How to Care for Your Leggings: Washing and Drying Without Pilling

Quick answer

To keep leggings smooth and pilling-free, wash them inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle, skip fabric softener, and air dry flat. If you must use a dryer, choose low heat and remove them while slightly damp.

Leggings are a daily staple, but they can lose their softness and start pilling after just a few washes. The good news: most pilling and fabric wear come from how you wash and dry them, not from the leggings themselves. With a few simple adjustments, you can keep your favorite pairs looking and feeling new for months.

Whether you wear active leggings for workouts or lounge pairs for cozy days, the care routine is similar. The key is to reduce friction, avoid high heat, and let the fabric dry naturally. Here’s how to wash leggings the right way and prevent pilling before it starts.

Why leggings pill and how to prevent it

Pilling happens when short fibers on the surface of the fabric tangle into tiny balls. Friction is the main culprit—from rubbing against other clothes in the wash, against your thighs when you walk, or against the dryer drum. Fabrics like cotton and polyester blends are more prone to pilling, especially when washed with rough items like jeans or towels.

To prevent leggings pilling, turn them inside out before washing. This protects the outer surface from rubbing against other garments. Wash them with similar soft fabrics, like t-shirts or other activewear, and avoid overloading the machine. Less friction means fewer pills.

• Wash leggings inside out to protect the outer fabric.
• Use a mesh laundry bag for extra protection.
• Skip fabric softener—it coats fibers and increases friction.

How to wash leggings: water temperature and detergent

Cold water is your best friend when washing leggings. Hot water can break down elastic fibers, causing leggings to lose their stretch and shape over time. Cold water also helps prevent color fading and keeps the fabric smooth.

Choose a gentle liquid detergent that’s free of bleach and optical brighteners. Powdered detergents can leave residue that makes fabric feel stiff. If you use a washing machine, select the delicate or gentle cycle with a low spin speed. Hand washing is even gentler—just swish them in cool water with a small amount of detergent, then rinse thoroughly.

• Use cold water (below 85°F) for all leggings.
• Pick a gentle, liquid detergent without bleach.
• Hand wash if you want maximum control and minimal wear.

Drying leggings: air dry vs. dryer

Air drying is the safest way to dry leggings. High heat in a dryer can damage elastic fibers, causing leggings to sag or lose their compression. It also increases friction, which leads to pilling. Lay them flat on a clean towel or drying rack, away from direct sunlight, and reshape them while damp to maintain their fit.

If you’re in a hurry and must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting and remove leggings while they’re still slightly damp. Never use a high-heat cycle or dry them with heavy items like towels. Hanging leggings to dry can stretch them out, especially if they’re wet, so flat drying is preferred.

• Air dry flat to prevent stretching and pilling.
• If using a dryer, use low heat and remove while damp.
• Avoid hanging wet leggings—gravity can stretch them.

Caring for active leggings during workouts

Active leggings are designed to move with you, but sweat and body oils can break down fabric over time. Rinse them in cold water right after a workout if you can’t wash them immediately. This removes sweat and bacteria before they set in.

Don’t wring or twist leggings to remove excess water—this can distort the fabric. Instead, press them gently between two towels to absorb moisture. This extra step helps maintain the shape and smoothness of your active leggings.

• Rinse active leggings soon after workouts to remove sweat.
• Press with a towel instead of wringing.
• Wash them after every few wears, not just when they look dirty.

Diagnosis: Is your leggings care routine causing pilling?

• Symptom: Pills on the inner thighs or rear: This is usually from friction during wear, not washing. The fabric rubs against itself as you walk. If pills are already formed, use a fabric shaver to remove them. Going forward, wash inside out and reduce wear friction by choosing smoother fabrics.
• Symptom: Pills all over the surface: This points to washing with rough items like jeans or towels, or using a high-heat dryer. Adjust your washing routine: separate leggings from heavy fabrics, use cold water, and air dry flat. This should stop new pilling.
• Symptom: Leggings lose shape or sag: High heat in the dryer or hot water can break down elastic fibers. If the elastic is damaged, no washing routine will restore the fit. Consider replacing the pair. For future pairs, always wash cold and air dry.

Products that support your leggings care routine

• Hand Towel Set of 2 - Sunnyside: 100% cotton terry, 600 GSM, Oeko-Tek certified, sustainably sourced cotton. Use these soft, absorbent towels to press excess water from your leggings after washing—gentler than wringing and helps prevent fabric distortion.
• Wind Down Tee: 100% cotton jersey, 140 GSM lightweight fabric, water-based print, machine washable. Pair your leggings with a soft cotton tee that you can wash together on a gentle cycle—matching fabric weights reduce friction and help prevent pilling.

Caring for your leggings doesn’t have to be complicated. Wash them inside out in cold water, skip the dryer when you can, and press out moisture with a soft towel. These simple habits will keep your leggings smooth, stretchy, and pilling-free for many wears to come.