As the weather turns cold and we put away our bathing suits… most of us have a ritual when it comes to storing our summer clothes. We gather up all our tank tops and halter tops… shorts and skirts… and toss them in the laundry pile. But there’s one thing we don’t think about: our beloved summer leggings.
Yes… leggings are incredibly comfortable year-round… but if you wash them like you do your other summer clothes… they’ll develop holes before fall is over. This is why knowing how to air dry leggings is an important part of your fall routine.
But while we know how to dry leggings properly so they last as long as possible… there are many reasons why we might choose to dry them in the dryer instead. So let’s take a look at some of the advantages (and disadvantages) of both drying methods so you can decide which one is right for you.
How Long Do Leggings Take to Air Dry?
If you have time… it is best to let your leggings air dry rather than putting them in the dryer. Many people are worried about shrinking their leggings… but this can be avoided if you hang them up or lay them flat and allow them to air out completely before wearing them again.
Air-drying your leggings is not without its challenges. Most people don’t have the luxury of hanging out in a laundromat for hours every week. That’s why many people want to know how long it takes to air dry leggings.
There are many factors that can impact how long it takes for leggings to dry… including the material… thickness… and size of the garment.
While thick… cotton-spandex blends can take longer than thinner spandex or nylon materials… a single pair of loose-fitting leggings shouldn’t take more than two hours to dry completely on a warm day if it’s outdoors. However… depending on the weather and whether or not you are air drying inside or outside it could take anywhere between 8-24 hours.
If you want to speed up the process and ensure your garments don’t shrink… place them in an airy space with room temperature air and check on them every 30 minutes or so.
Inside your home… try hanging them near a space heater or in front of a fan to circulate the warm air around them.
How Do You Air Dry Leggings?
Leggings tend to be very thin… so they will dry quickly if you hang them up or leave them in a place where the air can circulate around them. The airflow will allow the fabric to dry quickly and it will keep the fabric from getting wrinkled.
Air drying is one of the best ways to get your leggings back to their original softness… without damaging them with heat. Heat-drying can shrink your leggings and damage the elasticity they were originally made with.
Amount of time needed: 8–24 hours The amount of time necessary for air-drying will depend on the thickness of your leggings and how many you’re trying to dry at once. You’ll have better luck if you start out with less than you think you need… as it can take a little bit for leggings to dry completely when you’re air-drying them. To start… lay your leggings out flat on a table or other flat surface in a well-ventilated space (you don’t want them to mold!). Leave them out for 8 hours if you only have a few pairs to dry… or 24 hours if there are more than six pairs. Once they’ve dried… keep them stored in an area that doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Leggings are a fashion favorite… but they can be tricky to care for. Many people put them in the dryer to speed up the drying time… but this can lead to pilling… stretching… and color bleeding. Air drying leggings are definitely better than putting them in the dryer. Why? The heat can often cause the fabric to shrink. If you have a pair of leggings that are too tight… you may end up with a pair that no longer fits at all! Air drying isn’t just better for the environment; it also helps reduce wear and tear on your leggings. The tumbling action of both the washer and dryer can put stress on seams and stretch out elastic bands so that they don’t hold as well over time. Air drying prevents stretching and may help you prevent runs in your favorite pair of bottoms. Tumble drying leggings (and other clothing made of natural fibers) breaks down the fibers and end up making them stiff and uncomfortable. If you insist on tumbling your leggings… use low heat and make sure they’re not touching each other while they’re drying. To dry leggings in the dryer… place them in a low-heat setting for around 15 minutes. If you are in a hurry… though… then feel free to use the dryer. Just don’t do it too often or the fabric will start to break down faster than it normally would. If your leggings are made of spandex or another material that shouldn’t go in the dryer… put them in a mesh laundry bag and put them in the washing machine. Hang them to line dry so they don’t shrink. They will shrink on high heat. If you deliberately want to shrink your leggings try the following. Use a mesh laundry bag. Some people do not like to put their leggings in the dryer because they think it will cause them to stretch out over time. To prevent this… hang dry your leggings first so they do not get stretched out by the dryer cycle. Once they are fully dry… place them in a mesh laundry bag and throw them into the dryer with the rest of