How to Care For Spandex Fabric and Keep It Looking Good

Spandex fabric is an elastic, heat-set, artificial fiber that stretches up to 500% of its length and then returns to its original form. It’s also resistant to sweat, detergents, body oils, and lotions.

Because it stretches, spandex garments should be cared for differently than other fabrics. Whether you’re hand-washing or machine-washing your spandex, follow these tips to help you keep it looking good and comfortable for years to come!

Washing

If you’re a lover of spandex clothing, it’s important to know how to care for your fabric and keep it looking good. Spandex, also known as Lycra or elastane, is an incredibly popular material that’s used in all sorts of clothing, including workout gear.

It’s essential to wash your spandex fabric properly to maintain its elasticity and keep it looking new. This means checking the percentage of spandex in each garment to determine how much it needs to be washed and dried to preserve its shape and elasticity.

Generally, it’s best to hand wash your spandex-containing clothing. This prevents the mechanical movement of your washing machine from stretching or damaging your clothes’ elasticity.

However, you can use a washing machine if you’re short on time or prefer the convenience of this method. Just make sure to set your washer to the delicate cycle and run it on a lower temperature setting than usual.

You can also soak your spandex-containing clothing in a solution of cold water and a mild liquid detergent to help eliminate any stains. Avoid using hot water or chemical stain removers, as these will permanently damage your spandex-containing clothing.

To prevent odors from developing on your spandex-containing clothing, try soaking it in a solution of cool water and baking soda before you wash it. Baking soda is a mild, alkaline powder that raises the pH of your laundry and inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Drying

Spandex fabric is often used in athletic and form-fitting garments because it stretches 5-8 times its original size. This makes it an ideal material for sportswear because it allows you to move without sacrificing the shape of your body.

If you want to care for your spandex clothing, you must wash and dry it properly. Putting it in the dryer will shrink it permanently, so try to air-dry your clothes as much as possible and use the lowest heat setting.

Cool water and mild detergent are the best way to wash your spandex fabric. Putting it in the washer with other fabrics is not recommended since it can be easily blended with other fibers and could cause the other fabrics to snag and break.

It is also important to remember that elastane does not do well with high heat. Putting full elastane items, such as bathing suits or leggings, into the dryer will cause the fabric fibers to weaken and break.

The easiest way to avoid this is to separate your items and only run them through the dryer once or twice. Alternatively, you can hand-wash your spandex garments by filling a basin with cold water and adding some Active Detergent before submerging the item for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly and let it dry on a rack.

Stain Removal

Stains can be a real pain, but they don’t have to ruin your outfit. If you follow a few basic rules, you can get rid of stains quickly and easily.

The first rule is to act promptly and treat a stain right away when it occurs rather than let it set. This prevents the stain from bedding into the fabric and makes removing it more difficult.

Second, be sure to use the right product for the job. Some products are designed specifically for certain fabrics. Check the care label on your garment to determine if the product is suitable for use with the specific material.

Third, always follow the instructions on the label, which should explain how to apply the stain-removing product. For example, some stains are better removed using a sponge or white paper towel, while others require a cloth.

Fourth, never try to scrub a stain, as this can make it worse. Instead, dab it gently or soak the entire stain in cold water, then apply a mild liquid detergent.

Fifth, do not use chlorine bleach on elastane-based fabrics such as spandex. This can cause yellowing.

For other stains, sponge the spot with cool water or apply a stain-removing stick, spray, or gel. Then, use a damp cloth to wipe up the excess liquid. Finally, place the affected area between dry absorbent material to help remove any remaining moisture.

Repairing

Spandex is a fabric that allows you to stretch out clothes and return them almost back to their original size and shape. It’s also very durable and can be washed many times.

It’s important to repair your spandex fabric as soon as you notice a hole. If you don’t fix a hole immediately, it can get worse and cause the surrounding material to tighten up.

You can use a simple patch method to fix a hole in the spandex fabric. This can be done with a sewing machine or by hand, depending on your skill level.

To make the best patch, cut out a piece of spare spandex slightly bigger in diameter than the hole. Place the patch over the hole and sew it with a zigzag stitch.

When mending spandex, you’ll want to use a thread with a bit of give in it so that the stitches don’t snag on the fabric. If you’re sewing by hand, use a needle that’s small enough to pierce the fabric’s fibers without poking it too deeply.

It’s also a good idea to place your spandex garment inside a mesh laundry bag to help prevent the elastane fibers from snagging. Always wash your elastane clothing in cold water and hang it to dry whenever possible.