You spent a hefty amount on those gym leggings. They fit perfectly, move with you, and somehow make a grocery run look intentional. The last thing you want is to pull them out of the dryer looking like a fuzz ball that's been through a paper shredder.
Here's the truth: most athleisure damage doesn't happen at the gym but in the laundry. The wrong cycle, the wrong detergent, or too many trips through a hot dryer, and your favorite pair of joggers never looks the same again.
This guide shares pro tips on how to wash athleisure so that it holds its shape, stays pill-free, and comes out smelling actually great.
Why athleisure is tricky to wash
Athleisure fabrics such as spandex, nylon, polyester, bamboo, and moisture-wicking blends are engineered to perform. They stretch, breathe, and bounce back. But that same technology makes them more sensitive to heat, harsh chemicals, and aggressive agitation than regular cotton.
High heat breaks down the elastic fibers that give leggings their stretch. Heavy-duty detergents with synthetic fillers coat the fabric and trap odor over time instead of releasing it. Fabric softener does the same. It sounds like a good idea, but it clogs the moisture-wicking channels and leaves a residue that makes your workout clothes smell worse after just one or two uses.
The good news: washing athleisure the right way is simple once you know what you're doing. Read on to learn how to wash leggings and other spandex clothing.
Steps to wash athleisure
Follow these 7 steps on how to wash spandex, and your athleisure will look and feel great even after multiple washes.
Step 1: Sort your athleisure separately
Keep your leggings, sports bras, joggers, and athletic tops in their own load. If you do mix in other items, make sure they're similarly lightweight and smooth.
Washing athleisure with heavy items like jeans, zip-up hoodies, or towels creates friction in the drum, and friction is what causes piling.
Tip: Turn everything inside out before washing since the outer surface of athleisure is the most vulnerable to abrasion.
Step 2: Check for stains and pre-treat
Sweat, deodorant buildup, and the occasional coffee splash are the usual suspects with athleisure. Check them before washing - not after.
Apply a small amount of detergent directly to the stained area, gently work it in with your fingers, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before loading the machine. Avoid aggressive scrubbing.
Tip: For deodorant buildup around underarms (the white residue that builds up over time), a short soak before washing can help loosen it without damaging the fabric.
Step 3: Use a gentle, enzyme-based detergent
Choosing the right detergent can have a significant impact on the results. It is essential to go with a gentle detergent that helps prevent fuzz and piling.
Mozi Wash can be the right fit in this case. It is specifically formulated with plant-based cleansers and a full enzyme blend. You only need 1-2 tablespoons per load. Fewer products in the drum mean less residue on your clothes.
Note: The wrong detergent doesn't just leave residue; it actively degrades the elastic fibers in spandex and polyester blends over repeated washes.
Step 4: Skip the fabric softener
Fabric softener and athleisure are a poor combination. Softener deposits a thin waxy coating on fabric fibers to make them feel smoother. However, that coating blocks the pores in the fabric that allow sweat to evaporate.
The result? Clothes that feel soft coming out of the dryer but start smelling stale much faster. Over time, softener buildup also reduces stretch and makes fabrics feel heavy and clingy.
Tip: If you're using a quality detergent like Mozi Wash, with glycerin and plant-based softening agents already built into the formula, you genuinely don't need a separate softener. Your athleisure will come out feeling fresh and soft on its own.
Step 5: Wash on cold, gentle cycle
Set the water to cold and the cycle to gentle or delicate. This is the single most important setting for preserving athleisure.
Heat is the enemy of spandex and elastic blends. Even warm water, not just hot, can begin to relax the elastic fibers that give compression and shape retention. Over time, the waistband gets loose, the fabric gets saggy, and the fit just never feels quite right again.
Tip: Cold water cleans just as effectively as warm water when you're using a detergent with a good enzyme profile. The gentle cycle also reduces mechanical agitation, which means less friction in the drum.
Step 6: Use a mesh laundry bag for delicates
Place athleisure items with delicate straps or thin elastic in a mesh laundry bag before putting them in the washer.
The mesh bag limits direct contact with the drum and with other fabrics, reducing the friction that leads to pilling and snags. It also helps sports bras keep their shape, especially padded or underwire styles that can warp during an aggressive wash cycle.
Tip: You can find mesh laundry bags for just a few dollars, and one set will last for years.
Step 7: Air dry whenever you can or use low heat
The absolute best way to dry athleisure is to lay it flat or hang it to air dry. Whether you are washing yoga pants, or leggings, let them air dry.
This preserves the fabric structure completely, keeps the elastic at full tension, and prevents the subtle warping that happens in the drum over repeated cycles. Never use dryer sheets with athleisure.
Note: If you need to use the dryer, set it to the lowest heat setting possible. Remove the pieces while they're still slightly damp and let them finish air drying. This cuts down on heat exposure dramatically while still saving you time.
A few more habits that make a difference
For athleisure fabric care, follow these habits regularly:
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Don't let sweaty clothes sit for hours, but wash or at least hang them to air out as soon as you can after a workout. Otherwise, it breaks down fibers faster and sets odors in a way that's hard to reverse.
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Wash after every wear. Unlike jeans or a structured blazer, athleisure worn during exercise should be washed after each use.
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Don't overload the machine. A packed drum means more friction between pieces, which leads to more pilling. Give your athleisure room to move freely.
The right detergent does more than you think
When you wash your athleisure with Mozi Wash, you're not just cleaning it; the enzyme blend is actively working to maintain the fabric. Cellulase smooths fibers to reduce pilling. Protease lifts the protein residue from sweat that makes workout clothes smell even after washing. Lipase clears out body oils that accumulate in the fabric over time.
No harsh chemicals, no synthetic fillers, no hormone disruptors. Just a plant-based laundry detergent designed to clean and treat your clothes well. And when you pull those leggings out of the wash, and they smell like Alpine Woods or Malibu Mornings - that's just a bonus.
FAQs about Washing Athleisure
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Can I wash athleisure with regular clothes?
It is advised to clean athleisure and regular clothes separately. Heavy items like jeans and towels create friction that can cause pilling and fabric damage.
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Should I use fabric softener on workout clothes?
No. Fabric softener can clog moisture-wicking fibers, trap odors, and reduce the stretch and performance of athleisure fabrics over time.
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Is it okay to put athleisure in the dryer?
Air drying is the safest option. If you need to use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove garments while slightly damp to minimize heat damage.
