How to Wash a Leotard

After paying $35-$200 for that gymnastics or dance leotard, you don't want to ruin it in the laundry! Here's how to wash it so it will stay new-looking and last as long as it is needed.

Edit Steps

Keep the "care tags." Almost all leotards come with specific washing instructions on an attached tag when you buy them. Keep these and follow the manufacturer's directions for care that may be different from these instructions.
- Keep a digital record of the tags, so that they can be found quickly and easily whenever needed again. Simply scan or take a photo of them and place in your Household folder.

Check for stains or marks. Usually all you have to wash out of a leotard is sweat and chalk dust, but it's good to give it a quick check in case something else managed to get on there. If there is a stain, spot-clean it with a stain stick or gentle pre-wash liquid according to the product directions. Don't toss it in the hamper where you might forget the stain or where it could be stained again by other dirty items.

Determine whether or not to hand-wash. Some daily-wear leotards can go in a washing machine, but it is always better for the fabric if you take just a few minutes to hand-wash it. Metallic threads, foil or other effects, and rhinestones will quickly dull with wear and repeated washing and machine-washing will hasten this problem.
- Never put a competition leotard in the washing machine! These are usually the most expensive, and the most difficult to replace because they are often special-ordered. Take extra care and always hand-wash them.
- Leotards with white or lighter-colored fabrics pieced with darker fabrics should also be hand-washed carefully to prevent the darker color from leaking into the white/lighter color.

Method One: Machine Washing

Turn the leotard inside-out. This is absolutely vital when washing a leotard in a machine, and will prolong the life of the fabric and any ornaments by reducing direct wear. Metallic or other special finishes will wear-out very quickly when washed face-out either in a machine or by hand.

Machine wash daily-wear leotards with care. If you choose to use a washing machine, wash on the delicate cycle in a smaller-size load with plenty of water. Remove promptly from the machine.

Method Two: Hand Washing

As noted above, it is best to hand wash with the leotard turned inside out.

Hand-wash in cold water, with a mild detergent. Prepare the water and detergent according to product directions. Cold water is almost always best. Use at least enough water that the leotard would be completely covered; more water is better than less.

Squeeze the soapy water all through the fabric for a minute or so. Unless there is a new stain that requires gentle rubbing to remove, do not rub the fabric against itself or anything else. It doesn't need scrubbing or soaking.

Rinse in clear water. Gently squeeze the fabric to make sure all detergent is removed and the water runs clear. Do not wring the leotard. Squeeze with a towel to remove any extra water.

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Edit Tips

Change out of your leotard as quickly as possible, to prevent it from getting dirty outside of class/competition.

It's best to hang your leotards rather than jumble them in a drawer or gym/dance bag. This will reduce the risk of having lotion, hairspray, etc. leak all over on them. It will also make it much easier to quickly find the one you want!

Hang or lay flat to dry. If you hang the leotard outside to dry, be sure to keep the fabric out of any direct sunlight, which can also cause damage. Inside, hang them away from heat vents or windows.You can also use a dryer with super low heat if needed.

Edit Warnings

Do not wring-out a wet leotard. Use a towel to squeeze out any excess water.

Do not iron a leotard. Leotard fabrics stretch to fit the wearer and any wrinkles will disappear as soon as they are put on.

Do not ever put a leotard in a heated dryer. This will damage the elastic properties of the fabric, dramatically increase wear on metallic or other effects fabric or ornaments, and may even shrink the leotard. If you must use a dryer, use a no-heat setting and make sure the leotard is inside-out.

Do not ever use bleach on a leotard. It will damage the elastic properties of the fabric.

Just as leotards with light/dark color combinations should be hand-washed, they should also be hung carefully to prevent color leaks. Hang them with the darker fabric area down so that any water dripping downward will not run the darker color into the lighter color.