The fastest way to ruin good activewear is the dryer. The second fastest is fabric softener. If you want girls activewear to last past the next growth spurt, the care routine matters as much as the quality of the fabric. Here is exactly what to do, and why each step makes a difference.
Cold wash, inside out, every time
Hot water breaks down elastane. That is the fibre giving Italian eco-stretch its 4-way movement and its ability to bounce back after a session. Once elastane degrades, the fabric loses recovery and the leggings sag at the knees after a few washes. Cold wash at 30C or lower keeps it intact for years instead of months.
Turn everything inside out before it goes in. The print sits on the outer surface. Friction inside a wash drum scratches and cracks printed designs over time. Turning the garment inside out puts the plain inner fabric in the firing line instead.
Skip the fabric softener
Fabric softener coats fibres with a waxy residue. On activewear, that coating blocks the moisture-wicking properties built into the fabric. It also breaks down elastane faster. Use a small amount of gentle liquid detergent instead. Nothing labelled "biological" or "enzyme-based" if the fabric is a printed eco-stretch, as those formulas can affect dye stability over time.
Mesh bags for leggings and crop tops
A mesh laundry bag reduces friction and stops straps and waistbands from catching on zips or other garments. It takes about ten seconds to use and noticeably extends how long fine-knit activewear holds its shape. Worth it.
Never use the dryer
Heat is the single biggest enemy of stretch fabric. Even a low-heat dryer cycle will shrink the elastane content, distort waistbands, and cause colours to fade faster. Lay garments flat to dry in the shade or hang them in a well-ventilated area away from direct sun. Direct sunlight bleaches colour gradually, particularly on darker prints.
Wash after every wear
Sweat, sunscreen, and body oils sit in the fabric between sessions. Left unwashed, they degrade fibres from the inside out. This matters most for leggings and crop tops worn to dance class, gymnastics, or sport where the child is active for an hour or more. A quick cold wash after each session is far better for the fabric than leaving it.
Store it properly between washes
Folded flat in a drawer is fine. Avoid leaving activewear scrunched at the bottom of a dance bag for days between sessions. The combination of residual moisture and compression creases affects the fabric recovery over time, particularly at seams and waistbands.
What this means for sizing during a growth spurt
Good care habits mean garments hold their shape and sizing longer. A leotard or pair of leggings that has been washed correctly will still measure true to size after fifty washes. One that has been through the dryer twice may have shrunk enough to be unwearable. If you are trying to get the most out of each size before moving up, the wash routine makes a real difference. For guidance on buying ahead of a growth spurt without wasting money, this article on sizing activewear for girls who are growing fast covers exactly that.
A quick checklist for every wash
- Cold wash, 30C or lower
- Turn garments inside out
- Use a mesh laundry bag
- Gentle liquid detergent, no fabric softener
- No dryer, dry flat in shade
- Wash after every active session
Fabric quality makes care easier
Activewear made from lower-quality fabrics requires more effort to maintain and still degrades faster. Italian eco-stretch and recycled performance fabrics are more forgiving of real-world washing, and they hold colour and shape noticeably better over time. If you are buying new pieces and want to know what to look for, this guide to choosing sustainable girls activewear in Australia is worth a read before you purchase.
Browse our girls dance, gym and sports activewear for pieces made to handle weekly washing without losing their shape or colour. Everything is selected with active kids in mind.
