The fastest way to ruin good activewear is the dryer. The second fastest is fabric softener. Here is the short version of how to make girls activewear last past the next growth spurt, with the why for each step.
Cold wash, inside out
Hot water breaks down the elastane that gives Italian eco-stretch its 4-way movement. Once it goes, the fabric loses recovery and the leggings sag at the knees. Cold wash (30C or lower) keeps the elastane intact for years instead of months.
Inside-out matters because the print is on the outside. Friction inside a wash drum scratches printed surfaces; turning the leggings inside out puts the unprinted side against the drum and the print stays vivid.
Skip the fabric softener
Fabric softener coats the fabric with a film designed to make cotton feel softer. Activewear fabric is engineered to wick moisture and breathe; the softener film blocks both. After a few washes with softener, even premium activewear starts feeling clammy. Use a gentle activewear wash (or just regular liquid detergent, no softener) and skip the rinse-aid.
Line dry, always
The dryer is the single biggest enemy of activewear. Heat shrinks elastane, wears down stitching, and accelerates pill formation. Line dry inside out, away from direct full sun (UV breaks down elastane too, but slower than the dryer).
If she absolutely needs them faster, lay them flat on a towel and roll the towel up to wring out the water. Then hang. Saves 30-40 minutes of drying time without the dryer damage.
Wash separately from velcro and zips
The number one cause of pulled threads on stretch fabric is rogue velcro and metal zips in the same load. School bag straps, ballet shoe ankle straps, hair clips. Either zip everything closed and tape velcro, or wash activewear in its own load.
Fold, don't hang on a hanger by the waistband
Hangers stretch the waistband over time. Fold leggings and crops in a drawer; the waistband stays its original shape and the fabric doesn't pull from the top.
The full Scout Active care recipe
- Cold wash (30C or under)
- Inside out
- Liquid detergent, no softener
- Line dry, away from direct sun
- Fold, don't hang
Done properly, a piece of Scout Active activewear will hold shape past one growth spurt and pass down to a younger sibling. Read more on the fabric, or browse the range.
