Good dancewear is an investment, and a little care makes it last far longer. Leotards, tights and especially velvet are made from delicate stretch fabrics that heat, harsh detergents and the dryer will slowly destroy. Here is how to wash and care for it all so it keeps its shape, colour and stretch.
The golden rules
- Wash in cold water on a gentle cycle, or by hand.
- Skip the fabric softener. It coats stretch fibres and ruins their recovery.
- Never tumble dry. Heat is what kills the elastane that gives dancewear its stretch.
- Air dry flat or on a rail, out of direct sun.
Washing leotards
Turn leotards inside out and wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle, ideally inside a mesh laundry bag to protect straps and trims. Use a mild detergent and no softener. Reshape while damp and dry flat or hang, never in the dryer. Doing this keeps the colour rich and the fabric snug rather than stretched and dull. Browse the range in our leotards collection.
Caring for tights
Dance tights last much longer with gentle treatment. Hand wash, or use a gentle cold cycle in a mesh bag to stop them snagging on other items. If you catch a snag, trim the loose thread rather than pulling it. Air dry, never tumble. A spare pair in the dance bag saves many a concert day panic.
Velvet dancewear
Velvet is the most delicate of all and deserves extra care. Wash velvet pieces inside out in cold water on the gentlest cycle, or by hand. Never wring or twist them. Lay flat to dry, and if you need to freshen the pile, use a garment steamer rather than an iron, which can crush and mark the velvet.
Stage makeup and marks
Foundation on collars and necklines is common after performances. Treat marks promptly and gently, dabbing rather than rubbing, and avoid harsh stain removers on delicate fabrics. The sooner you deal with it, the better it lifts.
Storing dancewear
Fold stretchy items rather than hanging them for long periods, which can stretch the shoulders and straps over time. Keep everything out of direct sunlight, which fades colour, and make sure pieces are completely dry before they go away to avoid any musty smell.
Quality dancewear, looked after well, goes the distance. Browse the range at Total Dance.
Shop leotards Shop tights and socksFrequently asked questions
How do you wash a leotard?
Turn it inside out and wash in cold water on a gentle cycle in a mesh bag, with mild detergent and no fabric softener. Reshape while damp and air dry flat or hang. Never tumble dry.
Can you put a leotard in the dryer?
No. The dryer's heat breaks down the elastane that gives a leotard its stretch, so it loses shape and fit. Always air dry dancewear.
How do you wash dance tights?
Hand wash, or use a gentle cold cycle in a mesh bag so they do not snag. Trim any snags rather than pulling them, and air dry. Never tumble dry.
How do you wash velvet dancewear?
Wash inside out in cold water on the gentlest cycle or by hand, never wring or twist, and lay flat to dry. Freshen the pile with a garment steamer rather than an iron.
Why should you not use fabric softener on dancewear?
Fabric softener coats the stretch fibres in leotards and tights, which stops them recovering their shape and can leave a residue. Skip it and use a mild detergent instead.
