How to Wash and Care for Your High-Priced Yoga Pants So They Last

Treat Your Yoga Pants with Care

Yoga pants can be quite an investment, with high-end brands costing over $100 per pair. Properly caring for them will help justify the cost by increasing their longevity. By being gentle and using the right washing methods, you can keep your yoga pants looking and feeling great practice after practice.

Check the Care Instructions

As with any clothing item, check the care tag on your yoga pants. Follow any special washing, drying or other care instructions to avoid accidentally damaging the fabric or spandex. Generally, it’s best to wash yoga pants in cold water and air dry them.

Wash After Each Wear

It’s best not to let sweat and body oils accumulate in the fabric. Wash your yoga pants after wearing them, even if you only wore them for an hour. For very sweaty workouts, you may even want to rinse them out prior to washing to avoid detergent residue building up over time.

Use a Gentle Detergent

Harsh detergents can weaken elastic and fade colors prematurely. Opt for a gentle, fragrance-free detergent without brightening agents or other harsh chemicals. All Free Clear and other sensitive skin detergents are ideal.

Air Dry

The heat of electric or gas dryers can damage spandex fibers and elastic waistbands. Always air dry your yoga pants instead, either by hanging them or laying them flat. This will also help the fabric last longer between washes by reducing lint and pilling.

FAQ

How often should I wash my yoga pants?

Wash your yoga pants after every wear to prevent sweat and body oils from building up in the fabric over time.

Can I put my yoga pants in the dryer?

It’s best not to put your yoga pants in the dryer, as the heat can damage elastic and spandex fibers. Always air dry them instead by hanging or laying flat.

What temperature should I wash yoga pants in?

Always wash yoga pants in cold water, even if the care tag doesn’t specify, to protect the spandex and prevent colors from fading.

Will vinegar help set the color of my new yoga pants?

Vinegar is too harsh for performance fabrics like yoga pants. It’s best to wash them in cold water with a gentle detergent, and air dry to help set colors and prevent damage.

Can I wear my yoga pants more than once without washing?

It’s best to wash your yoga pants after every wear, as body oils and sweat can accumulate and lead to faster breakdown of the performance fabric’s fibers.