, functional and long-lasting. For leggings worn during light errands without sweating, washing after every wear may not be necessary—use your judgment based on odor, visible soil, personal preferences and the care label instructions.

The care label usually offers fabric-specific guidance on wash frequency and temperature. If leggings smell or look soiled, wash them regardless of how long they have been worn. When leggings sit in a hamper for too long, sweat and body oils have more time to settle into the fibers, which can make odors harder to remove later.

Machine-washing leggings is straightforward when following a few key steps. Knowing which washer cycles and settings to use makes it easier to match the wash to the specific material and how soiled the load is. Always start with the care label before choosing settings, then work through each step below for a thorough wash.

Some leggings may require hand washing per the care label. Hand washing is the gentlest method and can help preserve stretch and shape, since cold water and gentle care help maintain the fit of synthetic fabrics. Learning how to hand wash leggings is simple: prepare the water, wash gently, rinse thoroughly and press out water without wringing.

Fill a basin or sink with cool or cold water and add a small amount of mild detergent, mixing until dissolved. Submerge the leggings and gently agitate the water with your hands. Let them soak for 20-30 minutes, then gently squeeze the soapy water through the fabric to help loosen dirt and oils.

For added convenience, select Maytag^® washers offer a Built-in Water Faucet that allows you to rinse, spot treats or soak clothes right in the washer—no extra steps needed. This can be a handy option for pretreating compatible leggings before a regular wash cycle.

Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean, cool water. Gently squeeze the leggings to work clean water through the fabric, repeating until no detergent residue remains. Avoid twisting or wringing the fabric, as this can stretch and damage the elastic fibers that give leggings their stretch and fit.

Lay the leggings flat on a clean, dry towel. Roll the towel with the leggings inside and press gently to absorb excess water. Avoid wringing or twisting—this can stretch and damage the elastic fibers. Unroll the towel and proceed to air-drying the leggings flat to help maintain their shape.

Some leggings have linings or finishes that call for special treatment. Special materials may need adjustments to the standard washing routine, whether that means a different water temperature, cycle type or drying method. Always read the care label first for fabric-specific guidance before proceeding with any of the methods below.

To learn how to wash faux leather leggings, start with the care label—many faux-leather leggings may require dry cleaning, hand washing or spot cleaning rather than machine-washing. If machine-washable, use cold water on a gentle or delicate cycle. Air-dry only, since dryer heat can harm faux-leather finishes and lead to cracking or peeling. Avoid fabric softener and bleach, as both can degrade the material over time.

For those wondering how to wash fleece lined leggings, check the care label for specific instructions. These leggings are sometimes machine-washable on a gentle cycle with cold water. Turn them inside out before washing to help protect the fleece lining from friction and pilling. Air-dry or tumble dry on low heat if the care label permits, and avoid high heat to help preserve the softness of the fleece.

Check the care label—some wool leggings are machine-washable on a delicate cycle. Use cold water and a gentle, wool-friendly detergent. Air-dry flat to help maintain shape and avoid wringing, which can stretch wool fibers.

Spandexy materials like the ones sometimes used in athletic gear and leggings tend to hold onto perspiration, which means odors can cling to them even after a regular wash cycle. For those looking into how to get smells out of leggings, baking soda can help—adding roughly ½ cup to the wash load can help neutralize some odors, and for persistent smells, a paste made from water and baking soda can be worked directly into the fabric.

Legging materials are often synthetic fabrics, and these materials often trap perspiration because that is what they are designed to do. So really stubborn odors can sometimes linger, even after a wash cycle—especially if these items weren’t washed right away and spent time waiting in a laundry pile. Letting your clothes sit too long before washing … or sit too long in a wet heap in the washer without moving them to the dryer, can all contribute to continued trapped odors in the fabric. When learning how to get sweat smell out of leggings, the key is addressing both the fabric type and the wash routine.

Wash leggings as soon as possible after workouts—do not let them sit in a hamper. For persistent odors, mix baking soda with a small amount of water to form a paste and work it into the fabric before washing. Adjust the load size, since overcrowding can keep the wash from cleaning thoroughly. Use the right amount of detergent and consider an odor-fighting detergent or an extra rinse cycle to help flush out trapped residue. For more targeted solutions, zeroing in on sweat stains by using soaking methods and treatment pastes can help tackle stubborn odor at the source.

The care label determines whether to air-dry or tumble dry leggings. Letting synthetic garments dry flat on their own is generally the recommended approach for helping to preserve their shape and fit. Knowing how to dry leggings properly helps preserve stretch and avoid shrinkage. The sections below cover both air-drying and dryer options.

Air-drying is generally the gentlest method for leggings. Lay leggings flat on a clean, dry towel or drying rack. Reshape them while damp to help maintain their form and avoid stretching. Avoid hanging leggings by the waistband, since this can stretch the fabric and distort the fit over time. Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat sources, which can damage elastic fibers and cause fading. Air-drying takes a bit longer than using a dryer, but it helps leggings hold their shape and stretch.

Check the care label—some leggings permit tumble drying on low heat. Use the lowest heat setting or air-dry cycle if the care label allows. High heat can damage elastic fibers, cause shrinkage and reduce the lifespan of leggings. Remove leggings promptly from the dryer to help minimize wrinkles. If leggings cannot be moved to the dryer right away, select Maytag^® washers offer the 12 Hr Fresh Spin^™ Option, which guards against wrinkles with additional tumbling up to 12 hours after the wash cycle ends.

These frequently asked questions address care decisions beyond the standard washing routine. Read on for quick answers to commonly asked questions.

SHOP MAYTAG^® WASHING MACHINES

When laundry day rolls around, having a dependable washing machine can make all the difference. Maytag^® washing machines are built to handle tough loads day after day, with select models offering features like the Extra Power button, which boosts stain fighting on any wash cycle with an intense pre-wash and extra agitation.

This article includes AI-generated content that our human team has reviewed and edited to ensure quality.