your clothing on low heat for 10-15 minutes (be sure to check the inside of each leg). This will set the shape of your leggings so they stay tight around your legs while looking their best! Lululemon leggings are quick-drying… moisture-wicking… and versatile… which makes them popular among athletes looking for comfortable workout apparel. Drying Lululemon leggings depends on their thicknesses and water temperatures. You can take steps to ensure your leggings are properly dried so they don’t shrink or fade when they’re washed. Use cold water when washing your Lulu pants because hot water causes the fabric to lose its elasticity over time. Warm water also runs the risk of shrinking. Sunny days can dry leggings in an hour or less… but when it’s cold or rainy out… or if you’re drying outside… your leggings could take up to 24 hours to dry completely. On the inside of the fabric… there are tiny pores that allow moisture to escape during the drying process. If it’s raining or very humid… these pores can get clogged with water and make leggings feel damp even after they’ve been hung to dry. When you hang your leggings on a clothesline outside… the wind can blow through those pores and help them dry. This is why we recommend laying your wet leggings flat to dry inside when it’s cold or rainy out. Washing your leggings in cold water before you wear them for the first time helps seal those pores so they have an easier time holding onto moisture and letting it evaporate. Over time… those pores can open up naturally — especially if you live in a humid climate — which means your leggings will take longer to air-dry. Lululemon leggings are made of a blend of nylon and elastane that makes them very stretchy and comfortable. They fit snugly on your body to keep you from moving around too much when you exercise. Because they are so stretchy… you need to take special care when washing them to make sure that they don’t get stretched out of shape. Line Dry or Hang Dry: All Lululemon Athletica pants are engineered to keep you cool and comfortable (and retain their shape)… so hang drying is always best. You can put your Lululemon leggings in the dryer… but only if you keep the temperature setting at no higher than warm or low heat setting. If you use high heat or permanent press setting… you will melt or shrink your leggings beyond repair. Even with these settings… it is best to line dry your Lululemon leggings outdoors if possible because they will last longer this way. We all know that Lululemon leggings are the best and will revolutionize your life… but drying them is a whole other story. If you throw them in the dryer they shrink… fade and get stiff… which is exactly what you don’t want in leggings. The reason why you should not put Lululemon leggings in the dryer is simple — heat. Heat can cause damage to the fabric and your skin. If you’re like most women… then you probably wear your lululemon leggings for workouts… and so might find yourself trying to hang them up to dry after you’ve worked out. This is fine if you want to wear them again… however… if you want to keep them looking nice and feeling soft then it’s best to simply line dry them. The best way to make sure your leggings stay in tip-top shape is to always hand wash them when they get dirty. You can also use a gentle detergent. The best way to hang dry your Lululemon pants is to leave them out overnight on the floor or on the bed so they are fully stretched out and will not be able to shrink back up after you put them into the washer the next day. In summary, Treat the leggings gently… especially if they are made of viscoelastic material and have a cotton or spandex blend. Some say that it is best to hand wash this type of legging with mild soap and hang dry. However… it is also ok to place it in the dryer in a delicate setting. Please note that this will take longer than a regular cycle. The best way to get rid of wrinkles is to use an iron on the lowest setting possible and pay attention to where you are placing the iron so you do not burn your clothes. You should only hang dry if the fabric is made from technical fabrics that have been pre-shrunk. These fabrics come with a warning label and it is important that you read them thoroughly before putting your clothes in the dryer or washing them by hand. Choosing between hand washing or machine washing your leggings depends on how much care and attention they need. You may also be interested in. Do You Have to Wash Sweatpants? and Why Do Leggings Go Baggy? Louise Wilson is an accomplished author, passionate textile historian, and renowned fashion enthusiast with a rich background in the world of apparel. Graduating with honors in Fashion Design, Louise further expanded her skills and knowledge by completing a master’s degree in Textile History. Her academic pursuits have led her to explore the fashion capitals of the world, including Milan, Paris, and New York, enriching her insights into the global world of fashion. As an author, Louise’s passion for fashion has found its way into her writings, where she intricately weaves narratives of style, design, and fashion history.Is It Better to Air Dry Leggings?
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