How to Wash Tights (By Hand or Machine) So They Last Longer

There's a particular kind of heartbreak in pulling your favourite tights out of the washing machine and finding a ladder running from knee to ankle. We've been selling tights at Grainvity since 2022, and "how should I wash these?" is still one of the questions we hear most, so here's everything we've learnt.

The short answer: hand wash your tights in lukewarm water with a gentle detergent, rinse them in cold water, roll them in a towel and let them air dry. If you'd rather use the washing machine, put them inside out in a mesh washbag and wash them on a 30°C delicates or wool cycle. Never tumble dry them.

How to hand wash tights

Hand washing is the gentlest option and only takes about 15 minutes, most of which is soaking.

1. Check the care label. Most tights are fine with a gentle hand wash, but embellished or velvet styles may have extra instructions.
2. Fill a sink or bowl with lukewarm water. Hot water weakens elastane and can make tights lose their shape. Add a small squeeze of mild detergent, a delicates wash or even a little shampoo.
3. Turn the tights inside out and soak them for about 10 minutes. Gently swish them around and give the feet and gusset a soft rub with your fingertips. Don't scrub, twist or stretch them.
4. Rinse in cold water until there's no soap left. Leftover detergent can leave the fabric stiff.
5. Squeeze, don't wring. Press the water out gently, then lay the tights flat on a clean towel, roll it up and press down to soak up the rest.

How to wash tights in the washing machine

Life is busy, and we won't pretend everyone hand washes. Machine washing is perfectly fine as long as you protect the tights from everything else in the drum.

1. Turn them inside out to protect prints, glitter and the outer surface of the fabric.
2. Put them in a mesh washbag or, if you don't have one, a zipped pillowcase. This stops them tangling around other clothes and catching on zips, hooks and buttons.
3. Wash with similar colours and soft fabrics. Leave out jeans, anything with Velcro and bras with hooks.
4. Choose a delicates, hand wash or wool cycle at 30°C with a low spin speed and a gentle liquid detergent. Skip the fabric softener, which can break down elastane over time.
5. Take them out as soon as the cycle finishes so they don't sit crumpled and damp in the drum.

How to dry tights without ruining them

Drying is where most tights get damaged, not washing.

• Never tumble dry. The heat breaks down the stretch fibres, so tights go baggy at the knees and ladder more easily.
• Keep them off the radiator. It's tempting in a British winter, but direct heat does the same damage as a tumble dryer, and a hot metal edge can snag the fabric.
• Hang them over a clothes airer or lay them flat on a towel, away from direct sunlight, which can fade dark and printed tights.
• Most tights dry overnight. Thicker 80 denier pairs can take a little longer, so wash them the evening before you need them.

How to wash glitter, sparkle and velvet tights

Embellished tights need a little more care, and very few washing guides mention them.

• Glitter and shimmer tights, like our Christmas Deer Shining Tights, are best washed by hand, inside out, in cool water. Don't rub the glittery areas together, and never iron them.
• Rhinestone tights, like the Peony Butterfly Shining Tights, should always be hand washed. A washing machine drum can knock stones loose. Lay them flat to dry so the weight of wet stones doesn't pull the fabric.
• Velvet tights, like our Teddy Bear Velvet Tights, should be washed inside out in cool water and dried flat to keep the soft surface from flattening.

If you're looking for party pairs this season, have a look at our Christmas tights edit, which has more glitter and sparkle styles.

Does denier change how you wash tights?

The washing method is the same, but denier changes how much care you need to take. Denier measures how thick the yarn is.

• Sheer tights (under 20 denier) are the most delicate. Hand wash them whenever you can.
• Opaque tights (80 denier and above) are much tougher. Most of our tights are 80 denier, and they handle a machine wash in a washbag well.

Thicker tights also hold dirt and sweat in the fibres, so they need a proper rinse to get all the soap out. Not sure which denier you need? Our Ultimate Guide to Women's Tights explains it.

How often should you wash tights?

Ideally after every wear, like socks or underwear. Sweat and skin oils break down the fibres over time, and clean tights actually last longer than ones worn again and again between washes. If you've only worn a pair for a few hours and they look and smell fresh, you can stretch it to two wears, but don't push it further than that.

Tights washing FAQs

Do you wash tights before wearing them for the first time?

It's a good idea, especially for tights you wear next to your skin all day. A quick hand wash removes any finishing chemicals, loose dye and dust from manufacturing and packaging, and softens the fabric. Wash dark or brightly printed pairs on their own the first time in case any colour runs. If you're short on time, glitter and rhinestone tights can be worn straight from the packet, as fewer washes keep them sparkling for longer.

What's the easiest way to wash tights if you're lazy?

Our favourite lazy method is to take them into the shower with you. Once you've finished, rub a little shampoo or body wash through the tights, rinse them under the shower, squeeze them out and hang them on the towel rail (not a heated one) to dry. It takes about two minutes. If you'd rather not do even that, keep a mesh washbag in your laundry basket and drop your tights straight into it after wearing. When it's full, zip it up and put it in with your normal 30°C wash.

How do you keep tights in good condition?

• Remove rings and bracelets and smooth any rough nails before putting tights on.
• Gather each leg up to the toe and roll the tights on, rather than pulling them up from the waist.
• Wash them inside out in a washbag at 30°C or by hand, and never tumble dry them.
• Store them folded or rolled in a drawer or fabric pouch, away from jewellery, zips and anything with hooks.
• Stop a small ladder from spreading with a dab of clear nail varnish at each end.
• Choose the right size. Tights that are too small overstretch and ladder faster.

Can you put tights in the tumble dryer?

No. The heat damages the elastane, which makes tights lose their stretch, go baggy and ladder more easily. Always air dry them.

Can you wash tights at 40 degrees?

You can, but it isn't recommended. Hotter washes weaken the stretch fibres and can fade prints. 30°C is enough to get tights clean.

A few minutes of care really does make tights last longer. Once you've got your washing routine sorted, browse our women's tights and cute tights collections for your next favourite pair.