Tights are must-haves in any woman’s closet. Wearing them boosts confidence, gives flawless-looking legs, offers warmth during cold weather, and provides protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun. Wearing tights can also transform your style from drab to fab in an instant as they come in various types, colors, patterns, and designs. Because of this, there’s always a pair to complement any mood or fashion preference. You will learn about washing and storing your tights to care for them properly.
Considering how your tights provide all these fantastic benefits, the least you can do is care for them properly to remain in good condition. Remember that tights are very delicate and prone to rips, runs, and snags. If you fail to take care of them, you will have to buy tights repeatedly, which will only be a waste of your hard-earned money.
Perhaps you’re wondering how you can keep your tights in optimal condition for as long as possible. If that’s the case, read on. Besides purchasing high-quality pairs from a reputable brand, there are plenty of ways you can preserve your precious tights. In this article, you will learn the basic dos and don’ts in washing and storing your beloved pairs and other helpful tips to extend the life of your tights.
Dos and Don’ts When Washing Tights
To keep your tights in good condition, you must learn how to wash them correctly. After all, careless laundering is one of the surest ways to ruin a gorgeous pair. Keep your tights clean and looking like new even after multiple wears by keeping the following washing dos and don’ts in mind:
Do Hand wash Whenever Possible
Always choose to wash your tights by hand whenever possible to preserve the integrity of the material. Handwashing is also the best way to keep them clean and fresh while protecting their elasticity and color. Before you begin, be sure to sort them by color as you would with your other garments to prevent staining. Wash dark and colorful pieces together, and make sure to do the light-colored items separately.
Do Use a Mesh Wash Bag
Although handwashing your tights is the best option, you may sometimes be too busy and won’t have any free time to do so. If you must use a washing machine, always remember to place your dirty tights inside of a mesh wash bag. This will keep them from getting stretched, torn, or tangled with other garments as your laundry is spun around inside of the washing machine.
You can also use a pillowcase if you don’t have a mesh bag available. However, be sure to tie the opening securely so that your tights won’t tumble out of the pillowcase during the wash cycle.
Do Skip the Dryer
If you choose to machine-wash your tights, always skip the automatic dryer. The strong heat from the dryer could damage the quality and elasticity of the tights’ material. The spinning action can also weaken the fabric, making it more prone to runs and tears.
Instead, dry your tights by laying them on top of a clean towel. Fold the towel in half and press down until the towel absorbs most of the moisture. Then, unroll the towel and leave the tights to air-dry.
Do Think “Gentle” and “Mild”
If you are using a machine to wash your tights, always remember to choose the gentle wash cycle as it is the mildest and shortest cleaning cycle available. You should also use a mild detergent that is designed specifically for delicate garments. Skip the fabric softener as well since this chemical can affect the stretchiness of your tights.
Don’t Ignore the Care Instructions
Every pair of tights you own have labels providing information on how you can wash them safely. Some may require cold washing, while others need to be washed in lukewarm water. The care instructions label also indicates crucial information about what you should or should not do when washing the tights. Always refer to these guidelines to preserve the quality of the garment.
Don’t Wash Your Tights with Other Garments
If possible, always wash your tights separately to prevent damage. Loading them in the washing machine with your other clothing items, especially those with hooks, zippers, and other decorative elements, can cause runs, holes, and tears in your delicate pairs. If you must wash them with your other garments, remember to put the tights inside of a mesh wash bag to minimize the risk of damaging them.
Don’t Use Hot Water When Washing
Whether you wash your tights by hand or use a washing machine, never launder with hot water. Always choose cool or lukewarm water instead, as excessive heat can damage the elasticity of the material. If you don’t want your precious pair to become ill-fitting with a saggy crotch, be sure to check the water temperature before washing.
Don’t Use the Clothesline
Although using the clothesline to dry your tights is not as damaging as the dryer, you should still avoid hanging them to dry. Using the clothesline can stretch and create unsightly marks on the fabric. Doing so can also increase the possibility of runs and scratches.
Storing Tights Do’s and Don’ts
Knowing the right way to wash your tights is not enough to make them last longer. Even if you wash them as carefully as possible, all your effort will be for naught if you store them mindlessly. Protect your precious collection and keep them organized by considering the following storage dos and don’ts:
Do Roll Them Up
To prevent crease-like marks on your tights, you should roll each pair before storing them. Fold the tights neatly, making sure to keep one leg on top and perfectly aligned with the other. Start rolling them up from the bottom and work your way up to the waistband. Repeat this process until all your tights are neatly rolled and ready for storage.
Do Consider Using Silk Bags
You can store your rolled-up tights as is, or you may use a silk bag for each pair so that you can neatly and easily organize them in your closet. Placing them in individual bags is also helpful when traveling, as you can squeeze them into your bag pockets without damaging the tights’ material.
Do Organize by Color
Consider organizing your tights in the drawer according to color. First, separate the opaque pairs from the sheer ones. Then, group them by shade. By doing so, you can readily mix and match outfits and elevate your style game.
Don’t Forget to Separate Them from Other Clothes
Make sure to not store your tights beside your other clothing items, especially those with hooks and loop fasteners. Keep them damage-free by reserving a drawer space exclusively for tights. You can also use a drawer organizer to maximize the space and help you see all your clean pairs at a glance.
Don’t Handle Your Tights with Untrimmed Fingernails
Check your fingernails before you start rolling up and organizing your tights. Keep in mind that sharp or rough nail edges can snag on the material and cause damage to your beloved pairs. If possible, trim your fingernails first before handling your tights. If you really love having long nails and can’t bear to trim them, though, then just do your best to be extra careful while storing your tights.
Don’t Throw the Packaging Away
If your collection features a large variety of tights, you probably don’t remember exactly what each one looks like. As such, you likely rummage through your tights drawer and pull them out one by one when trying to find one to match with the rest of your outfit.
Make the selection process easier by storing your tights in their original packaging—or at least, some of it. Whenever you purchase brand-new tights, cut out the part that has an image of the product. Then, place the tights and the cut-out image into a see-through organizer. Make sure that the image is visible from the front of the bag.
With this clever storage hack, you‘ll see exactly what each pair of tights looks like based on the image you included. This will save you plenty of time and effort whenever you’re picking out an outfit for the day.
Additional Tips to Preserve Your Tights
Besides observing proper washing and storing techniques, there are other things you can do to make your tights last longer. Here are some of the things you should be mindful of when wearing them, especially sheer ones:
- Take your time when putting on tights, and be extra cautious if you have long nails.
- Be careful when crossing your legs so that the heel of your shoe will not scratch or snag against your tights.
- Check wooden chairs or benches for splinters or protruding nail heads that can damage the material of your tights.
- Use clear nail polish or hairspray if you notice that your tights have a run. This will keep the damage from getting any worse.
To properly care for your tights, it’s good to know how to properly wash, dry, store, and wear them. Be sure to keep all of the above care tips in mind. That way, you can get your money’s worth and enjoy all of your beautiful pairs for many years to come.