How to Wash Tights Without Damaging Them

Tights are delicate, but they are not difficult to care for. Most of the damage comes from heat, friction and the washing machine’s drum — all of which are easy to manage once they become habit. A little attention at wash time is the simplest way to get months rather than weeks out of a pair.

The golden rules

1. Wash them often, but gently. Fresh tights snag less than tired ones, and regular washing stops oils and sweat from weakening the elastane.
2. Keep the temperature low. Cool or lukewarm water protects the fibres; heat is the enemy.
3. Never use the tumble dryer. It is the fastest way to ruin the stretch and the fit.
4. Separate them from hooks and zips. These cause the majority of snags, both in the wash and in the drawer.
5. Handle them with smooth hands. Rough nails, rings and bracelets catch fine yarn.

Before you wash

A few seconds of preparation prevents most problems:

• Check the care label first and follow it if it is more specific than this guide.
• Turn the tights inside out. This protects the outer surface and lets the detergent reach the skin side.
• Fasten any hooks or zips on other items, or better still, keep hosiery out of a mixed load entirely.
• Deal with stains as soon as you can by dabbing with cool water — never rub.

Washing by hand

Hand washing is the gentlest option and takes only a few minutes.

1. Fill a bowl with cool water and a small amount of gentle, non-biological detergent.
2. Submerge the tights and squeeze them softly through the water. Do not wring, scrub or twist.
3. Empty the bowl and rinse in cool water until it runs clear.
4. Press the water out gently between two clean towels. Do not wring.
5. Lay flat to dry.

Using a washing machine

A machine is perfectly safe with a little preparation — the key is to stop the tights from being stretched or caught.

• Turn the tights inside out.
• Place them in a mesh laundry bag (one or two pairs per bag at most).
• Choose a delicate, hand-wash or wool cycle at 30°C or lower.
• Use a low spin speed and a gentle liquid detergent.
• Wash with similar light items, not heavy towels or items with zips.

What to avoid

• Fabric softener, which coats the fibres and reduces both stretch and breathability.
• Biological powders, which are harsher on fine yarns.
• Temperatures above 40°C, and anything approaching a boil wash.
• Overloading, which increases friction in the drum.

Drying

Lay tights flat to dry, away from direct heat and sunlight. Radiators, airing cupboards and tumble dryers all degrade elastane over time.

If you are short of space, drape them over a clean, smooth towel or a padded hanger rather than a wire one. Hanging tights by the waistband while wet can stretch them out of shape.

Storing tights

• Fold or roll them loosely rather than stretching them over a hanger.
• Keep them away from rough items: jewellery, hair accessories, Velcro and zips.
• A drawer divider or a small mesh bag keeps pairs tidy and protects the surface.
• Store clean, fully dry tights only. Damp storage encourages odour and weakens the yarn.

Dealing with snags and ladders

Even careful owners will catch a pair eventually. Acting quickly limits the damage:

• Do not pull a loose thread. Ease the fabric flat around it instead.
• A tiny dab of clear nail varnish at the end of a small run can help stop it travelling further.
• Minor snags at the toe or waistband can often be lived with; a run in the leg usually means the pair has reached the end of its life.

The freezer myth

You may have read that putting tights in the freezer strengthens them. Cold does not alter the yarn, so this does not work in any meaningful way. Buying a good denier with decent elastane, washing them gently and rotating several pairs will do far more for their lifespan — see our guide to denier if you are unsure what to look for.

Frequently asked questions

Can you machine wash tights?

Yes, on a delicate cycle at 30°C or lower, inside a mesh bag. Hand washing is gentler, but a careful machine wash is fine.

Do tights shrink?

Heat is the main cause of shrinkage and loss of shape. Wash cool, avoid the dryer and lay flat to dry and they should keep their size.

Should you wash tights after every wear?

Ideally, yes. Skin oils and perspiration gradually weaken elastane, and clean tights are less likely to snag. If you rotate several pairs, washing after each wear is easy to keep up with.

How do you keep tights from snagging?

Smooth nails, no rings when dressing, a mesh bag in the wash and careful storage away from rough items. Our piece on styling socks takes the same principles further for everyday knitwear.

The short version

Cool water, gentle detergent, no fabric softener, no dryer, and a mesh bag if you use a machine. Treat your tights kindly and they will reward you with a longer, shapelier life.