Should You Be Washing Your Leggings Inside Out? Here’s What the Laundry Experts Say

If you want your leggings to last as long as possible, this laundry hack might be worth trying.

Washing leggings can pose a frustrating laundry challenge, especially if you want to keep the garment looking and feeling brand new. Preventing pilling and preserving softness while leaving the leggings feeling clean and smelling fresh can be tricky—especially if the leggings are worn during sweaty exercise and need a thorough wash.

Turning certain types of clothes (particularly leggings) inside out is a laundry strategy that some swear by, but does it actually work? We turned to a laundry expert to find out. They gave us the inside scoop on the correct way to wash dirty leggings and how to keep them looking their best.

Related: 7 Common Laundry Mistakes That Can Damage Clothes

Should Leggings Be Washed Inside Out?

Sammy Wang, P&G fabric care senior scientist, shared her thoughts on this legging laundry hack. “While it’s not necessary to wash clothes inside out, there are a few reasons to,” she says. Wang explains that the top motivators for this simple action can be to protect the leggings from abrasion or dye transfer and to expose the inside of them to get a better clean. If you’re washing your leggings often, this small step may make a big difference over time.

“Heavier items, like denim that have zippers and buttons, can abrade or damage lighter fabrics like athletic clothes or leggings,” Wang says. Turning leggings inside out to prevent abrasion and dye transfer can help maintain their texture, color, and any pattern or decorative element. Conversely, you can also turn abrasive clothes, like denim, inside out to prevent them from wearing down soft items, like leggings, in the load. Minimizing surface contact with the leggings will help prevent fabric pills from forming as well.

Since leggings are often worn for exercise and are tight-fitting, it’s no surprise that a deeper clean on the interior of the leggings might be necessary. Turning the leggings inside out for cleaning purposes exposes the inside surface to more washing and tumbling action, Wang says. This is especially helpful if there’s a tough stain on the inside of the leggings or if there’s a lingering post-workout smell on them.

Related: How Often Should You Wash Jeans?

More Tips for Washing Leggings

Besides washing your leggings inside out, there are a few more ways to extend their lifespan and keep their brand-new appearance. Before trying any of these suggestions, always check the care label on your clothing for exact instructions.

• Use the cold water setting on your washing machine to maintain the quality of the fabric’s fibers and shape of the leggings.
• Avoid fabric softener, as it can hinder the legging’s moisture-wicking properties.
• To further avoid abrasion, wash leggings with like items, such as other leggings or similar workout clothes that do not have rough fabric or zippers.
• Lay leggings flat to air-dry rather than using a dryer to maintain their shape.

Related: How to Wash Workout Clothes: 13 Tips for Removing Odors and Stains

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