How to Wash Lycra

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 18, 2020 Approved

Lycra is a stretchy fiber common in lingerie and sportswear. Washing it properly involves limiting exposure to heat and stretching. Use low heat settings when machine washing the Lycra. To clean by hand, soak the Lycra in cold water and rub detergent into stains. Dry the clothing flat on a towel to keep it stronger for longer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Using the Washing Machine

1
Stuff the Lycra into a mesh bag. A mesh laundry bag holds clothing so it is protected during the machine cycle. The tumbling of the machine makes it easy for a button or other object to get stuck in loose Lycra and stretch it. If you don’t have a bag, try an old pillow case.
2
Add a mild detergent to the machine. Don’t use anything harsh to clean the Lycra. Get a detergent made for delicate clothing or even athletic wear. Add the detergent after the machine fills with water, if possible.^{[1]
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- To remove bad odors, add a splash of vinegar to the wash. Place it in the fabric softener slot. Make sure your detergent doesn’t have chlorine in it when using vinegar.
- Never use chlorine bleach to treat Lycra.
3
Set the washer for a delicates cycle. Lycra needs to be washed in cold water so heat doesn’t ruin the fibers. The delicate setting, if your washer has one, uses cold water and minimal tumbling. Choose the lowest heat setting on your device. The water temperature should be no more than 86℉ (30℃).^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Washing Lycra by Hand

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Wash the Lycra in a sink or tub. Fill the container with enough water to soak the clothing. Make sure the water is cold or lukewarm before adding the item. Never clean Lycra with hot water. It’ll cause stains to set as well as damage the item’s threads.
2
Mix a half a cap of detergent into the water. Pick a mild laundry soap such as one made for delicates. It shouldn’t have any chlorine bleach in it. Mix in the detergent so it appears soapy.
3
Rub a mild detergent into stains. Put a little bit of the soap on your finger. Be gentle. Don’t try to scrub out the stains. Rub the detergent into the stains to help lift them.^{[3]
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4
Add vinegar to get rid of stubborn odors. To combat bad odors such as from after a workout, treat the Lycra with vinegar. Add one part vinegar to four parts water. Let the clothing soak for at least 30 minutes. Lycra that doesn’t smell badly doesn’t need to be treated this way.
- A cup of baking soda can also be substituted in for the vinegar.
- Treat stains before tackling odors.
5
Rinse off the Lycra. Place the clothing under cold or lukewarm running water. Again, don’t use hot water. Use the water to remove any detergent left on the Lycra.^{[4]
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Squeeze out excess water. Don’t wring the clothing. Be very gentle to avoid damaging the fibers. Squeeze out what you can, then move on to drip drying the Lycra.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Drying Lycra

1
Roll the Lycra up in a towel. Lay a towel flat. Place the Lycra item in the center of the towel. Next, fold the edges up over the clothing. Roll up the clothing. Gently squeeze out excess water, then lay the towel and clothing flat again.^{[5]
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2
Air dry away from direct sunlight. Heat and direct sunlight are damaging to the stretchy Lycra fibers. To keep your clothing fresh, pick a safe area. Find an out of the way area where you can lay out a towel.^{[6]
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- Hang drying is a quicker alternative, but the water pulling downwards will stretch out the Lycra over time.
- Avoid using an iron on full Lycra clothing. On Lycra blends, if you still want to risk ironing, use as low a heat setting as possible.
3
Machine dry the clothing on a low heat setting. Set the laundry bag filled with Lycra items in the dryer. The heat of a dryer can be harmful to the stretch of the fabric, so pick the lowest heat setting you can find. Pick the delicates setting, if your machine has it, or a low heat tumble dry.^{[7]
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- Air drying is the better alternative. Machine dry only when you’re short on time.
- Don’t use fabric softener when Lycra is being dried.