Spandex will stay elastic for a long time if treated with care. To stretch your dollars, here's how to wash spandex properly to make it last for years to come.
Spandex is a popular fabric also known as elastane. It’s a stretchable fabric used to make a garment form fitting. You can find it used in swimsuits, jeans and athletic clothing.
The anatomy of spandex
Spandex is never used alone. It is mixed with other fibers, either natural or man-made, such as cotton or polyester. The percentage of actual spandex in a garment varies. The tight fibers of spandex make it an easy target for perspiration and other odors. That's why washing spandex can be tricky if you aren't familiar with the fabric. Check the manufacturer’s label to determine how to wash the spandex, or give these tips a try to preserve the garment's shape and color.
When it's best to hand wash
Garments such as bathing suits will have a higher percentage of spandex, and should therefore be hand washed. To do this:
- Fill sink with cool to warm water and a light detergent.
- Tackle tough perspiration stains by lightly rubbing the fabric with mild soap and water first. Then let it soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Next, squeeze the soap through.
- Rinse thoroughly in cool water until the water runs clear.
What can be machine washed
Spandex mixed with cotton or polyester can be machine washed. Simply:
- Pre-treat stains with stain remover or soak dingy white spandex in a mixture of stain remover and water for about 10–20 minutes prior to washing.
- To preserve elasticity, wash garments in cool water with like colors on a gentle setting.
- Avoid washing in heavy loads with items like denim or with zippers that could snag.
- Also, don’t wash with towels or other cotton items as their lint can transfer onto the spandex.
- Add a cup of distilled white vinegar to freshen up a stinky load of athletic clothing.
- For best results, hang to air dry or tumble dry on low setting.
- Remove promptly to prevent wrinkling.
What not to do
Never use chlorine bleach. Check the manufacturer’s tag regarding chlorine-free bleach.
- An alternative to chlorine-free bleach is oxygen bleach. It breaks down into oxygen and doesn’t have the toxic side effects of regular bleach, so it’s less harmful to you and the environment.
Also, spandex should never be dry-cleaned as it can damage the fibers and lock in dry cleaning fumes.
- Generally, it’s not a good idea to iron spandex. If absolutely necessary, opt for the lowest setting possible and use a towel or cloth as a buffer between your garment and the iron.
After a lot of wear and time, spandex will eventually lose its elasticity. But if you take care to wash and dry your spandex clothing correctly, it will help keep its shape—and even help you keep yours!
