Proper Care for your Yoga Pants: Namaste the Right Way!
Alison Johnson
A nice pair of yoga pants can be a big investment. With workout season upon us, and yoga pants becoming an item of daily wear during these times, it is important to know how to properly care for your yoga pants to expand their longevity and keep them looking great:
Skip the Heat-Synthetic materials such as spandex should always be washed in cold water. Also always avoid the dryer and allow your yoga pants to air dry.
Wash Alone-Always wash yoga pants and leggings only with other yoga pants, leggings, or work-out tops made with synthetic materials. Cotton items such as t-shirts should be specifically avoided to stop pills (little lint balls) from forming. Also, remember to wash the pants inside out.
Be Gentle-Choose the gentle cycle to avoid excessive abrasion or stretching from high-speed spinning.
Less is More-avoid using large amounts of detergent. Too much soap can make yoga pants stiff, sticky and also attract bacteria, odor and cause skin irritation.
Say NO to fabric softener- Athletic clothes have a property called wicking that pulls moisture from your skin causing it to evaporate while you are working out. Fabric softener prevents wicking which will leave your sweat trapped between your skin and the pants which is a recipe for discomfort or overheating while you are on the mat.
Wash After Every Use-Whether you are drenched from hot yoga or didn't break a sweat while wearing yoga pants for everyday tasks, clothing that is worn directly on your skin gathers bacteria and creates yeast spores that will continue to multiply until the garment is washed. Leaving them in a gym bag or hamper can accelerate growth so be sure to wash them as soon as possible.
Proper care of your yoga pants can make them last longer and keep you posing in those asanas for the long haul! Namaste!