How to Wash Spandex, Elastane and Lycra So the Stretch Lasts
Spandex (also sold as elastane or Lycra) is rarely worn alone — it's the few percent blended into leggings, swimwear, denim, and activewear that gives them stretch. That small percentage is also the most fragile part of the garment, and three ordinary laundry habits destroy it: heat, chlorine, and fabric softener.
Key takeaways
- Heat, chlorine, and fabric softener destroy spandex — not the wash itself.
- Wash cold, gentle, inside out; air dry to preserve the snap-back for years.
- Fabric softener coats the fiber and blocks both stretch recovery and moisture wicking.
- Rinse swimwear in cold water immediately after chlorine or salt water.
The Three Stretch-Killers
| Enemy | What it does | Instead |
|---|---|---|
| High heat | Breaks down elastane; leggings go baggy | Wash cold, air dry |
| Chlorine bleach | Dissolves the elastic fiber | Oxygen bleach only |
| Fabric softener | Coats fibers, blocks recovery + wicking | Skip it entirely |
Wash cold on gentle, and turn items inside out to protect the surface that touches skin.
Air Dry Whenever Possible
The dryer is where stretch goes to die. Heat relaxes elastane so it can't snap back, and repeated hot cycles are why leggings sag at the knee. Lay flat or hang to dry; if you must tumble, use no-heat/air fluff.
Swimwear Needs a Rinse
Chlorine and salt water both degrade spandex. Rinse swimwear in cold tap water right after use, before oils and pool chemicals sit in the fiber. Don't wring — press water out — and never leave wet swimwear balled up.
Never Do This
- Don't use fabric softener — it's the single biggest cause of dead activewear.
- Don't tumble dry hot — heat permanently kills recovery.
- Don't bleach; chlorine dissolves elastane.